Kyoko Chan Cox is a Japanese actress renowned for starring in the films “Bed Peace” (1969) and “The Real Yoko Ono” (2001). However, she is famous as the daughter of Yoko Ono and Anthony Cox. While her mom, Ono, is a renowned artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist, her father, Anthony, is an American film producer and art promoter.
In addition, her mother is famous as the wife of the late English musician John Lennon, a co-lead vocalist of the English rock band “The Beatles.” Aside from being the daughter of renowned celebrities, Kyoko’s life after her parent’s separation raised eyebrows. According to reports, Ono and Lennon spent years searching for Kyoto Chan Cox after her father abducted her and joined a cult.
The celebrity child was eight when the filmmaker violated a court order and went on the run with her on Christmas Eve. Afterward, Anthony and his second wife, Melinda Kendall, reportedly joined a cult and vanished with little Kyoko for twenty-four years. Consequently, many are curious about what Kyoko went through during those years and what she is up to.
Here’s everything we know.
How Old Is Kyoko Chan Cox?
Kyoko Chan Cox is 60 years old. She was born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1963. While media outlets consider August 8 her birth date, Kyoko’s social media account says otherwise. According to her social media, her birthday falls on March 17. Due to the conflicting dates and her cagey lifestyle, details regarding her exact date of birth remain a mystery.
However, Kyoko’s parents moved to New York, USA after her birth. Hence, she grew up in New York, mainly under the care of her father, Anthony. Since she grew up in America, reports suggest Kyoko Chan Cox holds American nationality. However, she is of Japanese and English descent, thanks to her parents, and also holds Japanese nationality.
In addition, Kyoko comes from an affluent family background, especially from her mother’s side. Her great-maternal grandfather, Eijiro Ono, was president of the Japan Industrial Bank and the Kyoritsu Mining Company.
Similarly, Kyoko’s maternal grandfather, Eisuke Ono, was a wealthy banker and former classical pianist. Also, her maternal grandmother, Isoko Ono, was a trained musical instrumentalist and a good reader of Japanese musical scores.
When Did Kyoko Chan Cox’s Parents Tie the Knot?
The relationship between Kyoko Chan Cox’s parents started as a fan-to-artist relationship. According to reports, Anthony, a fan of Yoko Ono’s work, tracked down the Japanese artist in Tokyo in 1961. While there are no details regarding how the two started dating, one thing led to the other, and they decided they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.
Consequently, the former couple tied the knot and welcomed their only child, Kyoko, in 1963. However, Ono reportedly “felt very strongly” about them caring for the child together, something Anthony agreed with.
Upon relocating to London, the couple collaborated on projects as “conceptual artists.” However, they divorced three years into their marriage after Ono met John Lennon at her art show in 1966.
Despite their separation, relations remained amicable between the exes, with Ono and Lennon giving Anthony access to film a documentary about their life. Although neither parent had sole custody of Kyoko then, Anthony was reluctant to grant Yoko and John visitations.
Hence, they decided to sue for custody in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Ono and Anthony filed for divorce. Although the Lennons won custody, they discovered Anthony had set up residency in Houston, Texas, where he was countersuing them. Consequently, the battle for Kyoko Chan Cox started all over again.
Why Did Anthony Cox Abduct His Daughter?
During the vicious custody battle between the former couple, Anthony saw that the Lennons were on the verge of winning the case. After John Lennon and Yoko Ono agreed to the Judge’s stipulation that they raise Kyoko Chan Cox in America, he fled with the eight-year-old girl on Christmas Eve, 1971.
Anthony took such drastic measures because he felt that his wife’s new husband, Lennon, would use his power and money to take his daughter away from him. Consequently, after abducting Kyoko, he disappeared and went underground.
Afterward, the then-little girl lived many obscure years with her dad. Her identity became blurred as her father changed her name to Ruth Holman. In addition, she grew up as a religious cult member, estranged from family life, and without contact with her biological mother. Despite Ono’s efforts to reach out, Anthony cleverly shielded his daughter.
What Does Yoko Ono’s Daughter Do?
Despite her rough start in life, Kyoko Chan Cox has made a name for herself in the film industry. Like her father, a well-known filmmaker, Kyoko started working as an associate producer in her dad’s projects.
Also, she appeared in several documentaries like “Vain Glory,” “The Beatles Anthology,” “Bed Peace,” “3 Days in the Life,” and others. However, there is no information regarding what she has been up to recently, as she leads a low-key life, maintaining her privacy.
Who Is Kyoko Chan Cox’s Husband?
Due to her cagey lifestyle, details regarding Kyoko Chan Cox’s husband elude the media. However, her former husband is Jim Helfrich, a lawyer and devout Christian. According to reports, the duo were together for more than two decades. While most details about their marriage remain private, reports suggest that Helfrich orchestrated Kyoko’s reunion with her mother in 1998.
Although separated, Kyoko Chan Cox and her former husband have two children, Emi Ono Helfrich and John David Yeisuke Helfrich. Their first child, Emi, was born in Denver, Colorado, on September 4, 1997. Hence, she is 26 years of age. Similarly, her son, John, fondly called Jack, was born in Colorado on January 9, 2000, and is 23 years old.
Like Daddy Yankee’s son, Jeremy Ayala González, Kyoko Chan Cox’s son is passionate about music.
