Former Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon is mourning the loss of his wife Nora Forster, who passed away at age 80, after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. The news was revealed on the Twitter account of Lydon’s band Public Image Ltd.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that Nora Forster – John Lydon’s wife of nearly 5 decades – has passed away,” read the post. “Nora had been living with Alzheimer’s for several years. In which time John had become her full time carer.” The statement continued, “Please respect John’s grief and allow him space. Rest in Peace Nora.” 

Lydon and Forster married in 1979. In 2018, Lydon revealed his wife’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and in 2020 shared that he had become her full-time caregiver.  

In February, Lydon and PiL competed to represent Ireland in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, performing the tune “Hawaii,” which Lydon wrote about Nora’s battle with the disease. At the time he noted the song was “dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life, with the person they care for the most.”

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