Maureen Cox, the future first wife of Ringo Starr, was born Mary Cox on 4 August 1946 in Liverpool.
She was the only child of ship’s steward Joseph Cox and his wife Florence Barrett. Mary changed her name to Maureen upon leaving school and embarking on a career as a hairdresser.
She married the Beatles’ drummer on 11 February 1965, and changed her name to Maureen Starkey. The couple remained together until the 1970s.
Page last updated: 14 February 2024