McCartney on stage: He has accumulated vast wealth during his music career

The staggering wealth of Sir Paul McCartney has been revealed for the first time as details of his divorce settlement were made public.

Described as "fabulously wealthy by even the standards of the very rich", the one-time Beatles's assets were laid bare in extraordinarily detailed court documents.

These include a string of luxurious properties spanning the globe, a collection of priceless art and his earnings from half a century as a world class musician.

Sir Paul's total fortune comes to £387,012,000, - but not the £800million his embittered ex-wife Heather Mills, 40, had claimed.

The former model was finally awarded less than one fifth of the £125million she demanded and was left with her reputation in tatters after being accused of make-believe.

Her ex husband, however, was called "accurate" and "honest" by the judge.

And despite his vast wealth and fame, Sir Paul emerged as a man desperate to lead as ordinary as life as possible.

His properties include:

• His first purchase, a plush town house in upmarket St John's Wood, London

• A mid-town Manhattan apartment he bought in 1984, as well as a house on the millionaire's playground of Long Island, New York State, and a place in Beverley Hills

• Peasmarsh in East Sussex, a 1,500 acre estate where he spent much of his married life with Linda

• An extensive country retreat in the Mull of Kintyre, Scotland

• Other homes in East Sussex, Essex, Somerset and Merseyside.

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St John's Wood: Sir Paul spends much of his time at this property and his Peasmarsh estate

But the majority of his wealth comes from his business assets, valued at nearly £241million, which include shares in Beatles songs and various top flight companies including Apple Corps.

He has around £15million in the bank, investments of £34million and an extensive art collection valued at £32million.

In his ruling on the Mills McCartney divorce settlement, Mr Justice Bennett said: "During his marriage to Linda the husband's wealth was accumulated.

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Peasmarsh, in East Sussex: Sir Paul's main home with his first wife Linda

Uptown living: Sir Paul's home in New York

"By the time he met his wife in 1999 he was fabulously wealthy by even the standards of the very rich.

"He had accumulated valuable paintings and artwork and properties in England and the USA. His business enterprises are extensive."

Despite the astronomical wealth which he has accumulated over 40 years of fame, a clearer picture of Sir Paul's efforts to lead a comparatively normal life were also laid bare.

It is widely known that he sent his children to local state schools.

But the overwhelming image that emerged from the documents released yesterday is of a man who generally espouses the high life for a quieter existence.

He still spends much of his time at Peasmarsh or his St John's Wood home - and occasionally uses the tube to get to his central London office.

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Scotland: A modest country retreat surrounded by stunning countryside

Seaside retreat: Another British property, this time in Hove

And he was very clear on his ex-wife's demands for security for their daughter Beatrice, four.

"Unless on tour, my older children had very little security," he said.

"They all attended state schools. It is not healthy for a child to have security 24/7.

"It sets them apart from their peers and makes them an object of curiosity and ridicule. Such children live in gilded cages."

Long Island, New York State: A popular playground for the rich and famous, the former Beatles' home is notably modest

Palatial: His Beverley Hills retreat is one of a number of houses Sir Paul owns in the States