Heather Mills – Life, Accident, and Vegan Activism

Heather Mills is a British former model, businesswoman, and activist whose life has been marked by a devastating accident, a high-profile marriage to a Beatle, and a determined pivot toward vegan entrepreneurship and charity work. From her leg amputation in 1993 to her current role heading a plant-based food company, her public story is one of reinvention.

Born in Aldershot, England, in 1968, Mills first gained attention as a model before a police motorcycle accident in London changed the course of her life. That event led to the loss of her left leg below the knee, a period of intense rehabilitation, and a subsequent commitment to disability advocacy that remains central to her identity.

Her later marriage to Paul McCartney, their contentious divorce, and her emergence as a vegan activist and founder of the VBites brand have kept her in the public eye for over three decades. The following article examines the facts of her life, based on publicly available records.

Who is Heather Mills?

Heather Anne Mills is an English former model, businesswoman, and animal rights activist. She is a polarizing figure whose public life spans modeling, activism, and entrepreneurship. Her transition from celebrity spouse to independent business owner is a key part of her narrative, though much public interest still centers on her divorce from McCartney.

• Her landmine charity work remains her most widely acknowledged contribution.
• She became a vegan after a raw food diet helped heal her post-amputation wound.
• She set five world records as the fastest disabled woman on skis.
• She founded the VBites vegan food brand in the 2010s.
• She has one daughter, Beatrice, from her marriage to Paul McCartney.
• She remains a patron of the animal rights organization Viva!.

How did Heather Mills become famous?

What happened to Heather Mills leg?

Mills came to public attention in 1993 when, as a model, she was run over by the last of three police motorcycles responding to an emergency call while crossing Kensington Road in London. The accident caused crushed ribs, a punctured lung, a fractured skull, a broken pelvis, and the amputation of her left leg 6 inches (15 cm) below the knee. A metal plate was later attached to her pelvis.

In October 1993, she underwent a second operation that further shortened her leg. Her prosthetic limb had to be replaced regularly as her amputated stump changed during healing. She received approximately £200,000 from the police authority as recompense, even though the motorcyclist was later cleared of driving without due care.

What was the accident that changed her life?

The accident itself was sudden and violent. While recovering, Mills was placed on a raw food vegan diet at the Hippocrates Health Institute in Florida, using wheat grass and garlic poultices to heal her wound. This experience sparked her lifelong commitment to veganism.

She used the compensation money from the accident to establish the Heather Mills Health Trust, which delivered prosthetic limbs to landmine victims, especially children. She also collected thousands of discarded prosthetic limbs to aid amputees in Croatia, then part of Yugoslavia, after working with amputees during the Yugoslavian war. In 2006, she founded The Amputee Forum, a support group for amputees and their families.

What is the full story of Heather Mills and Paul McCartney?

Was Heather Mills married to Paul McCartney?

Yes, Mills began a relationship with Paul McCartney in 2000, and they married in June 2002. Their daughter, Beatrice Milly McCartney, was born on 28 October 2003. The couple separated in 2006.

How much did Heather Mills get in divorce settlement?

The divorce was finalized in 2008 after a six-day hearing ending on 18 February 2008, with the judgment publicly released on 17 March 2008. Mills was awarded a lump sum of £16.5 million, plus assets of £7.8 million (including properties she owned), totaling £24.3 million. She also was granted annual payments of £35,000 for their daughter’s nanny and school costs.

The court case was highly publicized, with both sides presenting differing accounts of their finances and the marriage. The judgment remains a matter of public record.

What does Heather Mills do today?

What is VBites?

VBites is a vegan food brand founded by Mills in the 2010s. It produces plant-based meat and dairy alternatives. The company has been a central focus of her professional life in recent years, though its financial performance and market position have not been disclosed in detail. Her exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, but estimates suggest it is in the tens of millions, primarily from the divorce settlement and business ventures.

Does she still do activism?

Yes. As of 2024, Mills remains a patron of Viva! and Viva! Health, major UK-based animal rights organizations. She is also vice-president of the Limbless Association and continues to campaign for modern prosthetic technology and awareness. As of 2025–2026, she remains active in animal rights advocacy, disability and prosthetic awareness, and landmine clearing and prosthetic distribution. She continues to appear in media and campaigns, including recent episodes discussing how her 1993 leg loss reshaped her understanding of purpose and disability.

What charities and causes is Heather Mills associated with?

Mills founded the Heather Mills Health Trust and The Amputee Forum. She co-developed a “ski leg” prosthetic that enabled her to set five world records as the fastest disabled woman on skis, reaching 166.84 kph, earning a place in the Guinness World Record Books. In 2003, the Open University awarded her an honorary doctorate for her philanthropic work for amputees. She also set up a refugee crisis centre in London, helping over 20 people escape war. She is vice-president of the Limbless Association.

Timeline of key events

1. 1968: Born in Aldershot, England.
2. 1993: Motorcycle accident leading to leg amputation.
3. 2000: Begins relationship with Paul McCartney.
4. 2002: Marries Paul McCartney.
5. 2003: Daughter Beatrice is born; receives honorary doctorate from Open University.
6. 2006: Separates from McCartney; founds The Amputee Forum.
7. 2008: Divorce finalized with £24.3 million settlement.
8. 2010s: Launches VBites and other vegan ventures.
9. 2023–2025: Continues activism and business operations.

What is known and what remains uncertain about Heather Mills?

What is the broader context of Heather Mills’ public life?

Heather Mills is a British public figure who shifted from modeling to high-profile activism and later vegan entrepreneurship. Her marriage to Paul McCartney brought global media attention, and subsequent legal battles shaped her public image. Today, she is primarily known for her vegan food business VBites and continued charity work. Her story is often framed as one of resilience, though public opinion remains divided over her personal history.

Sources and key quotes

Heather Anne Mills (born 12 January 1968) is an English former model, businesswoman and animal rights activist.

Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heather_Mills

She co-founded the largest landmine charity in the world, ‘Adopt A Minefield’.

Official site, https://heathermills.org/

Guinness world record holder, philanthropist and vegan entrepreneur

Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/heathermillsofficial/

Summary: Who is Heather Mills in 2025?

Heather Mills remains a active figure in the public eye, balancing her role as a vegan entrepreneur with her long-standing commitment to disability advocacy and animal rights. Her life story, from model to accident survivor to activist to business owner, is marked by significant highs and lows. For related biographies, see Pamela Anderson – Age, Net Worth, Baywatch Role and 2025 Update and Linda Lusardi – Age, Husband, Career and Health Update 2025.

Frequently asked questions about Heather Mills