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March 17, 2008

Why should Heather Mills get £24 million?

Hmm

Please accept that what I am about to write I do as someone who is a. A big fan of Paul McCartney and b. Entirely ignorant of divorce law.

But I just have to ask - why does Heather Mills get £24 million for being married to McCartney for four years?

Did she play a role in making the money? No, he earned his fortune before he met her.

Did she sacrifice her earnings or earning power while standin' by her man? No, she is certainly more marketable now than before she met McCartney. And any deterioration that has taken place in the last year has been as a result of her behaviour since the divorce.

Does she need £600,000 a year? No, nobody needs £600,000 a year. There might have been a case of her having become accustomed to it during their marriage, except for this - she was only married to him for a very short time.

Isn't it for the child? There is a separate sum - £35,000 plus nanny and school fees - for the child.

Far from mouthing off about the judge, Ms Mills should have been grateful that he upped the sum from Sir Paul's already very generous opening offer.

Perhaps you can come up with one good reason why she deserves the money.

Or maybe I should just retire and marry a Beatle.

UPDATE: Can't buy me love: The McCartney-Mills judgement

Posted by Daniel Finkelstein on March 17, 2008 at 03:49 PM in Music | Permalink Bookmark and Share

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Danny Finkelstein:Please accept that what I am about to write I do as someone who is a. A big fan of Paul McCartney and b. Entirely ignorant of divorce law. But I just have to ask - why does Heather Mills get £24 million for being married to McCartney ... [Read More]

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As much as I love to disagree with you , I really can't on this issue .
It's appalling to see Marriage reduced to a business opportunity for women and the results will do little for society .

Posted by: Benzo | 17 Mar 2008 16:16:10

Why should she get £24 million one reason and one alone, hers and Pauls daughter, that is why.

Why should the child be denied a level of wealth just because her parents are divorced ? Surely it's better both parents can offer her the same standard of living and not allow one who happens to be better off financially to hold this over her in years to come ?

Posted by: julie smith | 17 Mar 2008 16:27:21

I have no sympathy for Paul McCartney - he knew what he was getting into when he got married. He should have had a pre-nup. Since he decided against it then he deserves whatever he gets.

Posted by: Julie Dale | 17 Mar 2008 16:37:04

It seems a fair amt to me (esp as it isn’t all cash, isn’t it something like 15 mil cash the rest “assets” like a house?). I think she did have a sort of role in “making the money” in that I think it was being in love w/her that got Paul to start touring again. Remember he’d said he’d never tour again after poor Linda’s death? She certainly did sacrifice her earnings, etc. while being w/him. She could hardly have a job, since you have to be w/Paul all the time. She’s hardly more marketable now, judging by what I’ve read in the UK press; some of you lot seem quite ready to kill her, or that’s what you say. Who’s going to hire her? Saying “nobody needs 600,000 a year” is rather arrogant on your part; who are you to say? Not that I know in her case (I'd up mine to a million — pounds — year, thank you very much). Ultimately, it’s Paul’s fault for not getting a pre-nup as his biz advisers told him. I suggest everyone get one; you never know if you’ll come into money. I had a friend who had to pay out a lot on his divorce because of that. They had no pre-nup because they were dirt poor when they married. Then, surprise, he became very successful.

Posted by: Diane | 17 Mar 2008 16:41:32

It works out at a lot less than $5,000 an hour.

Posted by: Frank Upton | 17 Mar 2008 16:47:47

Outcomes are often baffling. My question is how someone who misspells "separate" can be appointed Comment Editor of The Times.

Posted by: Karen Thatcher-Smith | 17 Mar 2008 16:53:24

If the money is for the daughter, which I agree with, then it should be put into trust and not handed to someone who seems to have made a nice little earner. What sort of message about hard work and responsibility does this send out to the young in this country. Don't bother working for a living, just find someone rich and sleep with them, there's a name for that ....

Posted by: Peter Bowen | 17 Mar 2008 16:54:03

I hold no brief for H.M.Mc.but I would say that for all her wicked witch persona, Paul always comes across as insufferably precious and for all his talent must have been difficult to live with!

Posted by: colin cooper | 17 Mar 2008 16:54:35

Heather Mills has bragged that she didn't even know any Beatles song when she met Paul .. why should get any of his money at all? She did well with what she got for herself; I am sure that Beatrice will be well cared for by her father .. sorry Heather, YOU are the ex-wife, Beatrice will ALWAYS be his child. When she grows up, she will belong to the family and you will be a 'nasty episode' best forgotten.

Posted by: Suzanne | 17 Mar 2008 16:55:15

Julie Smith is right, Beatrice should not be forced to grow up in poverty with her mother. Her father should have custody.

Posted by: Russ Harrison | 17 Mar 2008 16:56:49

Re: Julie Dale

Pre-nup's are not legally binding in the UK. If he knew what he was getting into I'm sure he wouldn't have married her.

Daniel is spot on, what has she done to deserve £600,000 per year? She is now another celeb who can cash in on who she married to, expect a Big Brother appearance soon

Posted by: Adam | 17 Mar 2008 17:03:30

A blind carthorse could see what her motivation is - MONEY. I don't have much personal sympathy for Paul, but in comparison, he comes across as restrained and a little bit dignified. Also, she might be a little be photogenic, but she isn't even pretty....

Posted by: David | 17 Mar 2008 17:05:32

The only way this ridiculous sum could be justified is if at least 60% of the money went to charity.. Otherwise it's a very selfish and greedy act ...
I acgree that McCartney could have known what he was getting himself into when he got married, but this is just appaling.

Posted by: Cammi | 17 Mar 2008 17:07:58

Jeez, Daniel, I don't think you'd have much of a chance with Macca. Not until you learn to spell 'separate,' at least. But otherwise I'm with you. It's called greed.

Posted by: Marty | 17 Mar 2008 17:09:00

Drop in the bucket, the guy's hardly going to go broke tomorrow ... unless ... maybe he can declare bankruptcy to keep this evil cow's fingers off his dosh.

The kid would have been cared for regardless, she may have one the settlement, but she definitely lost the public relations battle. Most hated woman in England? She up there on my list of money grubbing cows.

Posted by: Jacques | 17 Mar 2008 17:09:55

It really seems little less than prostitution. I'll sleep with you for four years, and in return I'll take $24 million...

I don't particularly like either of them, so I'm not saying that from any bias. The whole thing does seem pretty ridiculous. And I don't know how she'll explain to her child that he only had to pay 35k a year for his child and 20 times as much for his ex-wife.

Posted by: Louise | 17 Mar 2008 17:11:09

I thought it was honorable of Paul not to have a pre-nup. It showed he believed in this marriage. How could he know she'd be a nut. He's already been ordered to give the child a big sum, not that he wouldn' have done it anyway, he would have given her anything she desired. I'm upset with Heather getting anything.
The support money for the child should have been all that was awareded. Heather wasn't there during the time he earned it and was only married such a short time. I've seen engaged couples lasting longer. It's obvious she was in it for the money. Her comment on the reason he's rich, "is because he's tight with his money", floored me. Does she even know who he is? He's rich because he earned it. As much as it's admirable to give to charities, which I'm sure he did anyway, why should he dish out all this money to HER charities? She's happy with the winnings, of course and now wants to use it for her charities but, I'm sure she'll be living the high life she never would have had, if she hadn't met him. And to compare herself to Linda is rediculous. Linda was picked on by the fans because they envied her. Who wouldn't have wanted a catch like Paul? They were jealous & the Brits were jealous that he married an American. We all eventually got use to the idea that he was now a married man. But, Heather is a different story all together. The media & Paul's fans are more interested in the fact that she is a money hungry younger girl, going after the older rich man. That's exactly what she turned out to be.

Posted by: Lorie | 17 Mar 2008 17:13:52

Paul Mccartney is hardly a saint, what with his reported rendevous with a certain female companion after separating form Heather. Heather reported cases of physical abuse from him, plus she lost a leg while married to her so deserves more than £24,000,000.
If those reasons are not enough for you then lets leave it at she had a beautiful daughter for him. Simple!

Posted by: comfort | 17 Mar 2008 17:14:12

Heather Mills has been a sponger from the beginning of her time with Sir Paul McCartney. Paul's family seen through Ms. Mills. Divide her lifetime earnings against her years of age. Multiply the figure by 16 for their childs benefit as the rest of the nation has to do.Give her that and not a penny more.

Posted by: Robert McFadden | 17 Mar 2008 17:14:52

If the money Miss Mills has been awarded is for her daughter, then it should be put in trust. If the money is for four years of marriage, I suggest that anyone in a similar position to Sir Paul give Eliot Spitzer a call; he's likely to have a telephone number which will save them a fortune in the long term.

Posted by: Peter Bowen | 17 Mar 2008 17:17:14

It appears some people agree she should get this amount of money. I'm in total disagreement just because she married a man who is very devoted, faithful and give nothing but love for his wife look at what he had with Linda. He should not be penilised for being blinded by love. She was out to get what she could from the start. Stella knew this. The only thing heather has done is down grade what ever position she thought she once had. If the money makes her happy let her enjoy it. Though the lawyers will be watching for if she squanders it on anything but the happiness of her daughter to Sir Paul. Wheather Paul had money or not in most of the peoples eyes who have been following this story hoping she walks away with pennies. Paul has what heather will never have. As their daughter grows up she will learn the hurt and lies it took her mum to do just for the sake of money. Paul has earned the respect and unconditional love from their daughter and that will haunt heather, she will do all she can as their little girl grows up to make her hate her father through her own spitful nature and that my friends will show heather on tv apologising to Sir Paul for her cruel true self to try and win their daughters devotion back.

Posted by: joe frost | 17 Mar 2008 17:30:11

Heather Mills may or may not deserve the money, but what is evident from her rant is that she is utterly vulgar.

Posted by: Kit | 17 Mar 2008 17:42:58

Thanks for pointing out the 'separate' mistake. My fault entirely.

Posted by: Alice | 17 Mar 2008 17:43:11

Who the **** is Alice? (apologies - I couldn't help but remember Chubby Brown's input into the song!)

Anyway, is she a ghost-writer for Mr Finkelstein? I think we should be told!

(Oh, and absolutely agree that she hasn't earned it - I would have married him for half that - he missed out on a bargain here!)

Posted by: Sue Burnett | 17 Mar 2008 17:55:08

Most men, given similar circumstances, would have paid a lot more than that to be free of her. Either that, or they'd avoid the mistake in the first place.

Posted by: Jon Anderson | 17 Mar 2008 18:01:41

I have to agree that Sir Paul should of had Heather sign a pre-nup. I have no doubt in my mind that Paul would have taken care of Beatrice and Heather in the long run. However, if $48 million will keep Ms. Mills out of the headlines, then so be it.

Posted by: Krissie | 17 Mar 2008 18:07:36

This award is in fact "moderate" set against the Alice-in-Wonderland rulings in recent cases such as Miller, MacFarlane and Charman. Danny, if you want an "answer" to your question, you should consult such legal luminaries as Lords Hoffmann and Nicholls and Baroness Hale of Richmond. They can no doubt explain why the law is an ass. Whether they can justify why our divorce law is now a gold digger's charter is another matter.

Posted by: Michael McGowan | 17 Mar 2008 18:09:56

Heather Mills is indicative of a great many people in the world today who talk loud without any substance or meaning. She's constantly berating Sir Paul and everyone else as if she were born to rule. The truth is really that she is empty and full of loathing, desiring only self aggrandizement. What a saddo.

Posted by: breezy | 17 Mar 2008 18:10:30

Comfort: "plus she lost a leg while married to her"

What? She only had one leg (well, strictly speaking 1.5 legs) before they were married. Did another one get lost that we don't know about?

Posted by: Mikey | 17 Mar 2008 18:14:06

the judge shouldve given her a fiver for a taxi and told her to piss off..

Posted by: micky d | 17 Mar 2008 18:14:13

I sincerely hope the Divorce Agreement includes the fact that she is no longer permitted to use the title "Lady McCartney" for she has certainly proved she is no lady.

Posted by: Rikki | 17 Mar 2008 18:14:50

It seems today Heather Mills missed a good opportunity to say nothing.

Posted by: Alex | 17 Mar 2008 18:16:08

She is getting £24 Million (or whatever it is), simply by cashing in on the divorce rip-off industry created by man-hating feminists like Harriet Harman.

They have turned marriage into a vehicle for the transfer of wealth from men to women.

Actually, it is state-sponsored theft.

Welcome to NuLab's feminist Gulag - Harman has a place there for every man.

The answer is to stop voting for them.

Posted by: Chris | 17 Mar 2008 18:28:24

I sub-edit Danny's posts for Comment Central. Clearly not always very well!

Posted by: Alice | 17 Mar 2008 18:28:58

I hope Fiona Shackleton sues Heather Mills for her slanderous remarks outside the Court which were broadcast live on the BBC. With a bit of luck she might receive damages of £24million.

Posted by: The Final Curtain | 17 Mar 2008 18:46:51

Paul M can count his lucky stars - he got away lightly as he foolishly didn't embark on a pre-nup before he got married to Mills. One thing is very clear to me in this very sorry episode - Mills was/is a calculating individual who did everything in her power to gain more. I rather suspect that her disappointment with the outcome will necessitate more media coverage with her 'spilling the beans' to supplement her new found wealth.

Posted by: Patrick Thorpe | 17 Mar 2008 18:57:32

Heather Mills is a sweet lady who was swept off her foot by a very rich man who could buy whatever he wanted. Now they can BOTH buy whatever they want. It's becoming a more equitable society as every day passes.

Posted by: L A Odicean | 17 Mar 2008 18:59:59

Miss H Mills should be thankful for what she has got, and NOT what she hasn't got! A settlement of £25 Million pounds. This is what she was offered all those months ago. Months of wrangling, bitching and public 'Dirty Linen Hanging Out', what a waste of time and effort. She still appears to be pursuing her Ex for more Millions. All she is doing is still digging herself into a black hole. It will either drive her mad, or drive her to drink! So whose fault will this be? Hers and hers alone!

Posted by: B clarke | 17 Mar 2008 19:05:24

The answer is simple.
It's the Law of Supply and Demand.

That was the amount that the market would be prepared to pay for the goods in question.

24,000,000 quid was what Heather thought the market would stand and 24,000,000 was what the purchaser was prepared to pay for his freedom.

Posted by: Robin Bather | 17 Mar 2008 19:07:32

I agree with Julie Smith & Julie Dale (above).
I too have little sympathy for Paul. Whilst I'm not a fan of Heather's, I do believe she brought him back into the 'limelight', I had forgotten all about him.
Whilst I don't believe everything that comes out of Heather's mouth, I also don't have much sympathy for Paul. For all his love for Linda, he didn't take that long to get over his 30 years with her and fall into the arms of a woman half Linda's age and younger than one of his daughters. He's no saint by a long shot and clearly not the facade he distributes (or has his friends distribute) about himself.
If he's such a nice guy, why didn't he agree to a quiet settlement? For all she hit the headlines, if he had agreed to something more substantial than he was willing to let go of, it would have been over and done with long ago.
For all his millions, he's clung on pretty tight to them, ok ok, it's his!! all his!!, he's got a child there, and he's quite happy to see her live to a percentage of his lifestyle, so long as Heather does not benefit.
MEAN is what I say, he deserves all he gets, which is HIS money, I hope it makes him happy. His older children weren't concerned about him they were concerned about their inheritance being interfered with, so far as I'm concerned.
He never tried to mediate with Heather properly without keeping his hand on his wallet.
He's not what he professes to be.

Posted by: Dawn | 17 Mar 2008 19:19:08

I thought I'd read the comments in this section to see what people thought and if they cared enough to comment. Clearly lots do.

Personally I think "lady" McCartney comes across as anything but, but then again I never had much time for Paul and his holier then thou attitude.

At the end of the day Paul has written some good songs which have entertained me from time to time and "lady" McCartney appears pretty similar to the hordes of Z-list celebrities that we seem so good at turning out.

Does she "deserve" £24m... does Jordan deserve what she has, or Tara Palmer-tompkinson deserve what she has actually while we're on the subjest does Paul "deserve" £850m (people need to get a grip he's only a entertainer, a court jester if you will).... whatever the answer there are unfortunately loads of people who have lots of things that lots of people don't think they deserve but thats life... not much point in caring about it or indeed worrying about it... it happens... its life.

Posted by: abharrisson | 17 Mar 2008 19:21:00

At least prostitutes tell you up-front the amount they want.

Posted by: Alex G | 17 Mar 2008 19:24:25

If I had £24M I would gladly give it to that uncouth, vulgar slapper to just go away and work in Charidee.

Posted by: Pat | 17 Mar 2008 19:26:15

What a horrible , rough , woman (she is no lady) Heather Mils came across as during her embittered tirade outside the law cort today.

Amourous, decent, young men beware ! !

Davidka East Yorkshire.

Posted by: W D Toulman | 17 Mar 2008 19:28:32

Only one reason?
I cab give you two.

( * )( * )

Posted by: jayil | 17 Mar 2008 19:36:23

4 YEARS OF PUTTING UP WITH MACCAs EGO, THE WOMAN HAS BEEN ROBBED!!!!!

Posted by: bob james | 17 Mar 2008 19:39:13

Does this now make her the worlds most expensive prostitute?

Posted by: Kris | 17 Mar 2008 19:40:53

I think she's getting that money for keeping her mouth shut, ie she won't talk about her life with Sir Paul and she won't have to - hmm - return to her original 'career'.

Posted by: Valerie | 17 Mar 2008 19:46:17

Heather is a sad and angry woman who married Paul for his money..I looked at her today on TV and I pity that woman, somebody should tell her to stop talking and keep away from the courtrooms.She may have won £24million, but she has lost dignity and respect as a woman. charity doesn't need people like heather.

Posted by: sundhine | 17 Mar 2008 19:55:18

Because a court said she should.

Is Britain not a nation ruled by laws?

One has to say this looks good on McCartney, a man of his age taking a "trophy wife" being always rather repellent.

He got more than he bargained for with Heather as a trophy.

Judging by the expressions on her face in various photos and her quoted words, my guess is that she suffers from schizophrenia or perhaps manic-depression.

I'm sure there were some amazing scenes in that household.

Posted by: John Chuckman, Toronto, Canada | 17 Mar 2008 19:57:53

I love how something like Heather Mills getting 24 mill can still be believed by some as a direct fault of New Labour... Idiot.

Many are saying it's Pauls fault for not getting a pre-nup. I just don't see how pitching a pre-nup to your wife is all that easy to sell; it suggests that you believe something may go wrong in the future and that you don't really trust her. Who would honestly get married under such pretences? Well done Mills, that's you set for life, but know one will ever forget this and you won't have much of a life living anywhere in the UK now.

Posted by: R Anderson | 17 Mar 2008 19:58:44

No one needs £600,000 a year when there are starving kids in Africa...

And Beatrice is hardly going to live in poverty while with her mother, even without the £24 million. AND there are 35,000 child care payments! Loads of families live on 35k, and thats paying for the parents, multiple children and paying all the bills.

Posted by: Aimee | 17 Mar 2008 20:04:05

Re: Julie Dale...

I do not think that a pre nup's are legally bound in this country.

Posted by: Russell Nobbs | 17 Mar 2008 20:16:21

Happy to introduce Paul to my wife. There will be an easy divorce from me - marriage to Paul, divorce two years later for an easy £5m settlement. All I ask is a 20% cut. We are all better off!!

Oh and my wife bakes a really mean roast and does a nice lemon pie for Sunday dinner - and has all parts in good working order.

Interested?

Posted by: Michael | 17 Mar 2008 20:19:19

She failed to mention in her press conference that she wanted £120 million!!! She is clearly bonkers and Paul must curse the day he met her

Posted by: Adrian | 17 Mar 2008 20:28:52

I knew nothing about this woman (except her name) before reading her rant outside the Court.

If the way she behaves and talks in public is how she behaved in the marriage, I can only wonder why it lasted so long.

There should be a "gagging order" put on her.

Posted by: Muffin | 17 Mar 2008 20:31:25

Of course she doesn't deserve a single penny of Paul's hard earned fortune. The law can be easily be amended to make sure there is adequate provision for the child's needs.

The real loser is the institution of marriage. Who will want to get married with the law the way it is. It's no good taking out prenuptial agreements as they're not legally enforcable although they will be "considered" by the court.

We often see politicians and media commentators moan about how the institution of marriage is being undermined by this or that. What does actually undermine and will eventually destroy marriage is legal decisions like this and the existing state of the law. After all, what person (man or woman) would want to get married with the real risk and threat of assets that they have worked hard to accumulated being taking away from them in so arbitrary a manner?

Is there any politician or political party who will reform the law?


Posted by: Mark Nichols | 17 Mar 2008 20:32:25

Good luck to her!! £700 an hour.

Sir Paul McCartney made a bad judgement against his family wishes, and sorry, as far as his music is concerned it is question of the emperor's clothes.

Earned his fortune? - working down a mine, driving a bus,or putting out fires, etc. is earning.

Posted by: Terry Hawker | 17 Mar 2008 20:46:41

I believe Heather Mills has achieved her goal and in the process exposed herself to the public as dishonourable and indeed vulgar. Although I do not have any sympathy for Paul I cannot help feel that this woman has an evil streak and is quite remorseless.

Posted by: Neil Maylin | 17 Mar 2008 20:49:31

what's wrong with separate anyway?

http://aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com/dictionary/separate

Posted by: dixionary | 17 Mar 2008 20:51:04

Wow, you Brits really have a problem with anyone who dares to criticize (that's right, with a z) one of the most narcissistic, and wealthiest people your country has produced. I'm not saying Ms. Mills is above scrutiny, but you clearly are blinded not only by your adoration of Mr. McCartney, but by a rather unashamed sexism. This settlement is little more than a hangnail for Paul McCartney; there's no reason that Heather M should have to go without because precious Paul has parted ways with her.

Posted by: H | 17 Mar 2008 20:55:48

Gives a whole new meaning to "sitting on a goldmine" doesn't it? maybe that should be a platinum mine!

Posted by: maire t ni se | 17 Mar 2008 21:08:35

It is obscene and I totally agree why does she need this obscene amount of money for 4 years of marriage. Outrageous and unfair. she did nothing to help Paul earn any of his fortune. Why should thius gold digger have this outrageous amount! I hope what goes around comes around and bites her skinny arse.

Posted by: victorvbroughton1@hotmail.com | 17 Mar 2008 21:09:18

Well, as they say, there´s no fool like an old fool.

Posted by: Brooks | 17 Mar 2008 21:13:11

Actually , if he was to have sex with her for 7 hrs /day every day for 4years it would work out at $5000 / hr.
So she is a lot more expensive than that.

Posted by: Douglas Maxwell | 17 Mar 2008 21:13:44

Seems cheap if it means we'll never hear from her again.

Posted by: Brian Reynell | 17 Mar 2008 21:16:29

http://airingofthegrievances.blogspot.com/2008/03/certain-british-someone-slams-heather.html

Posted by: Jonathan | 17 Mar 2008 21:18:45

Well, why not? The world's gone mad. What's anything really worth anymore? For those of us who have to scrounge to make ends meet, it's all rather amusing, I suppose.

When simple loaf of plain white bread hits three pounds and all the mortgage schemes go up in flames as they have in the States, maybe this saga will somehow take on some rational meaning. Until then, who cares? It's just money (the rest of us don't have), right?

Posted by: John Harrington | 17 Mar 2008 21:19:22

I like her perseverance

Posted by: ed | 17 Mar 2008 21:21:44

Let's hope she now leaves the country to dig more gold elsewhere.
As for Macca...there's no fool like an old fool. Though its a rather expensive way to learn.

Posted by: KWC | 17 Mar 2008 21:27:02

Makes the $80.000 spent by the Governor of New York look cheap

Posted by: Titus | 17 Mar 2008 21:34:54

Like it or not but its only right and proper that McCartney's daughter's mother should have a bit of money.

Posted by: bolle | 17 Mar 2008 21:44:27

Well done Heather - "Slags to Riches" will make a great title for your (ghost written) autobiography.

Posted by: Richard Bale | 17 Mar 2008 22:07:43

why should she get THAT much money over a divorce? she doesn't deserve it i mean if she had an EXTREMELY GOOD reason for it then maybe but still is she actually being serious?
does anybody actually like her?

Posted by: becky | 17 Mar 2008 22:10:55

Well, after watching the now filthy rich Mills on telly just now, you have to feel for her having to send her daughter B-class when her dad travels A-class...on only £35K a year...shame. Some people have far less than that on which to support a whole family.

And yes Mills, everybody knew years ago that Mr McCartney was worth over £800 million as you so vocally point out...obviously you knew only too well, and were as a result quite happy to 'claim' £125 of those millions for yourself.

Well, you really know how to endear yourself to an entire country who, whilst watching you 'suffer' with only £25 million, plus £35K a year to look after your daughter, while the rest of us wonder what the future holds for us with increasing taxes, a depreciating housing market and possible negative equity, rising fuel prices, rising food prices etc etc...I do hope you manage to survive you poor, poor thing.

I hope you sleep well in your bed tonight Mill whilst struggling to contemplate life with your millions, and good luck with what must be a very worrying future.

Posted by: Chris | 17 Mar 2008 22:26:28

For all people are commenting on how vulgar and rude H M McC is - theres quite a bit of it going on here too, stones/glass houses people! We don't know the lady or her ex personally so why get personal about them? The amount she was awarded might seem excessive but its probably a percantage thing.

Oh and pre-nups have no legal standing in the UK (again).

Posted by: kiirsi | 17 Mar 2008 22:41:30

How Paul came by his dosh is a separate issue. The idea that "he should have known what he was getting into" and therefore somehow deserves to be ripped off (punished for being naive?) does not hold water. Whether Paul is mean or generous is irrelevant.

This ruling will simply support a widening of the men's marriage strike.

Posted by: Norman | 17 Mar 2008 22:42:47

She complains about the matter having to go through protracted court proceedings - hardly surprising when she wanted £125m and alleged hubby had £800m of assets. Outcome - h has 400m assets according to judge and she gets 24.3m. She and daughter will have a £2.5m house and the 4 yr old daughter £35000 a year + paid for nanny and school fees. Daughter is well provided for Julie Smith so the £14m for Mills after 4 years of marriage is outrageous. She inflated her claim and his assets yet claims to be very, very happy with the result after putting everybody through all this hassle and expense. She should have accepted Paul's offer of £15.8m and spared us all her publicity building.

Posted by: Phil Storry | 17 Mar 2008 22:46:13

Heather was a Poor Old Tom before she met Paul, now she is still a Poor Old Tom but one with a few bob which some younger chap will soon be relieving her of. Thus it was in the beginning.....................
I am sure the Chancellor of the Exchequer is rubbing his hands........

Posted by: AMLeHigh | 17 Mar 2008 22:49:38

If you want to marry a Beatle, you'd better be quick...

Posted by: Jerzy Kowalski | 17 Mar 2008 22:52:35

I'm sure I heard Ms Mills say in post settlement speech that she was happy in that she could use some of her settlement for charity purposes. Time will tell but I think for some people whatever she does will never be good enough.

Posted by: kiirsi | 17 Mar 2008 22:55:36

If the headline said "Wife gets 5.5% of husband's wealth" would the reaction be the same?

Posted by: Kristen | 17 Mar 2008 23:04:36

Astounding, Julie! It's his own fault, he should have got a pre-nup?

So the law is appalling, but by not trying to find a get-around it's his own fault? Not that the law is so bad that people will actually attempt to make their own agreements beforehand to avoid it? How many other cases of that do you know?

Maybe it's just his own fault for getting married? Maybe we should all just REFUSE to get married, is that what you want?

This settlement, and others like it, to greedy women (and it is mostly women) who have done nothing to deserve it and are incapable of EARNING it for themselves, is just the thing to render marriage a thing of the past. The law is dreadful. Either it will be changed, or the institution will end.

Your choice, Julie.

Posted by: Jon | 17 Mar 2008 23:15:19

If you look at this seriously odd person's website, there appears to be no opportunity to search it or contact her - it's all self promotion. One wonders if she is a fit person to have custody of a child.

I believe Mr McCartney's other children attended a local state school. Why then does this settlement provide for this child's independent education if not because her mother is using her as a pawn?

Posted by: Haldane | 17 Mar 2008 23:19:35

The truth is, she asked for 40 million for the kid and 80 mille for a cure against woodworm accusing Mc Cartney of having impregnated her selection of legs with a violent strain from the former East Block, Snasislov Wormus
is the name the little fiends go by, said to be distant cousins of the wee Tequila worm, no amount of booze will soak the barroom queen's woes away. She certainly took old Mr Mac upstairs for a riot but he almost wasn't able to heave her across his shoulder. His own songs had more perspective, So one day he rode into town booked himself a room at the whacky hotel, a season in hell, didn't she do well, and proceeded to lie in the corner (in many ways) the Dr came in stinking of tequilad worm and proceeded to remove most of his furniture (didn't he do well? saved for years for when he'd be 64 scrimping and after saving and crawling on knees) Mac you met your match, that wonky eyed
vulture said what a catch and proceeded to empty the bank account, Rocky Tycoon, strolled into his room only to find his wallet almost gone.

Posted by: Dr Terribolly | 17 Mar 2008 23:25:38

Of course marriage is a business opportunity for women. Either remarkably ingenuous or remarkably hypercritical to say otherwise. HM played this perfectly, note girls and benefit.

Posted by: Sean | 17 Mar 2008 23:28:34

This is what I will do: I will change the channel or turn the page to stop this revolting "celeb" from hijacking my time, my TV or my newspaper.
Sorry Paul, you just walk into this! Your problem...

Posted by: RafaChavez | 17 Mar 2008 23:29:04

If there was anything Heather Mills had ever done that was worth £24 million, she would have it already. If there was anything she is ever going to do that's worth £24 million, she wouldn't need Paul's money.

Other people go through far worse marriages and divorces, and no-one gives them millions of pounds. The fact that he has it in no way entitles her to it.

But this is just a sideshow. Paul can afford it. Ordinary people are being cleaned out by divorces, are losing their houses and businesses. People are being stripped of their equity and assets and may have to spend the rest of their lives making it up or starting again.

Stories like this attract attention for the amounts involved, but they aren't the real problem. Paul can afford it. Most people can't. Divorce can ruin lives. The sooner people realise it hits ordinary people so much harder, the better.

Oh, and the price of love? Trust? £24 million. Or everything.

Posted by: Jon | 17 Mar 2008 23:29:38

I think Sir Paul McCartney should try to put his current predicament into perspective. In olden days, if you were unfortunate enough to be robbed by an omniped, it would almost certainly be a pirate. At least he's going to come out of this alive.

Posted by: Gip | 17 Mar 2008 23:35:46

She might have had to go back out on the game so it's a good thing she will not have to get a rail pass or sign on the dole that dough will come in handy.

I think most people will adore her now, nobody will ever think she just married for money.
That poor child will just have to make do with 3000 a month pocketmoney, times are hard, money's short, here's ya Christmas present ya brat. Holds hand out to receive apple and orange.

Latest News

Mc Cartney child to work down mine following advice of hard working blogger

Following advice of blogger here above, Mini Mc Cartney is to spend her fortune on learning about coal, failing that, she may start driving lessons so she can drive a bus or be a long distance lorry driver when she grows up.

Posted by: Terry | 17 Mar 2008 23:38:34

What do you expect when you marry a pathological liar, and who is one of the best gold diggers of modern times.

She deserves a fraction of this amount, and, hopefully we'll never see much of her again.

Stella knew what her game was all the time, and so did most of the rest of us...

Posted by: F.Summers | 17 Mar 2008 23:39:06

Forget the money. They were in love once. When love dies, that`s the real tragedy.

Posted by: anthony | 17 Mar 2008 23:43:56

At least the grasping witch can afford a gold plated leg now

Posted by: dominic lennon | 17 Mar 2008 23:44:52

i think that heather should get what she deserves , ie a bigger chunk of change considering how much mr macca is worth and why should she be penalized just for wanting to get a fair crack of his fortune. In other countries most would get a fifty -fifty share of the fortune , but sadly with england being as it is for single mums who cant find or their exes have dissapered dont get a cent

Posted by: dee | 17 Mar 2008 23:52:58

The guy married her for Gods sake! What does he expect. He's lost just 5% of his massive fortune, that's nothing for a divorce these days.

Lets hope the tight-wad of pop gives some money to charity for his lucky escape...don't hold your breath

Posted by: Sedgwick | 17 Mar 2008 23:57:28

Heather Mills?

U..BU..BLUEARRAAGGGG! BLEAAAH! (SPLATTER!@, SPLATTER!#*!!)
HUAAQGHHH! YEAACH! (SPLATTER!@, SPLATTER!#*!!)

(I beg your pardon! I couldn't help it...felt ill all of a sudden).

Posted by: Garth Strong | 18 Mar 2008 00:04:20

LORIE - "..plus she lost a leg while married to her so deserves more..."

Heather Mills lost her leg in 1993 long before she met Paul McCartney.

Posted by: Rob M | 18 Mar 2008 00:26:18

Mills is an evil and insane witch.

(no, my real name isn't Paul)

Posted by: Ian | 18 Mar 2008 00:54:59

I think both of them were in love. It must have been hard to put up with Paul, he was used to another woman, and Heather just wanted to be loved for herself. A few put downs and violent? fights later, and hubby starts to feel justified to stray to someone who is all-adoring. I'd sue hard for divorce too. Think of the loving dreams shattered. It's not just one sided. Everyone's so ready to hate the woman. I say stop it now, don't get into that habit.

Posted by: jes | 18 Mar 2008 00:58:44

Isn't it a shame that marriage and divorce has come down to this. Didn't Heather have her own business or income prior to her Marrying Paul? I thought that the divorce settlement was to protect women who gave up their single income producting life to marry, support, love and have children with the man they married, when that couple decided that they could no longer be together. Divorce law is a mockery of law. It doesn't protect anyone any more and only perpetuates greed and vengence. As long as the law stands as it is, money grabbing peole will take advantage of it by manipulating those who have money into situations that cause them hurt, distress and eventually depression through the chase for the might dollar. I believe that if a person marries, then, after a period of time, divorces, that the only compensation they should receive is equivalent to wha they could have earned in that period of time themselves. The balance of any settlement that relates to the children should be put in trust for the children and managed by a trustee, not the ex-partner, because they will find some way to get their greed driven hands on the rest. As for the 'lifestyle to which they have become acustomed' well shouldn' that be taken into consideration when they agree to marry? If you don't marry with intent to work through differences and keep commitment and compromise part of your daily life, resulting in separation and divorce, then you shouldn't be entitled to any extra compensation for the lifestyle compensation, as you have not tried to maintain it have you. If you want to keep what you have go that bad through addiction to dollar signs then if you don't put in to make it happen, then you shouldn't get a kick back. That means councelling and mediation and phyc exams to see just how much you care about the relationship or if the mighty buck rules your life. Biased? Bet your boots!

Posted by: sue | 18 Mar 2008 01:05:47

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