Artist Cynthia Lennon dies aged 75

Artist Cynthia Lennon - who was married to The Beatles musician John Lennon from 1962 until 1968 - passed away at her home in Spain  at age75, a statement on the website of the couple's son, Julian Lennon, has confirmed.

The message read: ''Cynthia Lennon passed away today at her home in Mallorca, Spain following a short but brave battle with cancer.

''Her son Julian Lennon was at her bedside throughout. The family are thankful for your prayers.

''Please respect their privacy at this difficult time.''

Cynthia - who was formerly known by her maiden name Powell - met the singer/songwriter in the 1960s at a calligraphy class at Liverpool College of Art, before they married and had their only child together in 1963.

However, the couple separated in 1968 when he left her for artist Yoko Ono, after which she married twice more, before separating from her third husband, engineer John Twist, in 1983.

After the separation - and John's death in 1980 - she changed her name back to Lennon, although was later married nightclub owner Noel Charles from 2002 until he died in 2013.

During her life, Cynthia wrote two books about her ill-fated relationship with the iconic musician: 'A Twist of Lennon' in 1980, and 'John', which was released in 2005.