Born on June 18, 1942, Paul McCartney grew up in Liverpool, England, and … well you probably know the rest. He hit global fame at a young age as the heartthrob of The Beatles, and has since released album after album of hits while touring and raising a family.
Look back at his epic life in photos as the legendary musician turns 83 on June 18, 2025.
Paul McCartney’s Early Years
McCartney was raised in Liverpool, England, with his parents and younger brother Peter Michael. His dad was a self-taught musician, and often gathered the family around the piano at night for a musical wind-down.
“I have some lovely childhood memories of lying on the floor and listening to my dad play ‘Lullaby of the Leaves’ [and other] old songs like [George Gershwin’s] ‘Stairway to Paradise,’ ” Paul said in interviews published in The Beatles Anthology.
Paul was a solid student and sang in the church choir while balancing piano and trumpet lessons.
Paul McCartney Learns Music
Paul successfully campaigned his dad for a guitar and learned to play Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly and Everly Brothers hits by ear.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon
At the Liverpool Institute, Paul reconnected with an old school friend, George Harrison, and soon after, met John Lennon.
“You saw him rather than met him,” Paul once said of John. “He grew long sideburns, he had a long drape jacket, he had the drainpipe trousers and the crepe-soled shoes.”
Their friendship — and shared love of music — affected Paul’s schoolwork, much to his father’s chagrin.
“I ruined Paul’s life,” John once told journalist Ray Connolly. “He could have been a doctor. He could have been somebody!”
Paul McCartney and The Quarrymen
In 1957, Paul watched John’s band The Quarrymen at a church carnival, soon joining them and bringing George along, too.
“The Quarrymen were so knocked out that I actually knew and could sing ‘Twenty Flight Rock,’ ” Paul said in The Anthology. “That’s what got me into the Beatles.”
That and “he also looked like Elvis,” John told Hunter Davies in The Beatles. “I dug him.”
Paul McCartney’s Bond with John Lennon
Paul and John immediately began writing songs together.
“We had a rule,” Paul once said. “If we couldn’t remember the song the next day, then it was no good.”
The young men also shared a sad bond: the loss of their mothers. Paul’s mom died of complications from breast cancer in 1956, while John’s mom was hit by a car in 1958. The latter put the band’s music on hold for a while — until George brought them back together in 1959.
Paul McCartney and The Beatles
Drummer Pete Best left the group in the early 1960s, and with the addition of new drummer Ringo Starr, the band shot to superstardom. The Beatles won Best New Artist at the 7th annual Grammy Awards, and took the United States (and the world) by storm with their harmonies and charm — not to mention Paul’s good looks.
The group also got quite a bit of screen time, starring in movies like Help and A Hard Day’s Night, based on their musical works.
Paul McCartney and Linda Eastman
This music man, however, was taken, by photographer Linda Eastman, who became both a muse and collaborator of the star.
Paul McCartney Marries Linda
On March 12, 1969, Linda and Paul said “I do,” with Linda’s daughter Heather by their side. Paul adopted Heather as the newlyweds’ family grew.
Paul McCartney’s Daughters
Together, the pair had daughters Heather, Stella and Mary (here at London’s Heathrow Airport in 1975). Heather is now an artist, Stella a designer and Mary an activist and photographer.
Paul McCartney’s Son James
The couple also had a son, James, born in 1977 (here with Dad in N.Y.C. in 1981). He has since become a musician like his father.
Paul McCartney’s Solo Career
In the 1970s, Paul launched his solo career, later gathering musician friends and Linda to form the successful band Wings before returning to solo work in the ’80s and ’90s.
Linda died of breast cancer in 1998. Following her death, “I think I cried for about a year on and off … it seemed the only thing to do,” Paul told the BBC. “You expect to see them walk in, this person you love, because you are so used to them.”
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills
In 2002, Paul married model and activist Heather Mills, but the pair’s divorce made way more headlines beginning in 2006. By 2008, Mills — mom of the couple’s young daughter Beatrice — was granted an almost $50 million settlement following a drawn-out court battle to end the marriage.
Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell
On Oct. 9, 2011, Paul married New York City businesswoman Nancy Shevell in an intimate ceremony in London. One week prior, the singer told PEOPLE, “It’s a good time for me. I’m happy.”
Paul McCartney at the London Olympics
In 2012, amidst a series of tours, Paul — now an Oscar winner and an 81-time Grammy nominee (with 18 wins) — helped close out the London Olympics.
Paul McCartney Reunites with Ringo Starr
Despite the untimely deaths of bandmates John and George, Paul and Ringo have remained close, joining each other on stage once in a while like at the 2014 The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute to the Beatles in L.A. and more recently during Paul’s December 2024 show at The 02 in London.
The Legacy Continues
More than 50 years after the band dispersed, the Beatles legacy has of course lived on. At the November 2024 premiere of the Beatles ’64 documentary, Paul was joined by George Harrison’s widow Olivia Harrison and John Lennon’s son Sean Ono Lennon, as well as the film’s director David Tedeschi and Martin Scorsese, who produced the project.
Paul McCartney Rocking Into His 80s
Age is nothing but a number for the rocker who at 82, closed out SNL 50: The Anniversary Special in February 2025, performing songs from The Beatles’ Abbey Road album.
Just days before, Paul played a surprise show at New York City’s 575-person venue the Bowery Ballroom, which sold out in 30 minutes after only releasing tickets in-person at the box office, rather than online.
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