Marking his 85th birthday on July 7, Ringo Starr opened up about a deeply personal chapter in his life—his and his wife Barbara Bach’s journey to sobriety. The Beatles icon, speaking to People at his annual “Peace & Love” celebration in Beverly Hills, recalled entering rehab together with Barbara in 1986, just a few years after they were married.
“Well, I ended up in a rehab because I was not treating myself or anyone around me with any respect,” Ringo shared. “It was all about me,” he continued, adding, “I came out, and I haven’t had a drink since. Thank the Lord.”
Ringo and Barbara first met on the set of Caveman in 1980, where they portrayed love interests, and got married the following year. Their decision to seek treatment together came as a surprise to many, including friends and family. A Los Angeles Times article from 1988 reported that the couple had entered a U.S. clinic under Ringo’s real name, Richard Starkey, and were expected to stay about a month. The name of the clinic wasn’t disclosed, but it was confirmed not to be the Betty Ford Center.
In a 2015 interview with The Times of London, Ringo reflected on his struggles during the 1970s and ’80s: “I was mad. For 20 years. I had breaks in between of not being mad. These days I can be mad but I’m not the Mad Hatter.” He added, “I was drunk. I didn’t notice… Some of those years are absolutely gone.”
Now based largely in Beverly Hills, Ringo lives a much healthier lifestyle. In that same 2015 interview, he shared: “I do live healthily. I’m a vegetarian and I eat a lot of kale and broccoli. And a lot of berries. It works for me.”
Although Ringo and Barbara never had children together, he has three from his first marriage to Maureen Cox—Zak, Jason, and Lee. Zak, now 59, is a drummer who performed with The Who for years. Jason also worked in music before stepping out of the spotlight, and Lee pursued a career as a makeup artist and fashion designer.
Despite the rocky moments in his past, Ringo’s honesty and long-standing commitment to sobriety are a testament to growth, resilience, and the power of mutual support.
