Heather's love for McCartney's ex

Music

16:30 30 January 2006

Heather Mills has spoken of her admiration for husband Paul McCartney's first wife.

The former model says Linda McCartney, who died in 1998, achieved greater things than her husband and was the sort of woman she would have looked up to.

Heather, a prominent member of PETA, is quoted in Britain's Daily Express newspaper as saying: "She was a fantastic animal rights campaigner.

"She was the kind of person I would admire much more than say, a Beatle."

The blonde - who tied the knot with Paul in 2002 - revealed she admired Linda for working tirelessly to benefit society, not her own pocket.

She said: "Yes, The Beatles wrote good songs and got rich but sometimes they would admit that it was for a swimming pool or to build a better house.

"Linda was not afraid to speak out for what she believed in."

Last year, Heather revealed she is so tired of being criticised, she sometimes wishes she'd never married Paul.

She said at the time: "There have been lots of times I have regretted meeting Paul. I was so happy in my old life.

"I've gone from someone who never had a negative article written about them to being absolutely persecuted."

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