(The Things) - The Beatles alum, Paul McCartney hasn't always been lucky in marriage. Before his happy marital life with Nancy Shevell (since 2011), he lost his "silenced" first wife Linda McCartney to breast cancer in 1998, after 30 years of marriage.
In 2000, the music icon — who turned down his shot at becoming a movie star — thought he'd found the one in former model and businesswoman, Heather Mills. They then tied the knot in 2002 and welcomed their only child, Beatrice Milly McCartney, a year later.
But in 2006, the couple separated and went on a pricey divorce battle where the emotional songwriter lost $48 million. At that time, Heather said they broke up because of Paul's "evil" daughter, fashion designer Stella McCartney. But in April 2023, the blame seemingly shifted to the singer's first wife...
In 2008, Paul and Heather finalized their divorce after the latter was awarded a total settlement of $48 million. She initially asked for $250 million, which Judge Hugh Bennett deemed "unreasonable" and "exorbitant." Heather's settlement included a sum of $33 million, a home and other assets worth $15 million, and an annual $70,000 for their daughter's needs.
The former Mrs. McCartney said she was "pleased" with the deal. Despite it being Paul's biggest court loss ever, the judge was very much on his side. In his ruling, Bennett claimed that Heather's initial $6 million-a-year demand was a "case [that] boils down to the syndrome of 'me too' or 'if he has it, I want it, too.'"
"To some extent she is her own worst enemy … She has an explosive and volatile character," he added. "She cannot have done herself any good in the eyes of potential purchasers of her services as a TV presenter, public speaker and a model, by her outbursts in her TV interviews."
By Gia Marcos
December 16, 2023
