Paul McCartney Fell for a Woman Who Lost Her Leg — Their Split Cost Him Tens of Millions Years Later
Heather Mills was famously known as a supermodel, but she suffered a tragic accident that left her with her leg amputated. The former model is also known for her public and messy divorce with Beatles legend Paul McCartney, which left her $46.8 million wealthier.
Actress Roseanne Barr and Heather Mills on the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” in 2007 | Source: Getty Images
Heather Mills started her career as a supermodel, but she is also famously known as the ex-wife of the Beatles singer, Sir Paul McCartney.
Mills was born in 1968 in Aldershot, Hampshire, but her parents moved to Northumberland when she was six. She started modeling when she was 18 and married her first husband, Alfie Karmal, in 1989, but their marriage ended after two years.
Heather Mills in London in 1994 | Source: Getty Images
The former model survived a near-death accident when she was 25 years old. She was run over by a police motorbike, which left her with crushed ribs, a punctured lung, and the loss of her leg.
Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney’s Love Story
Mills and McCartney met in 1999. They were introduced to each other by Piers Morgan at the Pride of Britain Awards in London. By 2002, the two were married and welcomed their daughter Beatrice a year later.
Heather Mills and Paul McCartney in Los Angeles in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
However, Mills never got along with McCartney’s daughter Stella, so much so that their feud was even public. In an interview with “Extra,” the 55-year-old opened up about her turbulent relationship with her ex-husband’s daughter.
Heather Mills photographed with her engagement ring in London in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The former model said Stella was one of the reasons her and McCartney’s marriage ended. She revealed that she constantly tried to come in between them and was jealous of her.
Heather Mills, Stella McCartney and Hillary and Bill Clinton in New York in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
According to Mills, the reason behind the jealousy was how much the Beatles singer splurged on her, which to the mother was a sign that Stella did not want to see her father happy.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in Canada in 2006 | Source: Getty Images
However, when she eventually decided to speak out about Stella, Mills said there had been several “evil” things that she had done to her, so she was done protecting her. “… We found out she scraped my face out a photo when they were in psychiatric session together,” she confessed.
Mills admitted that the divorce from McCartney was extremely stressful as her life was also threatened. She said she heard from the police that there was an “unground movement” of people threatening to take her life, leaving her constantly on edge and scared.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in Wales in 2001 | Source: Getty Images
The divorce from McCartney was messy and very public, and while she was in the middle of it, Mills said she was staying single because she did not want anyone involved in her turbulent separation.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in New York in 2000 | Source: Getty Images
But the former model did say that she had been asked on a few dates and that the people who wanted to go out with her did not believe everything they read in the media about her life.
Heather Mills and Sir Paul McCartney’s Rough Divorce
The end of Mills and McCartney’s union was explosive, with Stella reportedly being angry at Morgan for bringing Mills into their lives. The former couple divorced in 2009, and the separation had McCartney part with a fortune.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in New York in 2000 | Source: Getty Images
The reason behind the break-up was cited as “unreasonable behavior.” The whole process turned into a court battle, with Mills accusing her ex-husband of physically abusing her, using cannabis, and being am alcoholic.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in the United States 2000 | Source: Getty Images
On these grounds, the former model stood in court and demanded £125million from the Beatles singer. But all the accusations she made about the singer’s behavior were ruled against her.
The judge, Justice Bennett, found that her evidence was not sufficient enough to make a substantial case. “Overall, she was a less than impressive witness,” Bennett added.
Heather Mills in London in 1999 | Source: Getty Images
Therefore, the judge ruled in favor of McCartney, and Mills walked away with £24.3 million (approximately $48.6 million in 2008). To top off it, the singer requested a statement about the proceedings to be released, despite Mills’ efforts to stop him.
The former model reportedly did not respond well to the Beatle’s decision and splashed his lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, with a glass of water on the head. In addition to the money awarded to Mills, McCartney was also required to pay £35,000 (roughly $70,000) yearly for his daughter, Beatrice.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills in Liverpool in 2002 | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, Morgan said each time he ran into Stella, she would say, “Whenever I see Stella, she prods me in the ribs and says: ‘Dad is really grateful you cost him £50m… thanks for that!”
Stella was not the only one who was unhappy about Mills coming into her life. McCartney also said his marriage with Mills was one at the top of the list of his biggest mistakes.
But not all bad came out of the union. The singer said, “I don’t want to down anyone. These things happen. I tend to look at the positive side, which is that I have another beautiful daughter out of it.”
Heather Mills in London in 2023 | Source: Getty Images
On the other side, Mills also said she was glad the whole process was over. Although the former model was convinced she would never walk down the aisle again, she reportedly remarried in 2021.
Mills is reported to have had an intimate ceremony with her businessman boyfriend, Mike Dickman. According to sources, the two had their meet-cute on a train.
Heather Mills in London in 2008 | Source: Getty Images
She liked what she saw and went for it. Mills reportedly handed Dickman a note that read, “I think you’re hot. Email me.” The couple has mostly kept their relationship. They publicly confirmed their relationship in 2019 and are said to have gotten engaged two years later.
Heather Mills in London in 2008 | Source: Getty Images
With the fortune she received from her divorce settlement, Mills reportedly invested in a company called VBites, which specializes in making vegan food.