Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono’s relationship was marked with resentment for a while, but both have moved beyond that over the years. The Beatles’ frontman and John Lennon’s widow have transitioned into a friendlier and more cordial relationship, much to the surprise of fans who had grown used to the negative headlines surrounding their relationship.
In his 2025 biography Yoko, author David Sheff explored Yoko’s feelings about McCartney, detailing how their friendship was marred by bitterness due to Yoko’s presence in the studio while recording The White Album. McCartney himself admitted that he found Yoko to be an “interference” in the band’s creative process.
Yoko Ono and Paul McCartney came to an understanding
While McCartney once expressed his dislike for Yoko, they eventually developed a “genuine” bond. By the time Yoko reached her eighties, the resentment had faded, and they were able to share more friendly visits, proving a significant change. This was more evident when McCartney referred to Yoko as “bada–,” a far cry from his earlier criticism.
McCartney has since clarified that Yoko was not responsible for The Beatles’ breakup. In interviews, he has even defended her role in the band’s history, debunking the myth that she was the reason for their dissolution while expressing admiration for her and acknowledging her influence in a positive light.
Yoko Ono’s legal battle with Paul McCartney
Yoko and McCartney both experienced a period of disagreement regarding The Beatles’ song credits, with Yoko demanding that the original credit line be kept intact. McCartney had been attempting to reverse the order of the credit sequence to read McCartney-Lennon, but Yoko wanted to maintain her late lover’s position in the Lennon-McCartney collaboration.
Over time, McCartney gave in and accepted her ordering of the credits while taking pride in his collaborative effort with John Lennon. His relationship with Yoko has greatly matured ever since, and he has expressed gratitude to Yoko for her impact on John’s life and work.