Heather Mills' Life After Paul McCartney: New Marriage and Sporting Success
As Paul McCartney's documentary premieres on Prime Video, attention turns to his former wife, Heather Mills, whose life has evolved dramatically since their tumultuous split. The model and activist, now 58, has maintained a lower profile but built a multifaceted career and personal life away from the Beatles legend.
The McCartney Marriage and Divorce
Heather Mills first gained public recognition over 25 years ago when her romance with Paul McCartney became known. The couple began dating in 2000, married in June 2002, and welcomed daughter Beatrice in 2003. However, the marriage faced challenges, including family blending issues, and they separated in 2006 after just three years of marriage.
The divorce was finalized in 2008 at the Royal Courts of Justice in a highly publicized settlement. Mills initially sought £125 million, while McCartney offered £15.8 million. Ultimately, she received approximately £16.5 million in cash plus assets valued at £7.8 million, totaling around £24.3 million. In a 2023 Channel 5 documentary, The Trials of Heather Mills, she shared her perspective on the relationship and childhood traumas, offering rare insights into their private life.
New Marriage and Personal Life
Despite vowing never to remarry after McCartney, reports indicate Mills wed businessman Mike Dickman in 2021 in an intimate ceremony. Their relationship began in 2019, with an engagement following two years later. Mills has kept details private, mentioning only that they met on a train and emphasizing respect for privacy. This new chapter marks a significant shift from her high-profile past.
Vegan Business Ventures
Following the divorce, Mills transitioned from modeling to entrepreneurship, focusing on vegan food. She purchased VBites, a vegan food company, and invested £23 million after being denied a government loan. Interestingly, McCartney's late wife, Linda, had also founded a vegetarian and vegan brand, creating a parallel legacy. By 2023, VBites faced decline, forcing Mills to buy back assets from administrators to rescue the business.
Mills has long championed animal rights, becoming a patron of the British organisation Viva! in 2005. She has donated substantial sums, likely from her divorce settlement, to charitable causes, including proceeds from her 2010 appearance on Dancing With The Stars. In interviews, she expresses that money only feels meaningful when used as a force for change, reflecting her upbringing where she supported her family from a young age.
Paralympic Sporting Career
In a remarkable turn, Mills established a distinguished skiing career after losing the lower part of her left leg in a 1993 police motorbike accident. She began competing professionally in alpine skiing in 2011, achieving Paralympic-level success. Her accolades include multiple medals and world records, such as becoming the fastest disabled woman on the planet in 2015, reaching speeds of 103.6 mph—a Guinness World Record.
Beyond skiing, Mills has broken world records in winter sports like skeleton, bobsleigh, and ski jumping, showcasing her athletic versatility. This sporting journey highlights her resilience and dedication, contrasting with her earlier public image.
Legacy and Current Focus
Today, Heather Mills balances roles as a mother, business owner, and advocate. She rarely discusses her time with McCartney, instead focusing on her vegan enterprise, philanthropic efforts, and athletic pursuits. Her life post-divorce demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and social impact, moving beyond the shadows of her past fame.
