our best wishes to Paul and Heather.
our best wishes to Paul and Heather. |
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Update (3/16/05)
Update (3/14/05)
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills will host a benefit gala for „Adopt-A-Minefield“ on 28 May 2005 in German town Neuss (near Duesseldorf) at Swissotel (same place where Heather last year received the first Children In Need UNESCO award). Heather was there today (Thursday 24 Feb) at a press conference, here picture w/French actor Pierre Brice, who supports the project http://www.ngz-online.de/layout/fotos/180x143/HBAq8nl3.jpg The music programme wasn't announced yet, but shall be a surprice with celeb guests. Paul himself wasn't there, but sends a video message http://www.ngz-online.de/layout/fotos/180x143/HBqLkacB.jpg Tickets cost 450 Euro w/200 Euro for the show programme, Champagne reception and a 4 course menue, the rest of the ticket money is for the project. 2 German language links: http://www.ngz-online.de/public/article/nachrichten/journal/79351
http://www.mainpost.de/aaw/boulevard/leute/art574,3001918.html?fCMS=e258b0851f27aa7ad5f47b333408c361 all the best !
Evelyn
Update (2/21/05)
Last night (Feb. 17), Heather was a panel member on the BBC topical/political show Question Time (the panel members are asked a series of questions on topical issues which they then debate/discuss/argue over. Other panel member last night were Diane Abbott (Labour), Nicholas Soames (Tory) John Thurso (Liberal Democrats) and Johann Hari (journalist with the Independent newspaper). They were questioned about a range of subjects (anything you like!) from whether Charles and Camilla to the Kyoto Treaty, to the ban on fox hunting, to screening of immigrants for HIV/AIDS/TB etc. Heather’s on screen caption was “anti landmine campaigner. I thought she acquitted herself pretty well and fair play to her for having the guts to take part in a show like this. Here’s the programme’s website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/question_time/default.stm. Cheers.
And here is a write up on each of the panelists on that show, including Heather.
Hi Steve Admittedly this is a bit late, but I just switched on the TV last night to watch the UK’s “Question Time” programme and Heather Mills McCartney was one of the panel members. For those who don’t know, “Question Time” is a program where each week, different politicians and public figures make up a panel to take questions on issues of the day from an audience made up of the general public. The programme travels to a different city in Britain each week and this week it was in Slough. Heather answered questions on, amongst other things: London’s bid for the 2012 Olympics; the engagement of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles; the fox-hunting ban which comes into effect today in the UK and immigration issues. I thought she did really well and easily held her own along with senior politicians and a newspaper editor. I looked for Paul in the audience but I don’t think he was there. I only live about 10 miles from Slough and it did occur to me to drive over there to see if he was around, but it was 10:30pm and I just couldn’t be bothered! Best regards.
Note from Paul (Print)Over the years people have written so much stuff about me. Some of it is good and some true, but much of it is inaccurate and leads some people to form a distorted view of me and those I love.
Normally I ignore it, telling myself that I can’t answer every single point and that most people know better than to believe it, and prefer to make up their own minds based on what they know to be true. Sometimes, however, these inaccurate articles affect my family and friends, and it is then that I’m tempted to put the record straight. One person in particular, that some of the media can be wildly wrong about is my wife Heather, and it hurts me to see her wounded by these scurrilous reports, and not have anyone to put the record straight. Because of this I thought that it would be a good idea to tell the people who care about us, and believe in what we do, the truth about some of these ridiculous stories, which are made up by people we have never ever met. Recently articles have appeared which need correcting, so here are my thoughts on a few of the points mentioned in them. Heather makes me dye my hair……… not true. It is true that I colour my hair. Wow, Shock Horror! I’ve actually been doing this for many years now with varying degrees of success, but it’s my hair, and if you don’t like the result I’m afraid it’s just too bad, but it’s certainly nothing Heather suggested. I was engaged in this devilish practice years before I met her. I remember a strange blue dye dripping down my forehead on an Australian tour over ten years ago, but let’s face it, if I want to dye my hair pink, that’s up to me and no one else. The suggestion that it was Heather’s doing simply isn’t true. The split between my former publicist Geoff Baker and me has also been attributed to Heather. The actual truth, which I had been trying to spare him the embarrasment of going public with, was that he had gradually been getting more and more unstable over the past few years. The last straw came when a group of friends and I went late one night to see the magician David Blaine doing a stunt by the side of the River Thames. I was keeping out of sight of a small crowd of photographers when to my horror I saw Geoff pointing me out to the paparazzi who then ran towards me in a feeding frenzy. None of us could understand why he had done this, but it was just another example of his crazy behaviour. After that I tried to let him down gently but it was my decision alone to let him go as I didn’t want that kind of instability around me. It was nothing whatsoever to do with Heather. The awkward subject of the Lennon McCartney credits on our songs was also put down to Heather’s influence over me but this actually originated at the time of the Beatles Anthology in 1997 when I, foolishly perhaps, asked for my name to come in front of John’s on the one song, Yesterday. The request was turned down and even though I didn’t see why at the time, it’s something that I don’t have a problem with anymore. But it was plainly before Heather’s time and she therefore couldn’t have had anything to do with it. The media sometimes suggests a rift between my kids and Heather, but in fact we get on great and anyone who knows our family can see this for themselves. Heather and I recently decided to appear on the quiz show Celebrity Millionaire. It was something we had fun doing and incidentally we raised a substantial amount of money for our landmine charity Adopt a Minefield. It’s an insult to my intelligence to imagine me being coerced into something like that. In fact, were both fans of the programme and we had a good laugh taking part in it. Heather is also, according to some of these mischevious writers, supposed to encourage me to ‘go to the opening of an envelope’. Really ? Compared to many people we hardly go to anything unless it’s connected with our charity work. Again, anything we do attend is a joint decision. Some of the stuff that is written is plain malevolence but some of it is so ridiculous that I have to admit it’s funny. One rumour is that Heather has made me have plastic surgery. Now the truth, honest guvner, is that I haven’t had any done, but in flicking through a magazine recently I came across someone who appeared to know better! An LA plastic surgeon had a book out in which he claims I’ve had some work done! OK, now I know it’s not true, but this guy knows better. How ? The proof, he reckons, is that…..wait for it……my ear lobes are too low!…..and, says he, you know how you can tell people have had plastic surgery?……They deny it!!! At first I felt like entering into a long debate with him about it, but it’s so hilarious that I decided not to bother. Although some of these articles can be funny, there are others that are plain malicious and you need to be strong not to be hurt by some of the cruel suggestions that flow from these people’s pens. One of the most shocking recent statements was that “losing her leg was perhaps the best thing that ever happened to Heather as it fed her desire for self publicity” Imagine losing a leg, and dealing with it as bravely as Heather has done and having to read that on top of it! She was reported to always be clinging to me, the inference being that she was too possessive. Never mind the fact that I love her holding my arm, the real truth is that often the surface of a floor or pavement can be dangerous for an amputee to walk on, and a little help from a friend can sometimes be appreciated. These scurrilous writers can’t be bothered to search for the truth of situations like these. There are so many other misapprehensions that are spread by certain sections of the media that it is impossible to answer them all. I only hope that these words of mine help genuine people to get a clearer view of the realities of our lives, and encourage them to think for themselves, and not give credence to words by people who simply don’t care about the truth. Thanks for listening. All the Best,
Paul McCartney.
Update (1/18/05)
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Update (2/17/04)
From http://www.paulweller.com/news/index.shtml, Paul and Heather attended the Funk Brothers concert in London a couple of weeks ago, Jan 30. As you know, Billy Preston was a special guest at that concert. I was at that gig and I saw Paul Weller there, but I didn't see Paul and Heather.
Update (1/24/04)
I just saw the True Hollywood story on E ! about Heather. All fans should see this one. Those of us outside the UK don’t know how famous she was in her own right before she met Paul. It gives you a new perspective on who she is and why Paul respects her and her causes. She’s obviously the genuine article, not a gold digger. It contains comments from brother Mike about how devoted they are to each other, and Larry King for the moment of history-making TV when Heather handed him her leg. It also makes you realize what a “miracle baby” Beatrice is. This match was certainly meant to be. And how about letting A & E network know how much we appreciate their making it possible for us to see Paul’s Red Square concert? (I did!) Maybe we’ll get more programming like this! Email comments at: http://www.aetv.com/global/feedback/faq.jsp#
Update (1/9/04)
Update (12/27/03)
Much ado about nothing . . . I think a lot of folks actually believe Paul sends those emails ! Wake up people !! Fans usually know more detail about an artist than the artist themselves or their management. Someone in Paul's org didn't do their homework. That's all.
Update (12/12/03)
Paul McCartney and James Taylor played Live for first time in 25 years for Adopt-A-Minefield - 23rd September 2003. Paul remembers the special night ! Many of you will know of my support for Adopt-A-Minefield and its work clearing minefields and helping landmine survivors. Each year since 2001 I have performed a live show in LA to raise funds for Adopt-A-Minefield. The first year I played with my longtime friend Paul Simon and last year Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys joined me on stage. In 2003 I hooked up with my old friend James Taylor. Not only was James Taylor one of the first artists that the Beatles’ Apple Record Label signed, but I also sung back up vocals for James in the past and played bass on his 1991 track Carolina In My Mind. We both also performed separately at the “Concert for New York” to raise money for the victims of the September 11th attacks. I have always been an admirer of James’s work, but not since 1968 have we shared the stage and sung together. So it was a pleasure to perform with him again and to relive some old memories. James’s set included Fire And Rain, Carolina In My Mind and Country Road. Following the performance, Jay Leno conducted an auction for Adopt-A-Minefield, then my current band and I took to the stage. We greatly enjoyed performing 10 tracks for the nearly 1,200 attendees. Included in the set were Calico Skies, Blackbird, Eleanor Rigby, Michelle and Let it Be. A highlight for me was James joining me on stage to perform Two of Us. The evening was a great success raising over $ 1.2 million for Adopt-A-Minefield. It’s not too late for you to take action and join in the great success of the Adopt-A-Minefield Campaign. With the Christmas and New Year holidays fast approaching do your shopping with Adopt-A-Minefield. There are many options such as: the “no more landmines” T-Shirts, which I designed and wear at all my concerts (in all sizes including a baby size – I wonder why?), Gift Vouchers for friends, colleagues and loved ones or simply give a donation in the name of someone special. All proceeds go to support Adopt-A-Minefield’s work to clear minefields and provide assistance for survivors of landmine accidents. For details please visit www.landmines.org or www.landmines.org.uk Heather and I hope you and your families enjoy the holidays and the New Year. All the very best, Paul McCartney
Update (11/23/03)
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The Star that Shines So Brighter...
Written by Claudio Dirani - 24th of September - 2003 To Beatrice McCartney A new message arrived for a woman and a man
Whilst both were waiting for a velvet cry
That was the most expected unexpected light
In time
The Star That Shines So brighter
(than everything left behind) She told him it had come as a miracle
Defying worlds and words of badmouth'
Unexpectable shout
That was the most expected unexpected light
In time
The Star That Shines So brighter
(than everything left behind) He - joyful - singing songs that he thought were his alone (alone)
(now it belongs to the ones who love)
She - powerful - strongest than the stongest rock from the universe
(and sweeter than the sweetest sweet)
Finally together now they saw the light
In time
The Star That Shines So brighter
(than everything left behind)
And now they are singing aloud because the world was just waiting for another sunrise
Update (10/24/03)
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Update II (10/6/03)
The paper quotes an unnamed friend as saying, "Heather told me that she and Paul were having a boy. She's thrilled. Well, they both are. She can't wait to be a mum. She's very excited and has been out buying baby clothes." (Thanks to Franco Alvear.)
Update (10/6/03)
Update (9/30/03)
I am holding a virtual Night of 1000 Dinners to raise money for Adopt-A-Minefield over the Internet. They got a big kick out of it at Adopt-A-Minefield. People interested in helping clear landmines, will send they donations to me (made out to Adopt-A-Minefield) by Nov. 6 and I will forward all the funds collected to Adopt-A-Minefield. In the US, donations are tax deductible and any contribution of $100 or over will be provided with a receipt.
Linda
Update (9/27/03)
After checking in to the Beverly Hilton, I scoped the place out. The man who checked me in had told me they had a capacity of 1000 and it was sold out. He also told me the VIP's were going to be at a separate entrance and in a separate room while we peons had cocktails. While I was waiting for the big event, a worker came to my room to change the filters, and said security was really tight, but it was going to be fun night. He was all excited because he had just seen Paul come into the hotel. When I went to pick up my ticket for my table, they had given me the wrong type of seat. They had given me a $500 seat and I had paid more than that. I immediately spoke with the PR person, who I had spoken to many times over the phone and she should have known what I was doing. She told me to go take my seat and to check back later and they would see what they could do. Needless to say I made a complete nuisance of myself. I didn't audit tax returns for 25 years without learning to be aggressive! Every time I would return to my original table, there would be more people at it sitting in the seat I had told somebody to save while I went to see what was going on. Ultimately, she did move me to a much better table, where I should have been all along--only they were there to see James Taylor! They thought I was hilarious. They are going to be severely disappointed because they left after James' set and missed the Two of Us. As you probably know, Jay Leno was the emcee and he is totally involved and does a great job. The food was great as usual. They showed a video narrated by HMM that included footage from the Dogs of Peace special from Animal Planet. The video ended with the last verse of Calico Skies--all of us crazy soldiers, the weapons of war we despise, etc. It was very moving. Before Jay introduced P&H to introduce the awards, they played a PSA they want us to distribute in our areas. It was very moving and graphic. Apparently Paul went to the restroom, because as Jay went to introduce them, he said "Even legends have to go to the bathroom!" When Paul and Heather came on stage, Paul said he thought the video would be longer. They presented the awards. Paul was wearing a suit jacket and white shirt with cufflinks. Heather wore a white or cream dress, sleeveless and low cut, with a pleated floor length skirt with a slit way up high. Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones got an award for having a party at their house and raising $450,000. Now all of my family and friends couldn't raise that much money! Another award went to 140 students from the International Baccalaurette program who used grass roots efforts to raise money. They were represented by a group of 10, 8 girls who all got a guess from Paul. I was so jealous! They didn't even faint! Paul rubbed Heather's growing belly with great pride on his face while the student gave her speech. Finally. James Taylor was introduced. I'm afraid I don't know the names of all of his music, but he did seven songs, I think. He said he was so excited when Paul signed him to Apple in 1968 and has a recurring dream that he is singing a song on stage and looks to his left and Paul is playing bass. He said his dream since 1968 has been to play with a Beatle! He played one song, historians help me out, Dirty Low Down Shame that he said included reference to the Beatles and how they were breaking up and Paul had played bass on it when it was recorded. James then pointed to his watch and left the stage. While they changed the stage, Jay Leno auctioned off some goodies. First were two sculptures by Conrad Atkinson that went for $7000. Next was original art by Paul. They had two of the same one. There was a bidding war and they went for $22,000 each. Brian Wilson got one. The stage wasn't ready yet, so Jay went backstage and got Paul's autograph and a small doodle on his seat ticket. Their was a fierce bidding war and Jay ended up getting Paul to autograph Heather's ticket, too and they went for $12,000 each. Then the amazing one. Jay was still killing time so he said we will auction off the Sharpie that Paul just used to sign these autographs. I forgot to say that Catherine Zeta-Jones bid $25 for an autograph! Well, the Sharpie went for $2,000! Jay said he couldn't believe it as there are hundreds of thousands of Sharpie's out there and how are you ever going to prove this one was touched by Paul. Then Paul and the band came out. The band didn't get to mingle with the VIP's. They entered with us, spoke to us and signed some autographs. As I said yesterday, here is the set list. These were mostly songs done on the European leg of the tour. I've also included my editorial comments. I've Just Seen A Face - absolutely beautiful
Things We Said Today - this had been dropped by the time I got to London so I hadn't heard it since the 1993 tour
Calico Skies - my favorite song from Flaming Pie and the song I went to London to hear!
Blackbird - He told no stories to any of these songs
We Can Work It Out - Somebody yelled out auction off the guitar!
Great Day - Another of my favorites from Flaming Pie. It made me cry because Rusty and Brian were doing Linda's vocals literally minutes before her birthday.
Michelle - With the same story he told on the tour and we crazy fans screamed about the black turtleneck sweater
Two of Us with James Taylor - Paul talked about signing James to Apple in 1968 and how weird it was to be sharing mikes again after all these years and how it was a good thing James was right handed and Paul was left handed. When they were finished with this fabulous song, Paul said to James, you finally got to play a Beatles song with a Beatle, a classic moment in my opinion Let It Be - Which many of you know is my song. He changed the lyrics to Mother Mary comes down to me, which also brought tears to my eyes. It was a wonderful night for a wonderful cause. If you want any of the grim details on landmines, feel free to e-mail me at maccascruff@msn.com or go to landmines.org.
Update (9/25/03)
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Update (9/22/03)
Mills McCartney talks pregnancy
Lady Heather Mills McCartney turned a devastating loss into a powerful force for good. Mills McCartney, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident, campaigns against the use of land mines. She married former Beatle Paul McCartney in 2002 and the couple is expecting their first child later this year. Heather Mills McCartney sits down with Larry tonight at 9 p.m. ET to talk about life, her pregnancy and her husband.
Update (9/18/03)
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Hi, Steve, I have Access H'wood on in the background here, and they just said that Paul and Heather will be appearing at the Landmines Benefit in Hollywood on Sept. 23.
Update (8/26/03)
Update (8/23/03)
Update (8/9/03) From Mike Sommer:
To add on to Patti's story on Paul at Yankee Stadium the other night, as a diehard Beatle (and Yankee) fan, I can tell you that the song that is played when Yankee Hideki Matsui comes to bat is "Day Tripper"
Update (8/8/03)
Paul and Heather were seated in the VIP section at the Yankees game at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night (Yankees vs. Rangers). Paul was shown on camera a few times on the YES network (Yankees cable channel). He was shown chatting with Senator Chris Dodd (D. Connecticut) at one point (the silver haired guy in the news photos and on the TV if you saw it.)When the Japanese born Yankee slugger Hideki Matsui comes to bat they always play a Beatles song, the Beatles being his favorite band. He came to bat in the third inning and they played a Fab Four song (I forget which one!) and Paul gave the camera the thumbs up and sang along.
If you go to the Yahoo news photos and search on Paul's name you'll find several photos of him and Heather from that night.
Also, there was a report that while Ringo was in town on tour Paul and Heather had dinner with Ringo and Barb...so much for the stories about a rift...
Update (7/23/03)
There was a post on one of the forums on paul's website about Heather's appearance at a conference in Boston where she was to give a speech the first week of July. She mentioned that she was 5 months pregnant and due in November. (One London paper was saying she was due in October.)
Update II (7/9/03)
Update (7/8/03)
Some misc. stuff for your site- I was looking for more Wimbledon pics, and thus entered "McCartney" at Rexfeatures.com. There were no new Paul pics; however, there was a pic of Mary McCartney attending the Charlie's Angels 2 London premiere on July 1. I've not seen it mentioned on anyone's site yet, so she apparently flies a bit under the radar, even at a big film premiere! Also at Rexfeatures were new photos of Stella, out shopping with Portia de Rossi and some other "unidentified" friends; perhaps Francesca Gregorini (Ringo's stepdaughter and Portia's girlfriend) is among the unidentified group (I imagine that's the obvious connection between Stella and Portia). And this is a bit late, but the June 12th Daily Echo (Liverpool) carried an article about the "Imagine" Stella McCartney documentary airing on the BBC, and said that one can see a photo in it of Stella and Heather Mills on the subway in Tokyo, while both were attending Paul's concert in Japan. This was the first mention I've seen of Stella having attending Paul's Tokyo concert, so apparently his kids can fly under the radar when they want to. Makes me wonder if they WERE at things like Paul's b'ay party, but just went unnoticed.
Hi Steve,The picture of Paul and Heather..... sure looks like George Martin sitting just below Heather. Anyone else notice??
Update (7/7/03)
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Update (6/26/03)
"The McCartney's aren't saying, but close friends are -- that it's a boy. Name's Joseph. In honor of Sir Paul's favorite Uncle Joe. Look, I wasn't there when the baby got made. I won't be there when the baby gets born. I'm only passing along what I'm told."
Update (6/25/03)
Your link about this news is maybe incorrect. The local paper here, the Portsmouth Evening News, reported yesterday that Heather did get an Honorary degree on Saturday,but from the Open University and the event was held at the Portsmouth Guildhall.
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Update (5/31/03) The Age and the Guardian have two interesting pieces with similar themes: Has Heather Mills McCartney deserved all the nasty press she's received in the past and will it continue now that she's pregnant? The gist of the Guardian's essay may be in this paragraph: "The more interesting question, then, is: why are people so horrible about Heather? What did she ever do to us? Well, actually, she did something very terrible: she had just about the richest and most eligible widower in Britain fall in love with her and marry her. But this is not only about envy or jealousy. It is also about her temerity in filling the space left by Linda McCartney, Paul's first wife, who died of breast cancer in 1998." Of course, the tabloids are bubbling over the fact that Paul's children have made no public statement about the pregnancy, which, of course, is being interpreted as disapproval. The Evening Standard reported she "refused" to make a statement. Other members of the family, however, have all expressed joy over the news. (Thanks to Karl Wallendszus and João Paulo Petersen for contributing links.)
Update (5/30/03) 
Paul and Heather appeared in public Thursday for the first time since the announcement that the McCartneys will become parents, reports the BBC. Paul and Heather posed for pictures, with Paul commenting, "I can't think why you want a picture." Later, at a concert in Sheffield, he introduced a song with, "We've got good news now." The couple wouldn't reveal anything else to the press. "We're not doing any talking," they said.
Update (5/29/03)
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Update II (5/17/03)
Update (5/15/03)
Just a note to let you know that Heather Mills McCartney will be the subject of a BBC1 show next Tuesday entitled 'Tabloid Tales'. Previous subjects have been interviewed for the shows, which look back over how they have been treated - fairly or unfairly - by the British press. A timely response to Channel 4's 'The Real Mrs. McCartney'? Keep up the good work.
Update (5/14/03)
I was not shocked by the content of this programme, first, because I had heard it all before (although,strangely, alot of the stories seem to have got more lurid with re-telling...), and secondly, because even if they were all 100% true, the accusations really are not that terrible. What I do find shocking is that people want to expose and demonise Heather and condemn her what they perceive she has "done" to Paul. I think this says more about society`s attitude to strong and powerful women than anything else.
Update (5/13/03) More reviews of the Heather doc. First, from Peter Fitzpatrick:
well.....you asked !! I'm in Ireland but we receive TV from the UK. I had not intended watching this TV programme but a neighbour who stopped by was curious so I entered into the dark and murky world of TV journalism. For anyone not familiar with 'Channel 4' this is a TV station that is very focus'd on the arts and entertainment. Typically the output is high quality though in recent years they have had to bow to commercial pressures (unlike the BBC they do not receive any state-funding via TV license fees). Heather Mills is not the first 'celebrity' to be featured in such programmes and I expect it was only a matter of time. I can't say I have an opinion on Heather Mills one way or another - I'm interested in the music of Paul McCartney. Apparently Heather is his wife..... big deal ! My take on the programme was that they chose to focus exclusively on areas of her past life that Paul & Heather are unlikely to bring to the attention of the general public. Quite what the purpose and benefit gained from this is a mystery to me. If Heather Mills was an elected public representative I could see some point to the exercise. Balance ? No. It wasn't balanced. As a piece of journalism it failed in that respect. The end titles said that Heather Mills was invited to contribute to the programme but declined - well let's face it who could blame her ? (more to the point - why should she ?) The opening section of the programme was reasonably positive however it was only presented in this way in order to give the impression of a "dark side" to Heather Mills that followed the commercial break - and there is the raison d'etre of the show : money. What I learned from the programme is that there are some people out there who don't like her. There are people out there that don't like me and I honestly hope they're never given airtime ! Should it be any different for Heather Mills ? Well - she is happy to use media organizations when it suits her (as does any celebrity) and has now learned that those same media organizations can (and will) use her when it suits them. Remember : those that can do....those that can't merely write about it.
Hi I live in the UK and watched the documentary the other evening. I was interested to see what the programme would uncover that might confirm/deny anything I’d already read about Heather. Unfortunately, the programme did neither. There was nothing new that I hadn’t already read before. Yes, they found lots of people who had plenty of negative things to say about Heather. But why should we believe them rather than what Heather says? Neither side of the story provides any actual proof – it is all just hearsay. Of course, an ex-husband might be expected to have a negative view, especially as he was ‘dumped’ for other lovers, and you would expect his family also to have a negative view of Heather. The lady they showed who alleges there was no sexual abuse may be in denial herself. But just because these people say Heather is a fantasist and a compulsive liar, doesn’t mean that she is. And even if she is, who really cares? I’m sure most people have done things in their lives that might not stand up to scrutiny and that they’re not particularly proud of. Maybe she’s matured now and is more stable than she was. Paul is an adult who is free to make his own decisions. But unlike one of your correspondents I would say this was definitely not a balanced view. Balance would suggest there were alternative arguments put forward, to let the viewer then make up his/her own mind. But this was certainly not the case. In my view the programme was just like the others in this series, of which there have been several in the recent past on UK TV: very shallow, lacking in evidence and fact, and based purely on subjective opinion.
Update (5/12/03) Two reviews of the Heather Mills McCartney documentary on the UK's Channel 4. First, from Richard Moore:
My feelings on the documentary were that it was far from"Balanced". Sensationalism was the name of the game. The majority of the interviewees obviously had a good reason to dislike Mrs Macca from the start. Ex-husbands and sister-in-laws, love rivals, estranged relatives and Journalists (one of whom remarked that Heather was the reason the British people "hated" Paul - Odd then that he should have just had a sell out tour!) etc... There were very few who actually had anything positive to say. No friends, no other family, no one who actually knows her now. Very little was mentioned about her charitable work and much made out of topless photographs video footage, rumour and gossip. I don't know quite what to think about her myself hopefully time will tell - although I don't consider Paul to be someone who could be easily hoodwinked into marriage by a gold digger. After all, he's seen through many people in the past. He was the only one who wasn't taken in by Allen Klien for instance! One thing is clear the makers of the documentary clearly dislike Heather and were out to make her sound as bad as possible. I'm waiting for follow up programs on Hitler, Genghis Khan, Dr Crippen and the Yorkshire Ripper who they'd probably treat with more respect! I'd be interested to know what anybody else thought!
Next from Nigel Tant in Exmouth, Devon, UK:
I noticed you asked for some comments from the UK about the Heather Mills documentary. Frankly, I wasn't even going to watch it as I am not really interested in Paul's private life - he's a grown up after all. But it came on and I became fascinated, not because of the Paul connection, but by the depth of feeling of those who have been involved with her. Now, for instance, I had always accepted the line that Heather was a 'top model'. The fact that I had never heard of her was hardly surprising; I could only name about 2 'top models' if pushed! But it became clear that her claims, to have been a successful model had been made up after her accident and there is no supporting evidence to be found to support her story. There are some glamour shots from the 80's, but that is about it. It became clear that this was not untypical behaviour. As her life story unfolded through those who knew her, it became clear that her behaviour as a self-centered fantasist was a recurring theme. Much of this centered on claims in her autobiography which were rubbished by various former friends and associates. The programme made it plain that her childhood was very troubled (particularly with a violent father) and it was actually very sympathetic towards her in that respect, but a succession of former friends, along with her first husband, her stepfather and others, all described her bizarre behaviour. One friend vividly described the circumstances when they were the subject of sexual abuse as children, but dismissed Heather's version of events, as it was, in fact she alone that had been through this horrific experience when Heather had been allowed to leave. She was obviously reluctant to talk about this, but had been outraged by Heather's version. They were not all unsympathetic (her stepfather sadly descibed her as a 'damaged person'), but one felt they weren't all making this up! In adult life, her succession of rich boyfriends who she met later at parties in London showed her as a golddigger who craved attention and the high life. Many said that she was very adept at using her sex appeal to get what she wanted. Was there a hint there of something more sordid? Her behaviour became increasingly outrageous, perhaps even more so after her accident where she had a succession of fiances and boyfriends. It was clear that it was she who attracted the media and encouraged them to make her famous. The implication is that she used the accident to draw attention to herself. The programme did emphasise the charity work she has done and the courage she showed in recovering and making use of the tragedy to help others, and there were interviews with admirers of this work. This was rightly applauded. Paul hardly featured until it was pointed out that the recently tinted hair and clothes sense may have had something to do with her! All in all. I found it quite fascinating, not least because I hadn't taken any interest in the bits of gossip I had read (I don't read those newspapers!). I thought it was well balanced, with the information coming from those who knew her. It wasn't a sensationalised programme; it admired her work for charity and was unremitting in emphasising the troubled childhood she endured. I came away feeling quite sorry for her and hoping she has at last found some peace in her life. I would be interested to see if anyone else got the same feelings as I did over this.
Update (5/11/03) The UK Sun reports that Heather Mills McCartney is being sued by a friend after Heather claimed the friend and herself were attacked sexually when they were younger. The report is false, says the friend, who claims it was she alone, not Heather, who was attacked. The Sun said the McCartney camp refused to comment. (Thanks to Leo Teunissen.)
Update (5/9/03) The Channel 4 Heather Mills McCartney documentary grabbed big ratings, getting 3.7 million UK viewers, one out of five watching TV, reports Media Guardian.
Update (5/7/03)
Update (4/28/03) Paul and Heather biked unnoticed in Brighton recently, reports the UK Mirror.
Update (4/16/03)
Update (4/14/03)
Update II (3/28/03)
Update (3/25/03)
Update II (3/24/03)
Steve- Just an interesting on the HM is pregnant story: If true, that would make Paul, at least, very consistent. According to the tab, Heather is three months pregnant, which would make her due in September. Mary McCartney was born in late August, and Stella and James were born a day apart in September (different years), meaning all three kids have birthdays within about two weeks of each other. Could a Mills-McCartney baby continue that trend? Oh, those winter nights...
Update (3/11/03)
Hello Steve! I just found something that might be of interest: Heather has been given the award to the working woman in Spain. The article is here: http://es.celebrities.yahoo.com/030310/4/2lhef.html (It's in Spanish.)It says that she went personally to receive the award from Isabel Ferrer for her social and personal merits and trayectory. The ceremony took place on Saturday, the day in Spain for the working women. Heather gave thanks for the award, and she attended dressed very elegantly.
Update (3/10/03)
Update (2/11/03)
Update (2/6/03) 
A look at Heather in the Red Magazine layout. (Thanks to Shelley Stafford.)
Update (1/20/03)
Update II (1/10/03)
Update (1/10/03)
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Update (12/13/02)
Update (12/11/02)
Update (12/9/02)
Update (12/4/02)
Update II (11/26/02)
Update (11/23/02)
Paul McCartney will be on Entertainment Tonight (ABC), Monday Nov. 25th (check local listings for airtime). Featuring Paul and Heather, their lives behind the scenes, life at home with the McCartneys.
Thanks for a great site,
Update (11/22/02)
Update (11/19/02)
Update (11/16/02)
Update (11/10/02) News of Heather's new book containing vegetarian recipes has ignited a storm of criticism from fans and the press, including this article from the Weekend Australian.
Update (11/8/02) Heather's next book, after her recently published autobiography, "A Single Step," will be a vegetarian cookbook, reports People News. The New York Post, however, reports it'll be more a Martha Stewart-type homemaking book that will include vegetarian recipes. The People News report quotes one unnamed publisher who rejected the book as saying, "Her giving the how-to of vegetarian food is treading on the toes of Paul's beloved late wife, Linda, and will not go over well." Our comment: Would the publisher be happier if she wrote a beef cookbbook? (Thanks to Kathryn Landis and Patti Murawski.)
Update (11/6/02) Paul and Heather travel to India for a spa technique called Shiridara, the ancient art of pouring hot oil directly onto the forehead. It's supposed to open up creativity in the brain, reports Extra TV.
Update (11/4/02) A report on Heather's New York book signing from Frank C. Branchini:
Monday, October 28, 2002
We arrived at Barnes and Noble well before 9 am and Jennifer and I had time for a short walk through Rockefeller Center and by the live filming of the Today Show before meeting Rosemary Rieman. Rosemary lives on Long Island. We first met on Charles!!! Rosenay's 1994 Magical Mystery Tour. Rosemary and I spent 30 hours together on the sidewalk in front of this very Barnes and Noble store last year waiting to meet Sir Paul at the Blackbird signing. We arrived back at Barnes and Noble at around 11 am. There were about twenty people in line. We figured some of them must have gone to the studio where Heather was appearing live on the Regis Philbin show that morning and then come over to Barnes and Noble when that ended. As a not so unpleasant reminder of bad attitude of the Barnes and Noble employees at the Blackbird Signing, one of the same surly employees walked up and down the line shouting that we had to have a book to get in. That was okay. What was not so okay was his not taking my word that I indeed had just bought the book inside the store and put the Barnes and Noble bag with the book inside my Toys R Us bag to consolidate what I was carrying. I refused to dig through the bags just to prove I had purchased the book and after scowling at me for a few minutes he found some one else to harass. Of course, the staff people inside the store were selling multiple copies of the books and assuring buyers that Heather would sign more than one copy while the ill-tempered man outside was insisting it would be one signature per person. We just happened to be at a place where the line stretched across the entrance to an adjoining building. They had, sensibly, broken the line around the building entrance so people could get in and out. As the line continued to grow we were amused at how many people tried to sneak in behind us. We politely but firmly directed them to the end of the line, but most of them must have seen all of those people lined up along the sidewalk holding copies of One Step and Barnes and Noble bags. After a while we could begin to distinguish between the truly oblivious people and the people who obviously knew that we were not at the end of the line but thought they might be able to cut in. Heather arrived a few minutes before 1 pm. We didn't notice until she was going in the door. There were a couple of New York City policemen on the sidewalk near the entrance. One of them told us of meeting Paul McCartney at the Concert for New York. He said Paul was very nice and he commented on how much Paul had done for the city. It reminded me of the way people in Liverpool tell visitors stories about their encounters with the Beatles. There were about 75 people on line when the signing began. It was the same set up as for Paul: no cameras, a table was set up on a corner of the store near the 47th Street entrance, the corner was blocked off from the rest of the store by bookcases, and there were lots and lots of photographers and tv crews positioned in front of the table photographing everything that went on. The people on line were let in one at a time and had an opportunity to speak with Heather. She did personalize the signings and she did sign multiple copies. Every one who was on line go in, and one of the truly obnoxious dealers actually went through the line twice. He was the dealer who tried unsuccessfully to cut in line at the Blackbird Signing. He was with the man who at the Blackbird Signing yelled obscenities at other people on line when he was asked if he could move back a little to give the people further forward a little more space on the sidewalk. First up in our group was Jennifer Tobin. Jennifer was one of the few people there who was not there as a Beatle fan. Jennifer's father recently had his leg amputated due to recurring tumors and Heather is a huge inspiration to him. Jennifer mentioned that her father had his leg amputated and Heather began asking her questions about the amputation and what kind of tumor he had. She told Jennifer she had done research on different types of tumors and told Jennifer that she would send her information if she would contact Heather by e-mail. After inquiring about how Jennifer's father was doing, Heather asked Jennifer several times how she was doing. Later, when Heather was leaving, she was in the limo with the window rolled down and she turned to Jennifer and wished her "Good luck." I was up next. I was struck by how exceptionally beautiful Heather really is. She is absolutely stunning. She was wearing a black skirt and blouse with a white blouse underneath the black one so there was a white collar framing her neck. The contrast between the black and white was very effective and perfectly highlighted Heather's face and blonde hair. He hair was up. She was wearing an exquisite diamond pendant on a chain. Her wedding ring was on her right hand and on her wedding band hand she was wearing a stunning ring with red and white stones. I was clearly unprepared for this meeting. I had nothing to say other than thanking her. She offered to personalize my book and signed it: To Frank. Lots of love. Heather Mills McCartney." Rosemary followed me. Heather noticed Rosemary's tour pin with a photograph of Paul and said "He's cute." "Yeah, well, you should know," Rosemary responded. Heather asked if Rosemary wanted her book personalized. "Yes, one's for me - Rosemary." Heather told her, "That's my favorite herb. I cook with it all the time." While we were waiting on line Rosemary and I had discussed the fact that Paul was performing at the Staples Center in Los Angeles that evening and wondered why Heather wasn't going to be there. So Rosemary asked Heather if she liked following the tour. She responded, "Well, we're still on tour. I got two hours sleep last night. I'm flying back tonight so I don't miss the show." Rosemary told Heather that she was wearing a nice dress. She responded that "Everybody says that. It's just a blouse, it only cost $60." Rosemary then shook hands with her. While I am not particularly bothered not to have thought of anything more intelligent to say to Heather, I do wish I would have thought to shake her hand. There is at least one in every crowd of Beatle Fans: Back outside a small group of people gathered to try to get photos of Heather leaving the store. Among them a middle-aged rumpled looking guy stood next to Rosemary. Rosemary mentioned that Heather had said that she had flown all night to come to the signing and the man started babbling over and over "She took the red eye. She took the red eye, huh. She took the red eye." Rosemary backed away from him and he turned to me: "She only has one leg, right?" "Yes . . ." I responded cautiously. "How does she walk around?" he asked. I, too, started to back away. The signing was done and we knew Heather would come out of the store at any minute so we all had our cameras ready. He then planted himself firmly in front of Rosemary, completely blocking her view. Fortunately for him, he moved when she said something. I'm sure she would have punched him had he not moved. Then he moved directly in front of me. Fortunately for him, he moved again before Heather came out. Rosemary, Jennifer and I were right at the driver's door of her car when she came out. My view was blocked by the crowd but she got in the car and rolled down the window and then posed for pictures. There were two young women. She posed with one and then waited while the other women came to stand next to the car to have her picture taken. I managed to get two good photos. I came away from the signing with a great deal of affection and respect for Heather. She is in a terrible no-win situation. Like Linda and Yoko she was successful long before she married a Beatle. She had a career as a model and she was extremely well-respected (and deservedly so) for her work with amputees. Then she marries a Beatle and the press treats her as if her only noteworthy attribute is being a Beatle wife. Even worse, a lot of the press and a lot of fans turn on her. At Barnes and Noble she was confronted with people who, for the most part, were there just because she was married to Paul. Many of the people who were there were not entirely sure they even liked her. And the press treats her the same way. She wants to talk about "Adopt a Minefield" and all they want to talk about is what it is like being married to Paul. She seems like a person who does not suffer fools gladly so she is bound to have a tough time. Rosemary, Jennifer, and I, and the other people we talked to at the signing all came away being charmed. I wish Heather and Paul much happiness together! - Frank C. Branchini
Heather Mills McCartney
Barnes and Noble
Rockefeller Center
New York, New York
BeatleFanFCB@hotmail.com
Update (11/2/02)
Update II (11/1/02)
KING: Dayton, Georgia -- hello. Hello, Dayton, Georgia. Are you there?
CALLER: Hi. This is Dayton, New Jersey. KING: Oh, New Jersey. They told me Georgia. Go ahead. CALLER: Oh, OK. Heather, I think the work you do with the amputee children is really wonderful. I have an 11-year-old son who was born with his lower right leg missing. And I just was wondering where you get these wonderful-looking prosthesis because I sure would like to have something similar for him. MILLS MCCARTNEY: If you go onto my Web site or e-mail Heather@heathermills.org we can give you all the information where you can get this prosthesis.
Kristen told us about the experience:
I only dialed for about 6 or 7 minutes before I got through. I couldn't believe it was ringing, and I was thinking, omigod, now what do I ask?? When the lady answered, she asked me what my question was, then told me to turn the TV on mute and hold on, that I'd be able to hear the interview over the phone, which I could. I haven't watched the playback yet (on the vcr) because as soon as I hung up, my phone started ringing with all my Beatle fan buddies calling and screaming, I heard you, I heard you!
But I was serious about the question...my son gets his prostheses thru Shriner's Hospital, so it doesn't cost us anything, which is a blessing. But I'd love for him to have a very good one someday. Right now, he beats the heck out of them becoz he's very active, plays all kinds of sports, etc.
Update (10/31/02)
Update (10/30/02)
Update (10/29/02)
Update (10/27/02)
Update II (10/26/02) In her ABC interview with Barbara Walters that aired Friday night, Heather Mills McCartney said the past year has been "horrendous, publicly. Really, probably the worst year of my life" because of the nonstop tabloid stories about their marriage. She says she wrote her new book, "A Simple Step," to answer her critics.
She describes Paul McCartney as "very flighty and artistic and creative. And so he brings the child out in me. You know, he'll say, 'Let's go run in the ocean.' … And I'm like, oh, I've got to put my leg off … and he said, 'I'll give you a piggyback. Let's just run in.' So he brings out that kind of free spirit in me,"When he proposed, Paul took her to the Lake District in the north of England. "I thought someone had shot him in the back of the kneecaps 'cause he just fell to the ground." She gasped and asked if he was all right, and he said, "I love you. Will you marry me?"
Heather said she wanted to sign a prenuptial agreement. "[His children] were worried about it in the beginning. But I wanted to sign a prenuptial to say I want nothing. They couldn't believe it. They were over the moon. And we all have a very, very good relationship." She also explains why she didn't ask Paul's daughter, designer Stella McCartney, to design her wedding dress. "I didn't want to put Stella under pressure. Because I don't care how much we get on, I wouldn't want to make a wedding dress for my father's new wife, because I would feel in a dilemma of not thinking in the memory of my late mum. So I never asked her. And she never offered."She talked about her relationship with Paul. "This is a man that has had his own way his entire life. You know, you become that famous at 19, it's sometimes hard to listen to, you know, other people's opinions. … So I am very opinionated and so is he." To charges that he's "henpecked," Paul says, "She can be a little overbearing. She can be a little bit bossy, because she's so single-minded. … I will sometimes say, 'Hey, wait a minute, you're bossing me around.'" She admits she's bossy, but says "men need to be bossed" — even Paul McCartney."
She says, "I would love nothing more than … to live a more anonymous life. ... If the press keeps attacking me, I might have to be a stay-at-home wife. I mean, my life would be a lot easier. I could just do lunch, darling."