In 1970 the members of The Beatles were up in arms with one another. The band had split up and their relationships were fraught. While Paul McCartney and John Lennon were embarking on perilous legal battles against each other, Ringo Starr and George Harrison were attending parties. During one of these events, George confessed to Ringo that he was “in love” with his bandmate’s wife, Maureen Starkey Tigrett.
Chris O’Dell, a former Apple Corps employee, assistant and tour manager for bands including The Beatles recalled what happened in her book, Miss O’Dell: Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.
She wrote: “We sat at the long wooden table in the kitchen, Ringo and George on one bench, Pattie and I facing them on the opposite bench.
“Maureen spent the entire evening flitting around like a little bird, landing here, then there, jumping up to cook an omelette for Ringo, refilling our drinks, bringing plates of food to the table.
“[George] turned to Ringo and said: ‘You know, Ringo, I’m in love with your wife.'”
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George and Maureen had reportedly been engaging in an affair in the weeks leading up to that fateful moment, prompting the outburst.
Of course, George’s wife Pattie was not best pleased about this information.
The pair later went on to get divorced in 1974 (although it wasn’t finalised until 1977). Pattie said their split was mainly because of George’s infidelities – but the affair with Maureen was “the final straw”.
After this, however, Pattie was keen to get her own back on her cheating husband.
Ringo’s biographer, Michael Seth Starr (no relation) described what Pattie did directly after the news broke of George’s newest affair.
The biographer wrote: “Pattie, meanwhile, avenged George’s betrayal by returning to her modelling career – something George had always forbidden.”
Pattie was one of the most iconic British models of the 1960s, working alongside the likes of Twiggy and photographer David Bailey.
But the iconic British model didn’t just stop there.
Ringo’s biographer went on: “[She also had] her first affair, choosing Ronnie Wood, the guitarist for The Faces (who later joined The Rolling Stones).”
In return, George reportedly went on to have an affair with Ronnie’s wife, Krissy.
Recalling the moment he found out, Ronnie said: “One night at George’s house, Friar Park, in Henley I took George aside and told him quite seriously that when it was time for bed I would be going to Pattie’s room.
“Seemingly unflustered he pointed to the room Krissy and I were staying in and added: ‘I shall be sleeping there.'”
George and Pattie ended up on good terms, however.
After splitting in 1977 Pattie married Eric Clapton, one of George’s closest friends who had held strong feelings for her for years.
The Quiet Beatle attended the pair’s wedding and even played at their reception.
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