Ringo Starr facts: Beatles drummer's agewifechildrennet worth and songs revealed

24 June 202511:26

Sir Ringo Starr is one of the world's most famous musicians thanks to his time as a drummer with The Beatles in the 1960s.

Since thenRingo has released 20 solo albums and remains as busy as ever after turning 80 in 2020.

But what is Ringo Starr's real namewho is his wife and how did he get his start in music? Here's your handy guide:

1. How old is Ringo Starr and what is his real name?

   

   Born Richard StarkeyRingo was born on July 71940. He celebrated his 84th birthday in 2024.

   He was born in Dinglean inner-city area of Liverpool. He was the only child of confectioners Richard Starkey (1913–1981) and Elsie Gleave (1914–1987).

   Growing upStarr had several life-threatening illnesseswith various periods of hospitalisations.

   He briefly worked at British Railbefore securing an apprenticeship as a machinist at a Liverpool equipment manufacturer.

2. How did he get his nickname Ringo Starr and when did he join The Beatles?

   In the late 1950sRingo was playing in various skiffle groupsand he adopted the stage name Ringo Starr.

   It came from the rings he wore at the timeand also because it gave him a country and western twang.

   • Read more: Ringo Starr says the Beatles were meant to record one more album

   When the Beatles formed in 1960Starr was a member of another Liverpool groupcalled Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. After having moderate success in the UKhe quit the Hurricanes when he was asked to join the Beatles in August 1962replacing Pete Bestand joining up with John LennonPaul McCartney and George Harrison.

3. What are Ringo Starr's best known songs?

   

   Ringo Starr Photograph

   Ringo only occasionally sang Beatles songsbut they included some of their best-known hitsincluding 'Yellow Submarine''With a Little Help from My Friends' and 'Octopus's Garden'the latter of which he also wrote.

   After the band's break-up in 1970he released several successful solo hitsincluding 'It Don't Come Easy''Photograph' and 'You're Sixteen'.

   His biggest UK hit was the number two single 'Back Off Boogaloo'.

4. Who is Ringo Starr's wife and does he have children?

   

   Ringo Starr first married Maureen Cox in 1965. Beatles manager Brian Epstein was best man and George Harrison was a witness.

   The couple had three children: sons Zak (born 1965)and Jason (born 1967) and daughter Lee (born 1970).

   • Why Ringo Starr banned fans from writing to him

   The couple divorced in 1975 due to Starr's repeated infidelities. He later admitted to being "a drunka wife-beater and an absent father". Maureen died from leukaemia in 1994aged 48.

   Starr then met actress Barbara Bach in 1980 on the set of the film Cavemanand they married in 1981.

   

   In 1985he was the first of the Beatles to become a grandfather after the birth of Zak's daughter Tatia Starkey. Zak is also a drummer and has performed with his father during some All-Starr Band tours.

   Starr has eight grandchildren in total: one from Zakfour from Jasonand three from Lee. In 2016he was the first Beatle to become a great-grandfather.

   Starr and Bach are still togetherand split their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Monte Carlo.

   

5. What is Ringo Starr's net worth?

   Ringo was listed at number 56 in the Sunday Times Rich List 2011, with an estimated personal wealth of £150 million.

   In 2012he was estimated to be the richest drummer in the world.