The Heather Mills And Paul McCartney Separation - $48.6 Million Goes To Mills!

Heather Mills was awarded $48.6 million as her settlement being Paul McCartney's ex-wife. Widely portrayed in the British media as a gold-digger, the former model seemed very pleased with the separation fee after 4 years of marriage to the former Beatle's star whose fortune is about $800 million now.

A Family Court judge awarded Mills a lump sum of $33 million, plus the assets she currently holds, worth $15.6 million. Mills had sought almost $250 million, according to a summary of the ruling; McCartney had offered $31.6 million, including Mills' own assets.

This Associated Press article details that the settlement was at the low end of many experts' estimates, which varied between $50 million and $100 million. The brevity of the marriage, and the fact most of the former Beatle's fortune was made before he met Mills were factors considered by the judge.

Mills, 40, raised eyebrows by firing her legal team late last year and representing herself in court, but legal experts said that was unlikely to have been a factor in the award.

McCartney, 65, left after the ruling without saying a word. But Mills emerged from the three-hour private hearing for an impromptu news conference on the courthouse steps — railing against McCartney's lawyer, accusing her ex of underestimating his wealth and declaring the settlement had secured her future and that of her 4-year-old daughter, Beatrice.

15 Most Influential Celebrities

Forbes.com just published the 15 most influential celebrities in Hollywood.

1. Oprah Winfrey tops the list as the Queen of All Media - expanding her brand to include not only television and print but a commercial mall as well
   
   
2. Bono of U2 but this time for his activist efforts particularly to help African nations
   
   
3. Michael Jordan, part owner of Charlotte Bobcats and endorser of well known brands Nike and Coca Cola
   
   
4. Sir Paul McCartney who is more in the news now for his expensive divorce compared to his other humanitarian efforts
   
   
5. Michael J. Fox now making headlines for his contribution to stem cell research and
   
   Robert Redford, acclaimed actor-director, are both tied in 5th place



6. Angelina Jolie as a mother of 4 adopted children, Goodwill Ambassador for the U.N. Refugee Agency and an Academy Award-winning actress earns her place in this list. She ties with
   
   Lance Armstrong who was a seven-time Tour de France winner is now a strong force in the fight against cancer with his yellow rubber "Livestrong" wristlets contributing millions to the cause.
   
   
7. Sean "Diddy" Combs,hip hop mogul of his own recording company, his own television shows (MTV's Making the Band franchise), restaurant and scent is tied with
   
   Tiger Woods who is the first athlete to make $100 million in a year and well over 10 championships to his name. He is also endorsing famous brands Nike & Gilette
   
   
8. Mel Gibson. I guess even if you're infamous for a time, if you're popular you're popular. He topped the BeliefNet.com list of Most Powerful Christians in Hollywood



9. Jon Stewart political satirist bills at #9



10. George Clooney occupies this spot not only for his film bibliography but also with his documentation of the Darfur region of Sudan



11. Madonna who has sold more than 200 million albums also takes some time out for the orphanages of Malawi and the Jewish teachings of Kabbalah



12. Kanye West, remembered for posing as a crucified Jesus on Rolling Stone's cover and his outburst in the MTV Europe awards for not winning the best video category

* Here they are in pictures.
* Source: E-Poll Market Research, which provides over 45 appeal rankings for more than 3,000 celebrities.