The pair finalised their divorce in 2008 but what has she been up to since? (Image: Sion Touhig, Getty Images)
Heather Mills first captured public attention more than 25 years ago when her romance with Beatles legend Paul McCartney became headline news.
The former model, who lost the lower part of her left leg after being struck by a police motorbike in 1993, began dating the music icon in 2000, with the couple exchanging vows two years later.
Mills gave birth to their daughter, Beatrice, in 2003, but the fairytale was short-lived, with the pair going their separate ways just three years later in 2006.
Their divorce proceedings became the stuff of legend, after which Mills retreated largely from the spotlight, rarely discussing her time as the wife of one of rock’s greatest figures.
In 2023, however, the animal rights campaigner and Paralympian broke her silence in a Channel 5 documentary, The Trials of Heather Mills, offering her own account of her marriage to the Beatles member, as well as her childhood struggles. It was through this documentary that the public gained a rare glimpse into the private lives of the former couple.
They split after three years of marriage (Image: undefined)
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Relationship with Paul McCartney
Mills began her relationship with McCartney in 2000, four years after the passing of his beloved wife Linda McCartney, who lost her battle with breast cancer. The couple wed in June 2002, and welcomed their daughter Beatrice the following year in 2003.
However, the couple split in 2006 after a turbulent period attempting to blend their respective families. Mills claimed in several interviews that the breakdown of their marriage had been partly attributed to Paul’s daughter Stella.
Mills branded the world-renowned fashion designer as « evil » and « jealous ».
The divorce proceedings caused considerable controversy when they were heard at the Royal Courts of Justice in 2008. Mills famously demanded a staggering £125 million from the singer, whilst McCartney counter-offered £15.8 million. Ultimately, Mills departed with a reported £16.5 million, along with assets valued at £7.8 million.
Mills became a patron of the British animal rights organisation Viva! in 2005 (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
New marriage
Following her marriage to McCartney, Mills vowed never to remarry, yet she allegedly tied the knot again in 2021.
Reports emerged suggesting the model and multi-millionaire had wed businessman boyfriend Mike Dickman in a small, intimate ceremony.
Their romance first came to public attention in 2019, with an engagement following two years later. Making a rare appearance on Lorraine, Mills offered an unusually candid glimpse into their relationship.
She said: « I don’t really talk about him because I really respect people’s privacy, but yeah, met on a train. It doesn’t have to be a dating app, just go and chat to people. »
Vegan Business
Following her split from McCartney, Mills stepped away from modelling and launched her own venture, moving into the vegan food sector. Notably, McCartney’s late wife Linda had also established a vegetarian and vegan food brand, which continues to trade to this day.
Mills acquired VBites, a vegan food enterprise, and ploughed millions into the business after the government declined her request for a loan. Since then, she has been forced to repurchase the assets from administrators in a bid to rescue the company, which faced a rapid downturn in 2023.
Animal rights campaigning has long been a cause close to her heart, and throughout the years she has channelled her considerable wealth, largely believed to stem from her divorce settlement, into charitable endeavours.
Heather broke a number of world records (Image: Hannah Peters, Getty Images)
When she appeared on the American programme Dancing With The Stars in 2010, it is widely believed she donated her earnings from the show to VIVA.
Despite having amassed a significant fortune, the star shared her thoughts on wealth now, as both a mother and entrepreneur, in a candid interview with The Argus Podcast. She claims to have never felt truly « connected » to money until she discovered she could use it as a ‘force for change’.
She explained further, saying: « My mum left when I was nine and my dad went to prison when I was 13. I had to bring up the family. I appreciated the value of money.
« But I also understand how it could make a difference. Why die on a tomb of it when you can do something with it. Never understood people who were obsessed with money. I’d never been connected to it. I’d always managed to make it and make a difference with it. »
Her divorce gained a lot of attention for her £24.3 million settlement (Image: John Ferguson)
Sporting Career
In a fascinating chapter of her life, Mills forged a brief but highly accomplished skiing career, competing at Paralympic standard.
Following a motorbike accident in 1993 that resulted in the loss of the lower part of her leg, the model became disabled and launched her professional athletic career in alpine skiing in 2011.
She proceeded to claim numerous medals and shattered several world records throughout her sporting journey. Notably, in 2015, she became the fastest disabled woman globally, clocking speeds of 103.6mph – a feat officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
Beyond her exceptional skiing achievements, Mills has established additional world records spanning various winter sports disciplines, including skeleton, bobsleigh and ski jumping.
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