The Sub-Prime Wife

[Aliya]

Worried investors looking for havens in times of crisis have traditionally turned to gold. But Monday's events at the High Court show that anyone looking for a good return for a relatively short-term investment should rush to get into Paul McCartney.

The recent damage caused by exposure to the sub-prime wife market has been limited to £24.3 million, a fraction of his estimated value. The underlying assets look strong, and liquidity does not look to be an issue.

The High Court this week valued him at around £400 million, roughly the amount lost by Joe Lewis on his investment in Bear Stearns.

Many believe Sir Paul is worth twice that figure. Certainly the disposal of Heather Mills will reassure worried analysts, while Mills herself has returned a massive 200,000 per cent on her initial investment.

So everybody's happy. Even Sir Paul, who must think that, whatever the settlement cost him, it was worth it.

Having said that, had Sir Paul employed the sharia model of divorce, as favoured by the Archbishop of Canterbury, his wife wouldn't have had a leg to stand on.

[Burbage]

Could Hetaher Mills have earned 24.3 million in five years by herself? (short of marrying PM that is)

I reckon all divorce settlements should be based on what the capacity of the partner to earn money might be.

[cromasaig]

Well, if she had Elliot Spitzer's number she probably could...

edit for typo.