Inside Paul McCartney’s Family Tree—From Linda and Heather to Stella, James and 8 Grandkids
As The Beatles were breaking up, Paul McCartney found true love, beginning his long family journey
When you think of Paul McCartney, chances are that the first things to come to mind are mop tops, screaming fans—aka Beatlemania—and the greatest songs ever written. As a part of The Beatles, he helped shape modern music, while as a solo artist he’s pushed boundaries for decades. But beyond the fame, McCartney’s life has been deeply rooted in family, this global icon also being a husband, a father and a grandfather, whose personal story is as layered as his music.
Over the years, Paul’s family life has oftentimes been the focus, whether through joyous milestones or public heartbreaks. From his famously loving marriage to Linda McCartney to the tumultuous years with Heather Mills and now his steady partnership with Nancy Shevell, each chapter has added new branches to the McCartney family tree. And his children—ranging from fashion powerhouse Stella to musician James and photographer Mary—have carved out creative paths of their own, while also continuing the legacy of their famous dad in such personal ways.
Then there are the grandchildren, the next generation quietly growing up in the shadow of pop culture royalty, but largely shielded from the spotlight. It’s fascinating to see how Paul’s family has grown and evolved—an intricate mix of public and private moments that paint a fuller picture of the man behind the music.
Paul and Linda McCartney (married from 1969 to 1998)
Paul McCartney married American photographer Linda Eastman on March 12, 1969, which coincided with the time that The Beatles were nearing their end. Linda, a single mother to daughter Heather, was fiercely loyal and able to ground Paul during a turbulent time when he was coping with the end of the Fab Four while finding a new direction for himself. The couple had three children of their own—Mary, Stella and James—and remained inseparable, with Linda joining Paul’s post-Beatles band, Wings, despite limited musical training.
Their marriage was one of the most enduring and loving in rock history, with Paul often describing Linda as his rock and muse. When Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1995, Paul stayed by her side, reportedly never spending a night away from her during her illness. She passed away in 1998, and her death devastated Paul, who has consistently honored her memory in interviews and songs.
Heather McCartney
Born Heather Louise See on December 31, 1962, in Tucson, Arizona, Heather McCartney is the daughter of the former Linda Eastman and Joseph Melville See Jr., an American geologist. Following her parents’ divorce after an 18-month marriage, Heather was raised by her mother. In 1969, Linda married Paul McCartney, who adopted Heather at the age of six (with her biological father’s approval). Reflecting on this, Heather has expressed that while See had a lifelong influence on her, she considers Paul her true father.
Heather’s early exposure to the arts began with photography, earning her the Young Black and White Printer of the Year Award for her photo titled “Waterfall.” She later attended art school, focusing on pottery and design. Her artistic journey led her to Mexico, where she lived among the Huichol and Tarahumara tribes, immersing herself in their cultures. She also spent time in Arizona with her biological father before returning to England to pursue her career as a potter.
In 1999, Heather launched the Heather McCartney Houseware Collection, showcasing her unique designs. Like her parents and siblings, she is a committed vegetarian and advocates for animal rights.
Heather made appearances in the Beatles’ film Let It Be (1970) and the documentary series The Beatles: Get Back (2021).
Despite her family’s public prominence, Heather has maintained a private life, focusing on her artistic endeavors and personal growth. She’s also expressed contentment in solitude, stating, “I’m comfortable on my own. I don’t need to be with other people—unless they actually feel they want to be with me.”
Mary McCartney
Mary Anna McCartney was born on August 28, 1969, at the Avenue Clinic in London, England. She’s the first biological child of Paul and Linda McCartney and named after her paternal grandmother, Mary McCartney, who died in 1956. Raised in a vegetarian household, Mary has maintained a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism and animal rights advocacy.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Mary pursued a career in photography, beginning professionally in 1992 by focusing on portraiture and fashion, and capturing candid and intimate moments of her subjects. Her photographic subjects have included Kate Moss, Lou Reed, Jude Law and her sister, Stella McCartney. Her photographs have been featured in publications like Harper’s Bazaar and British Vogue. In 2010, Mary published From Where I Stand, a book that showcases a selection of her photographs from the mid-1990s onward.
Expanding her creative pursuits, Mary ventured into filmmaking, directing the 2022 documentary If These Walls Could Sing, which explores the history of Abbey Road Studios. The film features interviews with artists such as Elton John, Jimmy Page and her father.
Beyond photography and film, Mary is an accomplished cookbook author and culinary advocate. She has written several vegetarian cookbooks, including Food: Vegetarian Home Cooking (2012) and At My Table: Vegetarian Feasts for Family and Friends (2014), sharing recipes that celebrate her family’s commitment to vegetarianism. In 2021, she collaborated with her father and sister Stella to publish Linda McCartney’s Family Kitchen, reviving and updating her late mother’s recipes.
In 2009, Mary, along with Paul and Stella, launched the Meat Free Monday campaign in the UK, encouraging people to reduce meat consumption for their health and the planet. She serves as a Global Ambassador for the initiative, promoting sustainable eating habits worldwide.
Mary makes Paul a grandfather four times over
Mary married Alistair Donald in 1998, and the couple had two sons, Arthur and Elliot. They divorced in 2007 and three years later she married director Simon Aboud, with whom she has two more sons, Sam and Sid.
Arthur Alistair Donald: Born on April 3, 1999, Arthur is the eldest grandchild of Paul McCartney. He is the son of Mary McCartney and her ex-husband, Alistair Donald. Arthur studied at Yale University, focusing on history.
Elliot Donald: Born on August 1, 2002, Elliot is Mary’s second son with Alistair Donald.
Sam Aboud: Born in 2008, Sam is the first child of Mary McCartney and her second husband, director Simon Aboud.
Sid Aboud: Born in 2011, Sid is the youngest son of Mary and Simon Aboud.
Stella McCartney
Stella Nina McCartney was born on September 13, 1971, in London, England, to Paul and Linda. Growing up in a creative environment, she developed an early interest in fashion design, crafting her first jacket at the age of 13. An internship with Christian Lacroix allowed her to hone her skills, and she furthered her education at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, followed by Central Saint Martins, where her 1995 graduation collection garnered significant attention.
At 25, Stella was appointed Creative Director of Chloé in Paris, succeeding Karl Lagerfeld. Despite initial skepticism, her tenure revitalized the brand, blending feminine tailoring with a modern aesthetic. Additionally, in partnership with the Gucci Group (now Kering), she launched her own fashion house, adhering to her principles by rejecting leather and fur in all her designs.
Stella’s long-standing collaboration with Adidas introduced a women’s sports performance collection that manages to blend functionality with high fashion. She also made history as the first fashion designer to create the apparel for a country’s Olympic team, overseeing the British team’s uniforms for both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
In 2018, she bought back Kering’s stake in her company, gaining full control of her brand and entered a partnership with LVMH the following year to further its growth. Flash forward to January 2025, and Stella repurchased LVMH’s shares, once again taking full ownership of her label.
On the personal front, Stella is married to British publisher Alasdhair Willis, and the couple has four children.
Stella gives Paul four more grandchildren
Miller Alasdhair James Willis: Born in 2005, Miller is the eldest child of Stella and husband Alasdhair Willis.
Bailey Linda Olwyn Willis: Born in 2006.
Beckett Robert Lee Willis: Born in 2008.
Reiley Dilys Stella Willis: Born in 2010.
James McCartney
James Louis McCartney was born on September 12, 1977, in London, England. Named after his paternal grandfather and father, James was introduced to music at a young age. He received his first guitar, previously owned by Carl Perkins, from his father at age nine. During his parents’ tours with Wings, James spent his early years on the road, later settling in Rye, East Sussex, where he attended the Thomas Peacocke Community College. His initial inspiration to learn guitar wasn’t from his father, but, instead, from watching Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future.
James contributed to several of his parents’ solo projects. On Paul’s 1997 album Flaming Pie, he played electric guitar on “Heaven on a Sunday.” He co-wrote and performed on “Spinning on an Axis” and “Back in the Sunshine Again” from Paul’s 2001 album Driving Rain. Additionally, James played lead guitar on Linda’s posthumous 1998 album Wide Prairie.
James embarked on a solo career with the release of his debut EP, Available Light, in 2010, followed by Close at Hand in 2011. His first full-length album, Me, was released in 2013, showcasing his introspective songwriting and melodic style. In 2016, he released The Blackberry Train, featuring a blend of rock and alternative music.
After a hiatus, James returned in 2024 with the single “Beautiful” and that same year collaborated with Sean Ono Lennon on “Primrose Hil.” His third studio album, Beautiful Nothing, was released on October 18, 2024.
James has carved out his own path in the music industry. He acknowledges the influence of The Beatles while striving to establish his unique voice. In a 2023 interview, he emphasized the importance of emotion in songwriting, stating, “In the end [songwriting is] about having as much emotion as possible for me, musically and lyrically. Cathartic, heartfelt, and true.”
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills (married from 2002 to 2008)
Paul’s second marriage to activist and former model Heather Mills began in 2002 with a lavish ceremony at a castle in Ireland. The two met at a charity event in 1999 and seemed to connect over shared philanthropic goals. In 2003, they welcomed a daughter, Beatrice, but their union was marked by increasing tension and heavy media scrutiny. Public perception began to shift, especially as rumors of Mills’s past and clashes with Paul’s adult children surfaced.
Their relationship deteriorated publicly and contentiously. In 2006, the couple announced their separation, and a bitter divorce followed. The court proceedings became tabloid fodder, with accusations from both sides and a high-profile legal battle over the settlement. Ultimately, Mills was awarded about $25 million, far less than she had sought. In the aftermath, Paul remained quiet about the ordeal, later saying he was grateful for his daughter but wouldn’t discuss the marriage in detail. Their divorce was finalized in 2008.
Beatrice Milly McCartney
Born on October 28, 2003, in London, England, Beatrice Milly McCartney is the daughter of Paul and Heather and was named after her maternal grandmother, Beatrice, and her paternal great-aunt, Milly. Despite her father’s global fame, Beatrice has largely been shielded from the public eye, allowing her to experience a relatively normal upbringing.
From a young age, Beatrice displayed musical talent, particularly with the saxophone. However, she has expressed a desire to pursue a career in marine biology rather than follow in her father’s musical footsteps.
Following her parents’ divorce in 2008, custody arrangements ensured that Beatrice split her time between both parents. She primarily resides with her mother in Robertsbridge, East Sussex, while maintaining a close relationship with her father.
As of 2025, Beatrice is 21 years old and reportedly pursuing higher education at the University of Cambridge, focusing on her passion for marine biology. She continues to maintain a low profile, avoiding the public spotlight despite her family’s prominence.
Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell (2011-)
Paul McCartney’s third marriage, to businesswoman Nancy Shevell, marked a welcome return to stability and calm after the turbulence of his previous relationship with Heather Mills. The two had known each other for years and began dating in 2007. Nancy, a quiet presence and successful executive at her family’s transportation company, brought a grounded, no-nonsense approach to life that reportedly complemented Paul’s creative energy.
They married on October 9, 2011, in a modest civil ceremony at London’s Marylebone Town Hall—the same venue where Paul had wed Linda McCartney in 1969. The understated event, attended by close family and friends, reflected the couple’s desire for privacy and simplicity. Nancy, who converted to vegetarianism and embraced Paul’s lifestyle, was widely accepted by his family and fans alike. Unlike his last marriage, there was no media spectacle or family discord. Over the years, the couple has been seen traveling together, supporting each other’s endeavors and enjoying a low-key, affectionate partnership.
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