'I married Paul for love, not money'
Valentine Low, Evening StandardUpdated 15:52pm on 21 Nov 2006
She has been called a golddigger, a fantasist and worse - but Heather Mills insists she married the multi-millionaire Paul McCartney for love, not money.
In a TV interview to be broadcast in the US, the former Beatle's estranged wife makes wide-ranging claims in what is being seen as an attempt to boost her public image.
As well as saying that she fell in love with McCartney "unconditionally", Mills, 38, told the Extra programme that:
• Eighty-five per cent of her income goes to charity.
• She is not having an affair with her trainer.
• She will never marry again.
• Supporters hug her in the street.
"I'm a good mother - I'm a good person," she said in the interview, which is to be broadcast next week. "I fell in love for the right reason. I fell in love unconditionally."
Ms Mills - who is also reported to be in negotiations with ITV over a post-divorce interview - adds: "Eighty-five per cent of my income goes to charity.
"The word gold digger doesn't go with that...If I was a gold digger, I would have a lot of money in my bank account... I'd be worth millions."
The US interview is being interpreted as an attempt to counter the negative publicity she garnered after the leak of divorce papers in which she claims that Sir Paul, 64, was violent towards her.
Ms Mills also denies that she has become romantically involved with Ben Amigoni, 22, her trainer with whom she has been pho --tographed. "I haven't got a lover," she said. "At the moment, I'm focusing on my daughter. It's totally made up!"
Ms Mills said her daughter with Sir Paul - three-year-old Beatrice, whose custody arrangements have not been determined - was her "greatest accomplishment " and described her tumultuous road to pregnancy. "I tried for a long, long time...two ectopic pregnanciesand six miscarriages. They told me I could never have children."
Despite her media image, Ms Mills said she had received spontaneous gestures of affection from strangers. "I have had so much public support...people hugging me in the streets," she said.
Sir Paul, who is believed to be worth £825 million, filed for divorce in July, citing Ms Mills's "unreasonable behaviour".
During the interview Mills does not directly comment on the proceedings, including the deposition in which she alleged physical and verbal abuse. Sir Paul has denied the claims.
Ms Mills appears to be in no hurry to find another husband. When asked if she would ever marry again, she responded with a resounding "Never".
Reader views (6)
Despite every lie she tells, if she truly married Paul for love and not his money, the divorce would be over by now. Poor Paul... and poor Beatrice!
- Jeanie, USA, 23/11/2006 13:06
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She must think we Americans are stupid. Public support for her? Hugging her in the street? (They'd be hit by her or her guard frog sister. Is any of that caught by paparazzi or her every present video camera?) Her greatest achievement being a mother? I guess that's why she leaves her with Paul or her "trainer" while she flits around the world at Paul's expense or doing interviews for American television. What income of HERS? Does she really think we are dumb enough to believe this stuff?
- Laura D, Dallas, USA, 23/11/2006 03:44
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If she wasn't in it for the money, then she would have settled by now.
- Steve Richi, Leeds England UK, 22/11/2006 15:08
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Supporters hug her in the street ?
- Val, London, 21/11/2006 17:13
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She should be embarrassed to say these things. Why do we need to know whether she is having an affair. Does she understand some things should be private. Mills, nobody believed you before, they certainly don't believe you now. The funny thing is if she had remained silent and settled quickly she wouldn't have to plead her case. She just doesn't get it. The more she protests, the more foolish she looks.
- Debbie C, NYC, USA, 21/11/2006 16:57
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If she wasn't in it for the money, then she would have settled by now.
- Theresa, USA, 21/11/2006 16:56
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