PAUL McCartney called New Yorker Linda Eastman his 'baby'. They spent only a few days apart in their long, happy and successful marriage.
Their children are now all equally successful working in TV, the arts and Stella has achieved world fame as a fashion leader.
Linda, a photographer in her own right for such magazines as Rolling Stone, attended the launch of Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. She has photographed stars including Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix. Some of her photographs are on display on the walls of Paul's LIPA school.
After the break-up of The Beatles, Linda was Paul's rock. While he was down-hearted at the split, she was instrumental in seeing him carry on and making Wings one of the supergroups of the '70s.
He decided that he would form a new band and go back to basics, touring in buses just like The Beatles did, with Linda in the line-up.
In the documentary film Wingspan, Linda talked movingly of the time she spent with Paul on stage. "It was heaven on earth," she told daughter Mary, who made the films with son-in-law Alistair.
Paul praised her for bringing up a family while touring the world. Her love of animals and support for vegetarians led to the creation of vegetarian meals which are sold all over the world.
She was an astute businesswoman in her own right. She was also greatly respected as a musician, despite early criticisms. Michael Jackson, Elton John and Neil Sedaka all praised her work.
Linda died of breast cancer but her name and work goes on especially in Liverpool. There is now The Linda McCartney Hospital in Liverpool.
Said Sir Paul : "She loved Liverpool, she loved the humour and the people. She was a powerful woman; she was cool."
