17/05/2006

McCartney and Mills to separate

Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Heather Mills have announced that they are to separate after four years of marriage.

Sir Paul, 63, married Ms Mills, 38, in 2002, four years after his first wife, Linda, died from breast cancer.

The couple met in 1999 through Ms Mills' charity work. The former model launched the Heather Mills Health Trust, which recycles prosthetic limbs and campaigns against the use of landmines, after she lost her leg in a motorcycle accident in 1993.

A statement released by the couple said: "Our parting is amicable and both of us still care about each other very much but have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives."

The announcement follows reports that the couple had had a series of rows in recent weeks. They were also reported to be living at separate addresses, with Sir Paul said to be staying at the family farm in Peasmarsh, East Sussex, while Heather was reported to be at the couple's home in Hove.

However, Ms Mills had denied rumours of a split in a newspaper interview last week. She described the rumours as "hilarious" and said that the couple were "together 100%".

The couple have a daughter, Beatrice, who was born in 2003. Sir Paul has three children from his marriage to Linda Eastman - musician James, photographer Mary and fashion designer Stella - as well as a stepdaughter, Heather, from Linda's first marriage.

Ms Mills has revealed in the past that Sir Paul turned down her offer to sign a pre-nuptial agreement. The former Beatle has an estimated £800 million fortune.

(KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

24 October 2006
Heather Mills McCartney to sue newspapers over 'false' divorce speculation
Heather Mills McCartney is to sue two newspapers over 'false, damaging and immensely upsetting' statements surrounding her divorce to Sir Paul McCartney. Solicitor Mishcon de Reya named the Daily Mail and the Evening Standard as the subject of legal proceedings. Legal action will also be taken against The Sun.
18 March 2008
Mills Loses Settlement Publication Appeal
Heather Mills' return to court to appeal publication of her £24.3 million settlement with ex-husband, Sir Paul McCartney has been unsuccessful. Mr Justice Bennett's High Court ruling has been revealed in its entirety after Ms Mills was told she could not appeal against the publication.
21 July 2015
Man Arrested After Train Hits Car
A man has been arrested after a train hit an empty car on a level crossing. It is understood the CrossCountry train, which was carrying 42 people, smashed into the vehicle at Clay Mills, near Burton upon Trent in Staffordshire at around 7.25pm on Monday, 20 July. No injuries have been reported.
13 February 2006
German coach crash claims third victim
A secretary at a Norfolk school has become the third victim of Saturday's coach crash in Germany. Jane Irving, 53, a mother-of-two who was seriously injured in the crash lost her battle for life in the early hours of Monday morning. Her close family were with her in Cologne when she died.
11 February 2008
McCartney V Mills Blockbuster Opens
It's likely to be a hard days night for Sir Paul McCartney over the next few days as he and his ex-wife, Heather Mills thrash out what is likely to be one of the largest divorce settlements in British history.