Maureen Starkey

Maureen Starkey Tigrett, née Mary Cox  (4 August 1946–30 December 1994) was the first wife of Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) the drummer of the Beatles.

Early Life
Mary Cox was born on August 4, 1946 in Liverpool, England. She was the only child of Joseph and Florence Cox. She left school at fourteen to be a hairdresser, and at around this time changed her name to "Maureen". To her friends, she was known as "Mo".

Knowing Ringo and courtship
At the age of fourteen, Maureen was interested in the Merseybeat sound. The band liked more was The Beatles, who had been in the Cavern in which Maureen assisted frequently. In the Cavern, he met John Brynne, who belonged to the group: "Rory Storm and The Hurricanes", which also had been drummer Ringo. Ringo and Maureen by then, had already known but they were just friends because Maureen and John became a regular partner until 1962, and Ringo also get to have a steady partner: Geraldine McGorven (who became partner until 1961). Since the break with John Brynne, Ringo was interested in, and I opted to conquer.

One night, her friend challenged her to stay to wait for Paul McCartney outside the dressing rooms, and for Maureen and Paul to make out. She hoped to also get Ringo out of the dressing room, and when she saw him, threw himself on and kiss him as best he could.

Weeks later, Maureen noticed Ringo's truck, and Maureen ran to where the ask for an autograph was going. When Ringo was going, Maureen pointed plate number of the truck, who recalled the evolution of his death.

They began to leave until their relationship became known. Maureen was still going to the Cavern to observe the actions of the Beatles. But his stay in the cave was dangerous for her. Because some day, Maureen Ringo waited in his truck, a girl approached him and asked if Ringo was the girlfriend, Maureen ofcourse that nego, but the girl began to spin and told him to leave to fight or else you face would break. The girls began to threaten her when they learned she was dating Ringo, an occasion almost killed and was struck by the fans. In September 1963, Ringo invited her to go to Greece together with Paul and his girlfriend (at the time) Jane Asher. Maureen went to Greece without the permission of her parents, afraid that they would not give her permission to go, but her parents ended up finding out through the newspapers.

While not as beloved by fans, Maureen answered the letters they wrote to Ringo.

The courtship of her and Ringo would end for a time in 1964 when, since then, the Beatles were doing more and more famous. When Ringo was operated tonsils, Maureen went to visit. Ringo proposed to Maureen in the hospital, and she accepted.

Married with Ringo
January 1965, Maureen discovered she was a month pregnant. Taking eighteen, the news left her perplexed and Ringo was better tell at once. When Ringo told the news, he took it lightly but to take care of your image with the Beatles, told him to keep everything secret until their marriage was announced.

On February 11, 1965 at 8:00 am, Ringo and Maureen were married, at Caxton Hall Registry Office. The best man was Brian Epstein and the reception was at Brian's house.

Life with Ringo and childrens
The marriage was fine for a while. Maureen was always awake late into the night waiting for Ringo to serve you a hot meal. On September 13 de1965, was born the first son of Starkey: Zak. National Maternity Hospital in Queen Charlotte, the same day on which the single "Yesterday" went on sale. The August 19, 1967, was born the second son of Starkey: Jason. And finally, on November 17, 1970, was born the third child of the marriage Starkey.

Starkey marriage problems
By the time Lee was born in 1970, Ringo had already aburido of all and the marriage was already in trouble. When the Beatles broke up in 19701, so did the marriage Starkey; Ringo's infidelities and his increasing alcoholism became a problem for the whole family. In 1972, Starkey visited the Harrison. George, at the time (alcohol or drugs) confessed how much he loved Maureen. (A rumor says Ringo proposed to swap partners, IS JUST A RUMOR).Maureen was a small affair with George. Despite all the problems facing marriage, Maureen did not want a divorce.

End of marriage Starkey
Ringo insisted that it was better to divorce, so divorce Maureen accept reluctantly. In July 1975, the couple separated at Ringo's affair with the American model Nancy Andrews discovered.

Maureen life after the end of her marriage to Ringo
In the early 80s, Maureen began a relationship with the owner of the Hard Rock Cafe, Isaac Tigrett. There was an attempt of reconciliation between Maureen and Ringo when he finished with Nancy, but it was too late because Ringo had been in love with his partner from the movie "The Cavern", Barbara Bach. So Maureen return to the arms of Isaac. In 1987, Maureen gave birth for the fourth time at Augusta Tigrett.

Ringo and Maureen became grandparents thanks to his son Zak in 1987.

The May 27, 1989, Isaac married Maureen and deciding to split his time between Los Angeles, California and Boston.

Last days of life and death
In the opening of "Houses Of Blues" Maureen suddenly fainted. What at first was diagnosed as a mild anemia, then would become a form of leukemia called Mylodisplasia. She was admitted to the "Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center" in October 1994. Hcicieron All physicians everything they could to salverle life, but unfortunately lost the battle.

The December 30, 1994, Maureen Starkey Tigrett died at age 47 from leukemia. Her husband Isaac, her children, her mother and her ex-husband were with her when she passed away. Ringo had had a chance to tell her how much he had loved for the years they were together.

Paul McCartney wrote "Little Willow" in dedication to Maureen.

Curiosities

 * Maureen's favourite colour was black.
 * Pattie Boyd considered her a great friend, but remained resentful to learn of her affair with George.
 * She hand-board sequins Sgt Pepper Costumes.
 * Participated in the chorus of "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" along with Yoko Ono and Pattie Boyd.
 * Participated in the video "Something".
 * When just marriage with Ringo, she tried to commit suicide by crashing into a wall with a motorcycle. Came out alive from that suicide attempt, but his face was injured.
 * Was the only wife who was present at the rooftop concert.
 * She was in the recording of Get Back. At the end of the song you can hear Paul McCartney saying "Thanks Mo".
 * She was the only true Beatles fan (Speaking of wives)
 * She has been a good friend to Cynthia Lennon for nearly 30 years.
 * In 1968, Maureen changed hair colour to blonde by the fever of the French beautiful Brigitte Bardot.
 * For her 22nd birthday, Frank Sinatra recorded a special edition of "The Lady is a Tramp" for Maureen. "Maureen is a champ."
 * In 1968 the Beatles travelled to India to meet the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. She accompanied them along with Cynthia Lennon, Pattie Boyd and Jane Asher.