Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell. | Source: Getty Images
Paul McCartney was happy in his perfect marriage with Linda, his first wife.
Unfortunately, Linda died, leaving Paul, a widower with four kids.
Losing his first wife was painful, but at 66, luck smiled at him when he found Nancy, his third wife and stepmother to his kids.
Paul marks the eleventh anniversary with his wife, Nancy.
English singer and songwriter Paul McCartney was famous during his time in "The Beatles." His guitar prowess, songwriting skill, and sharing of lead vocals with John Lennon remain among the most outstanding in music history.
Paul's career was a smooth sail, as well as his marriage to Linda McCartney, his first wife. Their perfect romance, nearly eternal, lasting for thirty years, was one of the extraordinary love stories in the entertainment industry.
Paul McCartney and his wife Linda, who performed together as Wings after the break-up of the Beatles on 2nd December 1972. | Source: Getty Images
Their paths met in 1967. They had attended the Bag O'Nails Nightclub in London Soho. While recalling the genesis of their affair, Paul noted that it was love at first sight— he could not deny the instant attraction he felt for Linda.
Two years later, they tied the knot in Britain. Paul continued his quest to stardom, while Linda, who worked as a photographer, extended her horizon. As a family woman, she focused on more intimate and emotional materials.
Linda loved their home in Scotland and was into horse riding and other animals. Yet, she settled into a domestic lifestyle.
Paul McCartney and his family in Brisbane zoo, Brisbane, November 1975. | Source: Getty Images
Once they became a couple, the "The Beatles" band member adopted Heather, Linda's daughter from a previous relationship. Then they began to enlarge their family, including daughters Mary and Stella and their son, James.
The family enjoyed the countryside, and Paul was always available for his family during his busy career. The couple lived happily until Linda's untimely death.
In 1998, the photographer lost her battle with cancer and died at age 56. This was a very difficult time for the singer, who had lost a loved one to the disease—Paul's mom, Mary, died at age 47, leaving behind a 14-year-old to navigate life without a mother.
British musician Paul McCartney and his wife Linda McCartney at 03 Walton Street in Knightsbridge, London, UK, 28th October 1973. | Source: Getty Images
While recalling his childhood experience, he explained that nobody knew the cause of his mother's death, and they were tight-lipped about it. But it affected everyone, particularly his dad, who would often cry. He said:
"The worse thing about that was everyone was very stoic, everyone kept a stiff upper lip, and then one evening you'd hear my dad crying in the next room. It was tragic because we'd never heard him cry. It was a quiet private kind of grief."
Paul McCartney, and Linda McCartney with their son James McCartney. | Source: Getty Images
When Linda died, he also cried. The singer understood that the only thing he could hold onto was the memories created in those thirty years. According to Paul, it became clear that he would never see her again. The singer added:
"I think I cried for about a year on and off. I cried a lot. It was almost embarrassing except it seemed the only thing to do."
Paul's Second Marriage & Life as a Single parent
Following the death of his first wife, Paul decided to test the waters again, and this time, he married a former model who was about twenty-five years his junior.
Despite her calm nature, Shevell is also a strong woman who was able to beat cancer and later contributed to building a research center known as "Hewlett House" in Hamptons.
Sir Paul and Heather McCartney with baby Beatrice Milly, 1, go out to a noodle bar by the seaside. | Source: Getty Images
His 1999 marriage with wife number two, Heather Mills, produced a daughter, Beatrice, but it did not last. After four years, the former model slammed her ex-husband with divorce papers and requested $250 million.
At the time, Paul's fortune had been estimated at $1.6 billion. However, the Judge who presided over the case confirmed that the singer was worth $800 million.
While Mills asked for $250million, her ex-lover informed the court that she would receive $31.6 million. This included her assets pegged at $15.6 million.
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills. | Source: Getty Images
Eventually, Mills was granted $48.6 million as a settlement, including her $15.6 million in assets. The court also considered their daughter Beatrice and ordered that she get an annual payment of $70,000, while her celebrity father also offset the nanny and school fees.
Following the judgment, Mills confessed that she was delighted. She added, "It was an incredible result in the end to secure mine and my daughter's future and that of all the charities that I obviously plan on helping and making a difference with — because you know it has been my life for 20 years."
Regardless of her admittance, the public was not having any of it. Instead, they believed she was a gold digger rooting for Paul's money and that she had an affair with her trainer.
British musician Paul McCartney with his daughters at San Martino in Knightsbridge, London, UK, 28th October 1973. | Source: Getty Images
These accusations did not go unanswered. Mills addressed it in an interview, revealing that she was wrongly painted.
The former model claimed that more than fifty percent of her money was invested in charity and that she would have turned richer if she had been a gold digger.
Musician Sir Paul McCartney and his daughter, Beatrice McCartney, are seen on December 19, 2013 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Mills also slammed the rumors about an affair, mentioning that the stories were false. She maintained that her priority lay in parenting Beatrice and that marriage was out of context.
After the tooth-and-nail divorce battle, Paul continued to love their daughter and remained a hands-on parent. At 66, the former "Beatle" star confessed that he was very dedicated to parenting without help, even as a single parent.
Paul was concerned about bonding with his daughter, so he failed to hire a nanny and did the regular work alone. He even mixes with other school parents; despite the strain, he enjoyed the process. He shared:
"I love being a dad…I love every second of it and I'm not exhausted at all…I don't have a nanny. I do all the regular stuff myself."
Although, the iconic musician revealed that before he began his day, a cloud of sadness sometimes hovered above him, especially when he thought about Linda.
But somehow, the memories encouraged him through the day. "all I tend to do is remember the great stuff and that helps," he alleged.
Paul's Third Time's the Charm
After the death of his first wife, a messy divorce, and navigating fatherhood alone, Paul met Nancy Shevell, the woman who changed his life again.
Nancy Shevell and Sir Paul McCartney at a Celebration of the Arts at Royal Academy of Arts on May 23, 2012 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
They met in 2007 in the Hamptons. Soon, they developed a bond, and after one year of dating, Paul's kids already approved of her. The couple spent time globe-trotting and attending red-carpet events, including the Grammys and galas.
While attending the National Resources Defense Council gala, the public saw how supportive Paul's older daughter was of their romance.
Sir Paul McCartney and his wife Nancy Shevell in central London after their wedding on October 9, 2011. | Source: Getty Images
Indeed, Shevell made an impression on everyone. Even Mills confessed that her daughter spoke highly of the woman.
Although Shevell is seventeen years his junior, Paul is smitten by her gentleness and low-key nature. An insider confirmed that after their first meeting, it was obvious that they were a fine match and like minds.
Mary McCartney, Sir Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell at the 2011 Orange British Academy Film Awards at The Royal Opera House on February 13, 2011 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
The singer despised the glitz and glamor of social life; just like Shevell, they concerned themselves with enjoying the moment and creating happiness. However, Barbara Walters, a family relative, insisted:
"There were definitely sparks between them. They seem to be having a very happy and relaxed time together in paradise. They seem not to have a care in the world."
Four years after dating, the couple tied the knot, surrounded by family and friends. Paul's kids were involved in the ceremony. Mary photographed the couple, Stella designed her dress, and Beatrice was the flower girl.
Nancy Shevell with Sir Paul McCartney arrive at Westminster Registry Office in north London for their wedding. | Source: Getty Images
Joe Flannery, a friend to the singer, explained that the girls wanted their dad to be happy, and seeing that he derived joy from being with Shevell was epic.
Despite her calm nature, Shevell is also a strong woman who was able to beat cancer and later contributed to building a research center known as "Hewlett House" in Hamptons.
Thankfully, Paul and Shevell's love story has been free of scandal or controversies. Today, October 9, the couple marks their eleventh wedding anniversary.
In the past, Paul has celebrated their special day by sharing sweet words and Shevell's photo. The singer sees his wife as his "rock and roll," A side and B side, verse and chorus." Truly, she has been all that to him and a great stepmother to their kids!
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