When John Lennon died, he left behind an estimated $200M fortune. The singer had two sons, and this week the youngest, Sean Ono Lennon, cleared up rumors about where it all went.
© Vinnie ZuffanteSean addressed his father’s fortune after a social media post claimed he inherited most of his estate while his older half-brother, Julian Lennon, was left fighting for a smaller share.
The conversation started from a wholesome moment. On October 10, Sean shared a photo of himself and Julian spending time together outdoors to celebrate his 51st birthday. “Had a great bday with my brother…” he captioned the post, tagging Julian.
From there, political commentator Wesley Yang responded. "One guy abandoned by his famous Dad, the other embraced and closely attended to by the same Dad, whom he then saw murdered as a young child," he started.
© Getty"One guy inherited most of the estate, the other largely cut out and forced to engage in decades-long litigation in pursuit of a comparatively small share of it," he continued.
"Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other. That they remain friends (and largely always were) is testimony to the redemptive power of being a chill dude with broad implications for the wider world," he concluded.
Sean responded, saying, “Julian and I inherited the same amount from our dad. Our trusts were equal,” he wrote. He added that Julian’s trust was “slightly more, but negligibly so.”
What happened with John Lennon’s estate?
© GettyJohn was shot and killed by Mark David Chapman in New York City in December 1980. Julian, his son with Cynthia Lennon, was born in 1963, while Sean, his son with Yoko Ono, was born in 1975.
Julian’s inheritance has been the subject of public discussion for decades. After his father’s death, he challenged the estate in a legal dispute that lasted 16 years before settling with Ono in 1996. The terms were never publicly disclosed, although reports have put the settlement at around £20 million.
© GettySean and Julian have pushed back on feud rumors
The brothers have faced years of speculation about whether their different childhood experiences created tension between them. John and Cynthia divorced when Julian was five, and Julian has spoken about the emotional impact of having limited contact with his father afterward.
John’s relationship with Sean looked different. After welcoming Sean with Ono in 1975, John stepped away from the music industry for several years to raise him.
© GettyDespite those differences, Sean has said that he and Julian have always been close. In a 2025 interview with Vanity Fair, he called him his "hero."
“Julian and I have always been close. He was my hero when I was young,” Sean said. He also pushed back on the idea that they had ever been fighting, adding, “I love him.”
Julian has also spoken positively about their relationship. In a 2025 interview with The Guardian, he said he was “thankful” that he and Sean “get on like a house on fire,” describing them as “best buddies.”
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