Who Is John Lydon? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on January 31, 1956, John Lydon, also known as Johnny Rotten, is a renowned British punk rock singer and songwriter. Best known as the lead vocalist of the influential punk band the Sex Pistols and the post-punk group Public Image Ltd (PiL), Lydon has made a significant mark in the music industry with his distinctive voice and rebellious persona. As of 2025, John Lydon is 69 years old.
Occupation | Autobiographer |
---|---|
Date of Birth | January 31, 1956 |
Age | 69 Years |
Birth Place | Finsbury Park, London, England |
Horoscope | Aquarius |
Country | England |
Popularity
John Lydon's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
In 2025, John Lydon stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs around 154 lbs (70 kg). His body measurements reflect a rugged, artistic persona, with a health-conscious approach to his lifestyle.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Lydon has been married to Nora Forster since 1979, making headlines not only for his revolutionary music but also for his enduring relationships. Together, they have shared a life filled with love and personal challenges. Despite occasional speculations about their relationship status, Lydon remains fiercely dedicated to his wife.
His parents, Eileen Mary (née Barry), and John Christopher Lydon (died 2008), were working-class immigrants from Ireland who moved into a two-room Victorian flat in Benwell Road, in the Holloway area of north London.
The flat is adjacent to the Highbury Stadium (now Highbury Square), the former home ground of Premier League football club Arsenal F.C. of whom Lydon has been an avid fan since the age of four. At the time, the area was largely impoverished, with a high crime rate and a population consisting predominantly of working-class Irish and Jamaican people.
Lydon spent summer holidays in his mother's native County Cork, where he suffered name-calling for having an English accent, a prejudice he claims he still receives today even though he travels under an Irish passport.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, John Lydon’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million. His earnings stem from his long-standing career in music, television appearances, and various endorsements. Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, Lydon has maintained a steady income through both his artistic and entrepreneurial endeavors.
As Lydon predicted, the comment was edited out by the BBC before broadcast. The complete interview was included as a bonus track on a rerelease of Public Image: First Issue in 2013, after Savile's death. In October 2014, Lydon said that "[b]y killed I meant locking him up and stopping him assaulting young children ...
I'm disgusted at the media pretending they weren't aware." Lydon claimed that the BBC blacklisted him following the interview, and he remained "very, very bitter that the likes of Savile and the rest of them were allowed to continue."
Career, Business and Investments
John Lydon rose to fame in the late 1970s with the Sex Pistols, becoming a significant figure in the punk rock movement. After the band disbanded, he formed Public Image Ltd, allowing him to explore different musical styles. Over the years, he has re-invented himself as a solo artist, participated in various television reality shows, and even ventured into publishing.
In addition to his music, Lydon has made smart investments, particularly in the clothing line inspired by punk culture and music memorabilia. His passion for culinary arts has also led him to explore business opportunities within the food industry.
In September 2009, it was announced that PiL would reform, including earlier members Bruce Smith and Lu Edmonds, for a number of Christmas concerts in the UK. Lydon financed the reunion using money he earned doing a UK television advertisements for Country Life butter. Lydon commented "The money that I earned from that has now gone completely – lock stock and barrel – into reforming PiL".
Social Network
John Lydon is active on several social media platforms, where he engages with fans and shares insights into his life and career. His Twitter handle, @JohnLydon, boasts thousands of followers, where he often posts updates about his music and personal reflections, making him an influential figure among both fans and critics alike.
John Joseph Lydon (born 31 January 1956), also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is a British-born singer, songwriter, author, and television personality. He was the lead vocalist of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols, which was active from 1975 to 1978, and again for various revivals during the 1990s and 2000s.
He is also the lead vocalist of post-punk band Public Image Ltd (PiL), which he founded and fronted from 1978 until 1993, and again since 2009.
Education
While specific details about Lydon's formal education are minimal, he grew up in a working-class environment in London, which greatly influenced his music and artistic outlook. His passion for music was reflected in his youthful days, where he engaged in various artistic endeavors that laid the groundwork for his future career.
Despite the fact that he wrote and sang "Anarchy in the U.K." with the Sex Pistols, Lydon said in a 2012 interview that he never was an anarchist, adding "Anarchy is mind games for the middle class". In a 2022 op-ed he wrote, "Anarchy is a terrible idea. Let's get that clear. I'm not an anarchist.
And I'm amazed that there are websites out there – .org anarchist sites – funded fully by the corporate hand and yet ranting on about being outside the shitstorm. It's preposterous."