Award-Winning Singer Passes Away At 86

Peter Yarrow, the influential singer-songwriter and activist who rose to fame as part of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary, has died at the age of 86. His death was confirmed by PEOPLE and occurred at his home in New York City on Tuesday, January 7, due to complications from bladder cancer. Born in 1938, in New York City, Yarrow’s music career was marked by his fervent advocacy for social justice and peace, themes that resonated deeply in the lyrics of the songs he performed with Noel Paul Stookey and Mary Travers. Peter, Paul and Mary became icons of the 1960s folk revival, using their harmonious voices to advocate for civil rights and protest against the Vietnam War.

“As you may know, our beloved father Peter Yarrow has been battling cancer for some time,” Peters’s children, Bethany and Christopher Yarrow, wrote on Instagram back in December. “He has kept his doctors in awe at his resilience as he has continued to perform and live life in his own generous and cause-driven way. It has been a long road and he has been a strong dragon, but right now he is very weak and, at 86, his dragon days are numbered. We’ve asked friends and extended family to contribute a written story, video or audio message about how Peter’s humanity, music, unwavering social activism and generous heart had touched their lives in ways big and small.”

“There is Peter Yarrow the folk activist legend, and then there is the man, a deeply compassionate man, who changed the lives of so many people in very personal ways,” his children wrote last month. “Please share your stories and messages at the link above. They will be shared with Peter now and added to his website as a living tribute. Thank you for taking the time to honor him and contribute to this collective reflection of his spectacular, inspiring, singular LIFE. These words and contributions are more than just stories – they are his true legacy which will endure long after he is gone. Puff the Magic Dragon is forever…”

The trio’s rendition of songs like “If I Had a Hammer” and “Blowin’ in the Wind” became anthems for peace and change, echoing through the rallies and protests of the era. Their music not only captured the spirit of the times but also helped to shape the discourse of the civil rights movement and the broader cultural landscape. Yarrow’s commitment to activism did not wane with the group’s commercial success. Throughout his life, he continued to support a variety of causes, from environmental conservation to the rights of the oppressed.

Folk singer Peter Yarrow performs “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at the LBJ Presidential Library. The event was part of the library’s three-day Vietnam War Summit.

His passion for making the world a better place was a constant thread in both his public and private life. Aside from his activism, Yarrow was also a prolific songwriter, penning some of the group’s most enduring hits. His ability to weave complex social issues into accessible and compelling music earned him a revered place in American folk music.

WATCH:

R.I.P. Peter Yarrow (1938-2025) pic.twitter.com/xxxlOODhii

— B.Y. 🇺🇸 (@BYLuvJedi) January 7, 2025

Peter, Paul and Mary disbanded in 1970 but reunited several times over the ensuing decades, continuing to draw crowds with their timeless messages and melodies. Even after Mary Travers’ death in 2009, Yarrow and Stookey continued to perform, keeping the trio’s legacy alive. Yarrow is survived by his wife, Marybeth McCarthy, to whom he was married twice—first in 1969 and again in 2022. He leaves behind a son, Christopher; a daughter, Bethany; and a granddaughter.