By Stig Editor Ringo Starr Reveals Eldest Daughter Lee Starkey is Battling Cancer Again
In a heartfelt and emotional statement, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr has announced that his eldest daughter, Lee Parkin Starkey, is once again battling cancer. The news has sent waves of concern and sympathy across the music world and among Beatles fans globally.
Speaking during a recent interview, Starr, now 84, shared the difficult update about his only daughter, describing her as “a fighter with unimaginable strength and courage.”
“Lee has always been a light in our lives,” Starr said. “She’s faced challenges before, and she’s facing this one with the same bravery. As a family, we’re standing with her every step of the way.”
Lee Starkey, 53, is the youngest of Starr’s three children and his only daughter with first wife Maureen Starkey. She has previously faced serious health battles — including a diagnosis of a brain tumor in the late 1990s, which she bravely overcame after surgery and treatment.
According to a statement from the family’s spokesperson, Lee’s current diagnosis is not a recurrence of the previous brain tumor, but rather a different form of cancer. The family has chosen to keep specific details private at this time, focusing instead on Lee’s treatment and recovery.
“We ask for privacy and compassion as Lee begins this journey,” the statement read. “She is surrounded by love, and her spirit remains incredibly strong.”
Lee Starkey has largely stayed out of the public spotlight, but has occasionally appeared alongside her father at music events and charity causes. She also co-owned a boutique in London and has been involved in various creative projects over the years.
Fans around the world have already begun sending messages of support using the hashtag #LoveForLee, which began trending on social media shortly after the news broke.
Fellow musicians, including longtime friends of Ringo like Paul McCartney and Elton John, have expressed their solidarity with the Starkey family. McCartney, in a social media post, wrote:
“Sending all my love and healing energy to Lee and Ringo. Stay strong — we’re all with you.”
Though the journey ahead will undoubtedly be challenging, Ringo Starr emphasized hope and resilience in his message:
“Our family believes in love, in healing, and in miracles. We’ve been blessed with so much, and we hold on to that as we face this together.”
The Starkey family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, fans consider supporting cancer research or donating to organizations focused on brain and rare cancers.
As the world rallies around Lee Starkey, her fight is a reminder of both the fragility of life and the strength found in love, family, and unity.