Lee Starkey: Ringo Starr’s Daughter — Career, Family & Life

Who Is Lee Starkey?

Lee Starkey is a British fashion designer and makeup artist best known as the daughter of Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and his first wife, Maureen Starkey. Born Lee Parkin Starkey on November 11, 1970, in London, England, she’s built a career behind the scenes in film and television while keeping a notably low profile compared to her famous family.

Unlike her brothers — Zak Starkey, who drums for The Who, and Jason Starkey, also a drummer — Lee chose a path outside of music. She’s carved out her own space in the fashion and beauty world, working as both a designer and a professional makeup artist on various productions.

Early Life

Lee was born at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in London on November 11, 1970. She was the youngest of three children born to Ringo Starr and Maureen Starkey (née Cox). Her older brothers are Zak, born in 1965, and Jason, born in 1967.

The family moved to Berkshire in 1971, and Lee’s early years were shaped by her parents’ separation in 1974 and their divorce in 1975. Maureen was granted custody of the three children, while Ringo maintained regular visits. Growing up in a household with deep ties to rock history didn’t shield the Starkey children from the usual difficulties of a split family — but they remained close throughout.

Famous Father: Ringo Starr

Lee’s father needs little introduction. Ringo Starr — born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool — served as the drummer for The Beatles from 1962 until the band’s breakup in 1970, the same year Lee was born. He went on to have a successful solo career and has continued touring with his All-Starr Band for decades.

After divorcing Maureen, Ringo married American actress Barbara Bach on April 27, 1981. Barbara, who starred in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, brought her own daughter — Francesca Gregorini — into the blended family. Ringo and Barbara have remained together for over four decades, and Lee has maintained a close relationship with her father and stepmother throughout her adult life.

Mother: Maureen Starkey

Lee’s mother, Maureen Starkey (later Maureen Starkey Tigrett), was born Mary Cox on August 4, 1946, in Liverpool. She married Ringo in 1965 when she was just 18 and he was at the height of Beatlemania. After the divorce, Maureen later married Isaac Tigrett, the co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe and founder of House of Blues. Together they had a daughter, Augusta Tigrett, making her Lee’s half-sister.

Tragically, Maureen was diagnosed with leukemia and died on December 30, 1994, at just 47 years old. Lee was 24 at the time. The loss hit the entire Starkey family hard — by all accounts, Maureen was a devoted mother who kept the family grounded despite the chaos that came with Beatles fame. Her ex-husband Ringo and his wife Barbara were both at her bedside in the final days.

Career in Fashion and Makeup

Lee didn’t follow her family into music. Instead, she gravitated toward fashion and beauty from a young age. She began working as a makeup artist and eventually built a professional career in film and television production, handling makeup for various projects.

On the fashion side, Lee has worked as a designer and was involved with the Los Angeles-based boutique Planet Alice, where she served in multiple roles — from designing clothes to managing day-to-day operations. Her approach to fashion has always been understated, much like her public persona: creative, hands-on, and far removed from celebrity spectacle.

Unlike many children of rock legends who leverage their family name for media attention, Lee has consistently chosen to let her work speak for itself. She doesn’t maintain a public social media presence, and interviews with her are extremely rare.

Health Battle: Brain Tumor at 24

In 1995 — just months after losing her mother to leukemia — Lee faced her own serious medical crisis. She was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 24. The tumor was identified as benign, and she underwent successful treatment that included surgery.

The timing was devastating. Losing Maureen at the end of 1994 and then receiving a brain tumor diagnosis in 1995 would have been overwhelming for anyone, let alone someone in her mid-twenties. Lee’s recovery was a relief for the entire Starkey family, and her father Ringo has spoken publicly about how difficult that period was for them all.

Lee made a full recovery and has lived a healthy life since. The experience, though harrowing, didn’t derail her career or personal ambitions.

Marriage to Jay Mehler

Lee married musician Jay Mehler in 2015. Jay is a guitarist who has toured with some of Britain’s biggest bands — most notably Kasabian and Beady Eye (Liam Gallagher’s post-Oasis project). He’s also played with Liam Gallagher’s solo touring band.

The couple had been together for several years before making it official. Their shared connection to the music world — Lee through her family, Jay through his career — created a natural bond, though Lee has always stayed behind the scenes while Jay has been on stage.

Children

Lee and Jay have two children together:

• Smokey — born in 2009
• Ruby Tiger — born in 2014

The family lives in London, keeping a very private life. True to form, there are almost no public photos of the children, and Lee and Jay have been careful to keep them out of the spotlight — a deliberate contrast to the media frenzy that surrounded Lee’s own childhood as a Starkey.

Siblings

Lee comes from a musically gifted family. Her brother Zak Starkey (born September 13, 1965) is one of the most respected session and touring drummers in rock. He’s been a member of The Who since the late 1990s and has also played with Oasis, Johnny Marr, and The Lightning Seeds. Zak was notably self-taught and influenced more by The Who’s Keith Moon than by his own father.

Her other brother, Jason Starkey (born August 19, 1967), is also a drummer and musician. Jason has kept a lower profile than Zak but has been involved in music throughout his life.

Lee also has a half-sister, Augusta Tigrett, from her mother Maureen’s second marriage to Isaac Tigrett. And through her father’s marriage to Barbara Bach, she gained a stepsister, Francesca Gregorini, who became a film director and musician in her own right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Lee Starkey’s father?

Lee Starkey’s father is Ringo Starr, the legendary drummer of The Beatles. He was born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England.

What does Lee Starkey do for a living?

Lee works as a fashion designer and professional makeup artist. She’s worked on film and television productions and was involved with the Los Angeles boutique Planet Alice.

Is Lee Starkey married?

Yes. Lee married guitarist Jay Mehler in 2015. Jay has toured with Kasabian, Beady Eye, and Liam Gallagher’s solo band. They have two children together.

Did Lee Starkey have a brain tumor?

Yes. In 1995, Lee was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor at age 24. She underwent successful treatment and made a full recovery. This happened just months after her mother Maureen’s death from leukemia in December 1994.

How many siblings does Lee Starkey have?

Lee has two older brothers — Zak Starkey (drummer for The Who) and Jason Starkey (drummer and musician). She also has a half-sister, Augusta Tigrett, from her mother’s second marriage, and a stepsister, Francesca Gregorini, from her father’s marriage to Barbara Bach.

Related Profiles

Read more about the people in Lee Starkey’s life:

• Augusta Tigrett — Lee’s half-sister
• Jason Starkey — Lee’s brother, drummer and musician
• Jay Mehler — Lee’s husband, guitarist