March 19, 2008

How much is enough?

Let the healing begin. Sir Paul and his wife have finally received a judgment in their divorce dispute. It gives wife Heather Mills McCartney more than $48.6 million, and child support of $70,000 per year, plus educational expenses for the 4-year-old Beatrice. To the press, the former Mrs. McCartney said she was "So, so happy." Inside the courtroom, however, she allegedly poured a glass of water over Sir Paul's attorney's head.

The 58-page judgment, released over the objections of the ex-wife, reveals the judge's assessment of the relative truth of the claims being made by both sides. Heather had made a case for compensation, claiming that her husband had put a held her back and restricted her career advancement. The Honourable Mr Justice Bennett, however, found that "far from the husband dictating to and restricting the wife's career and charitable activities, he did the exact opposite, as he says. He encouraged it and lent his support, name and reputation to her business and charitable activities. The facts as I find them do not in any way support her claim."

Heather, Heather, Heather. Did you really mean to say that you gave up a lucrative career to become Mrs. Paul McCartney? Had Larry King ever heard of you, let alone asked you to be a guest, before you tied the knot to the most beloved Beatle?

Yes, you are a good mother. Yes, you helped Paul get over Linda's death. Yes, you raised a lot of money for good causes. Yes, it was totally gutsy of you to sign up for "Dancing With the Stars," even though we all know it was a calculated PR move.

Here's where you went wrong, my dear: You trashed an icon. Paul McCartney is a brilliant songwriter. He does good works. He is SIR Paul McCartney, for heaven's sake. Not to mention, he was my girlhood crush.

Whatever Paul's failures, we don't want to hear about them. When you try to smear the character of someone the public loves, it backfires. Our sympathy goes to the smearee and YOU become the villain. Just ask Prince Charles.

Whatever. The deal is done, and it is a big one. The media are citing other large divorce settlements in an effort to put this one in perspective. Here's a different take on it.

In terms of pay per annum, the former Mrs. McCartney comes out with $12.5 million for each year of their marriage.

Yes, Mrs. Michael Jordan got $168 million, but they were married for 18 years. That's only $9.3 million per year.
Even Prince Charles got off cheaply compared to Sir Paul. Princess Diana got a mere $32 million for 15 years of marriage ($2.1 million per) and giving birth to the future King.

Paul McCartney is a fabulously rich man. But he earned his fame and most of his wealth before Heather Mills was even born. If she can't make ends meet on $48 million, she can go back to her lucrative career--now that her husband is no longer holding her back.

___________________________________________________