March 12, 1969. Paul McCartney, the last eligible bachelor of The Beatles, broke many ladies’ hearts when he married American Photographer Linda Eastman at Marylebone registry office in London and thereafter went to St John’s Wood Church for a blessing. Linda’s daughter Heather Louise from her first marriage to Melville See was the only invited person in attendance.
At the time none of The Beatles showed up for two reasons. One, there was friction between all four members due to the ongoing problems with Apple Records and also as a band. Two, as George Harrison stated years later, Paul’s peers didn’t expect the marriage to last very long. Up to that point Paul had never wanted to commit to marriage and even though he did have a longtime girlfriend, Jane Asher, he was used to his bachelor lifestyle.
The marriage would end up lasting almost 30 years and with the exception of Paul spending time in a Japanese jail for almost ten days they never spent a night apart (1969-1998) and the marriage only ended because of Linda’s tragic death due to breast cancer. Another thing many fans don’t realize it that Paul actually asked Linda to marry him numerous times yet she turned him down because of the bad experience of her first marriage. Plus the fact that it had to be daunting to think about being married to one of the biggest music stars in the world. (Proof that Linda wasn’t a gold digger after Paul’s money or his fame.) Paul would eventually talk her into it by telling her that she had nothing to worry about, he would be devoted to her.
As history proves he definitely kept his promise . Paul McCartney could’ve had any woman in the world yet he chose Linda and remained faithful to her all those years. And let’s not forget what Linda did for Paul also. When they first got married their life was anything but glamorous. The couple even had to live on Linda’s money for awhile when Paul’s assets were tied up in legal issues. Linda also had to deal with some of Paul’s darkest days after The Beatles disbanded. She was there for him with support and encouragement, even doing something she never wanted to by playing onstage with him because he wanted her there. She faced a ton of hurtful comments and backlash from many music fans for that. She proved she definitely loved him too.
In the music business where many artists change wives/husbands like they change their socks, it’s nice to know of a marriage that lasted. Paul and Linda were and are a true love story.
