Paul Says Goodbye, Heather Says Hello to Beatle Millions

Judge orders Paul McCartney to shell out $48.7 million to estranged wife Heather Mills

By Sarah Hall Mar 17, 2008 2:11 PMTags

Paul McCartney's millions can't buy him love, but they can finance his way out of a bad marriage.

The ex-Beatle was ordered Monday to shell out $48.7 million to his estranged wife, Heather Mills, putting an end to their lengthy and extremely bitter divorce battle.

High Court Justice Hugh Bennett delivered the ruling in a London courtroom, with both halves of the pair looking on.

Outside the courthouse, Mills told reporters she was "very, very, very pleased" with the outcome.

"It was an incredible result to secure mine and my daughter's future," she said.

According to Bennett's ruling, Mills was seeking in the neighborhood of $250 million, while McCartney proposed she should receive $31.6 million, including her own assets, which the court assessed at $15.6 million.

The court ultimately decided Mills should receive a lump payment of $33 million, plus the assets she already possesses.

Still, the hefty payout shouldn't affect McCartney's bottom line overmuch, as the artist's vast fortune is estimated at $800 million, according to the judge, who said there was no evidence to support widely reported claims that McCartney was worth twice that amount.

McCartney and Mills tied the knot in 2002—notably, without a prenuptial agreement in place. Their daughter, Beatrice, was born Oct. 28, 2003.

They separated four years after walking down the aisle, and McCartney filed for divorce in July 2006.