The Nearest-Death Experience of Ringo Starr And His Wife
via Classic Rock on MV / YouTube
In 1980, Ringo Starr and actress Barbara Bach had only recently met on the set of the comedy film Caveman when an unexpected and terrifying moment nearly changed their lives forever. The two had quickly grown close, and during a drive to a party in Surrey, they found themselves surrounded by dense fog—a condition that would soon lead to disaster.
As they approached the Robin Hood Roundabout on the A3 at around 60 mph, visibility had severely dropped. In a sudden and desperate attempt to avoid a looming lorry, Starr swerved. The car skidded nearly fifty yards before crashing head-on into two lampposts, leaving the couple momentarily stunned and badly shaken.
Despite sustaining a leg injury, Starr managed to pull Bach from the mangled Mercedes. The incident could have ended much worse, yet both miraculously walked away with only minor injuries. In a strangely human moment after the rescue, Starr reportedly returned to the wreck to retrieve a pack of cigarettes.
View this post on Instagram
A Close Call Near a Tragic Landmark
What makes the near-fatal crash even more haunting is its eerie location—just half a mile from where T. Rex frontman Marc Bolan had lost his life in a car crash only three years earlier. That tragic coincidence underscored just how lucky Ringo and Barbara had been that night.
The Mercedes, however, wasn’t so fortunate. The car was completely written off, reduced to an unrecognizable heap after its violent impact with the lampposts. Yet the couple’s ability to survive the crash with minimal harm left those around them astonished—and perhaps convinced that fate had other plans.
Rather than let the experience darken their spirits, Ringo and Barbara emerged stronger. Just three weeks after the crash, Bach informed her father she planned to marry the legendary drummer. The near-death experience may have sealed their bond in a way that few events could.
View this post on Instagram
A Lifelong Bond Beyond the Headlines
Ringo Starr and Barbara Bach were married a year later in 1981, holding a ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall. Unlike many celebrity couples whose relationships falter under the weight of fame, theirs has endured for over four decades, weathering both public scrutiny and personal trials.
Though they never had children together, they brought their respective families into their shared life. Starr has three children—Zak, Jason, and Lee—from his first marriage to Maureen Cox. Bach has two children, Francesca and Gianni, with her former husband, actor Augusto Gregorini.
Their survival story isn’t just about the physical accident—it’s about resilience, loyalty, and love. That harrowing night in Surrey could have marked an end, but instead, it marked the beginning of a lasting chapter in both their lives.
View this post on Instagram
