CNN - McCartney's ex-wife awarded $48.7M

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McCartney's ex-wife awarded $48.7M

Former Beatle Paul McCartney was Monday ordered to pay nearly $50M to his estranged wife as their long-running divorce saga came to an end.

Heather Mills told reporters she was "so, so happy" with the outcome of her fight for a share of the pop legend's fortune, as court documents named the final figure as £24.3 million ($48.7M).

Mills had demanded almost $250 million of McCartney's estimated $1.6 billion. The ex-Beatle said she should receive $31.7 million.

Judge Hugh Bennett said that the total value of all of McCartney's assets was actually $800 million, a figure disputed by Mills.

The couple's four-year-old daughter is also to receive about $70,000 per annum, the court ruled. McCartney must also pay for the child's nanny and school fees.

Mills insisted the couple's split in 2006 was not acrimonious regardless of newspaper reports of an acrimonious breakup.

"It was an amicable parting, despite what you read," she said. Watch background to McCartney Mills divorce case.

British newspapers have previously reported Mills' claims that she was a victim of domestic violence. There were also reports that the Mills had a former career as a call girl.

"I'm so glad it's over," said Mills, who has established a career as a campaigner and charity worker since losing a leg in a road accident in 1993.

"It was an incredible result in the end to secure mine and my daughter's future and that of all the charities that I obviously plan on helping and making a difference with -- because you know it has been my life for 20 years."

Monday's divorce settlement fell short of the previous record for a litigated divorce settlement in Britain. An award of £48 million ($96 million) was handed down last year, according to British divorce lawyer Julian Lipson.