Sean Ono Lennon has stepped into a deeply personal role as guardian of his parents’ enduring legacy, taking the reins from his mother, Yoko Ono, who is now 92 and has largely retired from public life.
In a heartfelt interview on *CBS Sunday Morning* that aired in December 2025, the 50-year-old musician and producer reflected on his responsibilities. “Yeah, technically,” he acknowledged when asked if he’s now the custodian of John Lennon’s work and The Beatles’ catalog, “but obviously the world is also the custodian of his legacy, I would say. I’m just doing my best to help make sure that the younger generation doesn’t forget about The Beatles and John and Yoko. That’s how I look at it.”
When pressed on whether he truly fears the iconic music could one day fade from cultural memory, Lennon admitted, “To forget about it? I do, actually. And I never did before.” He later clarified on social media that he’s not immediately concerned but emphasized that “nothing is guaranteed” and cultural treasures must be actively preserved.
For Lennon, this commitment feels like a profound debt of gratitude. “My parents gave me so much that I think it’s the least I can do to try and support their legacy in my lifetime,” he said. “I feel like I just owe it to them. It’s a personal thing.”
He described their core message as “peace and love,” but with an important nuance: “It’s not just peace and love. It’s an attitude towards activism that is done with humour and love.” Lennon added that he feels significant pressure to uphold the high standard Yoko set in managing John’s music and The Beatles’ material over decades.
On his mother’s current well-being, Lennon shared a reassuring update: “She’s good. I mean, you know, she’s 92, so she’s slowed down a lot, and she’s retired. That’s why I’m kind of trying to do the work that she used to do.” He praised her lifelong dedication, noting she “deserves to kind of sit back” after years of exemplary stewardship.
The full interview, conducted by correspondent Anthony Mason, also touched on projects like the Oscar-winning animated short *War Is Over!* (inspired by John and Yoko’s anti-war anthem) and the HBO documentary *One to One: John & Yoko*, highlighting Sean’s ongoing efforts to keep their spirit alive for new audiences.
