Sir Paul McCartney and second wife Heather Mills have announced that they will be getting a divorce. The couple had been married for four years.
In a joint statement, Paul and Heather announced, 'Having tried exceptionally hard to make our relationship work given the daily pressures surrounding us, it is with sadness that we have decided to go our separate ways.'
'Our parting is amicable and both of us still care about each other very much but have found it increasingly difficult to maintain a normal relationship with constant intrusion into our private lives, and we have actively tried to protect the privacy of our child,' the statement continued.
'Separation for any couple is difficult enough, but to have to go through this so publicly, especially with a small daughter, is immensely stressful. We hope, for the sake of our baby daughter, that we will be given some space and time to get through this difficult period.'
Sir Paul and Heather have one daughter, Beatrice Milly, who was born in October 2003.
The former Beatle met the former model through her foundation which campaigns to end the use of land mines and provides prosthetic limbs to the needy. The 37-year-old Mills lost one of her own legs in a motorcycle accident many years ago.
According to a report by NBC News, Mills may receive as much as a quarter of Sir Paul's fortune, estimated at $1.5 billion. Published reports say Mills had offered to sign a prenuptial agreement but McCartney refused her offer.
Sir Paul has three children from his first marriage with the former Linda Eastman. Linda McCartney died of breast cancer in 1998. He is also the stepfather to Heather, the child from Linda's first marriage.
McCartney, 63, was knighted by the queen in 1997. He is considered the most successful musician in rock and roll history based on albums sold by the Beatles, Wings and his solo work.
