Linda McCartney
Born 1941 · Age 84
American photographer, musician, cookbook author, entrepreneur and animal-rights activist; keyboardist and harmony vocalist in Wings; founder of Linda McCartney Foods; published photographer and cookery author.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born Linda Louise Eastman
Born in Scarsdale / Manhattan, New York to Lee and Louise Eastman (née Lindner).
Graduated Scarsdale High School
Completed secondary education in Scarsdale, Westchester County, NY.
Associate of Arts from Vermont College
Received an Associate of Arts degree (Vermont College).
Enrolled at University of Arizona
Studied art history and took up nature photography as a hobby; studied under Hazel Larsen Archer.
Mother killed in airline crash
Linda's mother Louise Sara Eastman died in the American Airlines Flight 1 crash (Jamaica Bay), an event that precipitated changes in Linda's life and studies.
Married Joseph Melville See Jr.
Married Joseph Melville See Jr. in Arizona (first marriage).
Birth of daughter Heather (See)
Heather Louise See (later Heather McCartney) was born to Linda and Joseph Melville See Jr.
Divorce from Joseph Melville See Jr.
Divorced first husband and resumed using maiden name Eastman; moved to New York and refocused on photography.
Hired by Town & Country magazine
Employed as receptionist/editorial assistant; began pursuing professional photography assignments.
First major assignment: Rolling Stones yacht shoot
Photographed the Rolling Stones on SS Sea Panther/Hudson — first major published music shoot and turning point in her photography career.
Voted US Female Photographer of the Year
Recognized in the US for her photography work (mid-1960s rock scene).
Backstage and Fillmore East photographer
Became unofficial house photographer at Bill Graham's Fillmore East, documenting major artists of the era (Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Dylan, Who, Doors, etc.).
Met Paul McCartney (first encounter)
Met Paul McCartney at the Bag O'Nails club in London while on assignment; further meetings followed.
Moved to London
Relocated to London in late 1960s as photography career and relationship with Paul McCartney developed.
Photographed Beatles (White Album / Abbey Road sessions)
Took behind-the-scenes photos of Beatles recording sessions and cover shoots; expanded profile in music photography.
First woman to have photo on Rolling Stone cover
Her Eric Clapton photograph appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone (May 11, 1968).
Married Paul McCartney
Small civil ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall, London; a high-profile union that drew significant public reaction.
Recorded on Paul McCartney's Ram album
After the Beatles' 1970 breakup, Paul taught Linda keyboards and they recorded Ram as a duo; Linda received credits and photos appeared on McCartney releases.
Formed Wings (band) with Paul McCartney
Linda became keyboardist and harmony vocalist in Wings; band released Wild Life (1971) and other albums throughout 1970s.
Lawsuit filed re: 'Another Day' publishing
Northern Songs and Maclen Music sued Paul (and by implication Linda's collaboration) alleging a publishing-rights violation (filed July 1971); the case was amicably settled June 1972.
Birth of daughter Stella McCartney
Birth of second daughter with Paul McCartney; later became renowned fashion designer.
Wings University and Europe tours
Wings played an 11-university UK tour and a larger Wings Over Europe tour (26 shows across nine countries); Linda documented tours photographically.
Red Rose Speedway / Band on the Run era
Linda's photograph used on Red Rose Speedway; Wings released multiple major hits (Band on the Run era) and Linda's profile as band member increased.
Appeared on Rolling Stone cover photographed by herself
Her photograph of her and Paul appeared on Rolling Stone (Jan 31, 1974); she is the only person to have both photographed an RS cover and appeared on it.
Adopted vegetarianism; public animal rights activism
Linda and Paul adopted vegetarianism publicly in 1975; Linda became active in PETA, Friends of the Earth and other organizations and began developing vegetarian cookbooks and products.
Published 'Linda’s Pictures: A Collection of Photographs'
First major photography book published, collecting photographic work from earlier years.
Solo photographic exhibition in Los Angeles
First solo photographic exhibition 'Linda's Pictures' opened at Jan Baum & Iris Silverman Gallery, LA.
Released 'Seaside Woman' (as Suzy and the Red Stripes)
Song written by Linda in response to criticism of her songwriting credits; released in US (recorded 1972, released 1977).
Birth of son James McCartney
Birth of son James, the McCartneys' third child together.
Animated short of 'Seaside Woman' wins Palme d'Or (Short Film)
Oscar Grillo's cartoon of Linda's song 'Seaside Woman' won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival (1980).
Wings break up
Band Wings dissolved; Linda continued to work and perform occasionally with Paul in subsequent years.
Arrested in Barbados for marijuana possession
Linda was arrested in Barbados for possession of marijuana; she was later arrested on return to Heathrow on related charges.
Major exhibition at Royal Photographic Society, Bath
First major UK exhibition 'Linda McCartney' shown at Royal Photographic Society; also received Distinguished Photographers Award from 'Women In Photography'.
Sun Prints exhibition at Victoria & Albert Museum
Exhibition of cyanotypes / salt prints (Sun Prints) at the V&A in London.
Published first vegetarian cookbook 'Linda McCartney's Home Cooking'
Cookbook became an international bestseller and helped establish Linda as a vegetarian-food pioneer.
Published 'Light Lunches'
Second cookery title released (same year as Home Cooking).
Launched Linda McCartney Foods (frozen vegetarian meals)
Commercial launch of a line of prepared meat-free frozen meals; started with an initial range (reported as 6 initial meals) and later expanded.
Published 'Sixties: Portrait of an Era' (photography book)
Collection of her 1960s photography with commentary; accompanied by a touring exhibition.
The New World Tour (with Paul McCartney)
Traveled globally as part of Paul's band during The New World Tour; she continued photographing life on tour.
Published 'Roadworks' (photo book)
A photo book focusing on street and travel photography; shows Linda's documentary interests.
Diagnosed with breast cancer
Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer; disease later metastasized to liver.
Linda McCartney Foods factory opened in Fakenham, England
Manufacturing facility for the frozen vegetarian products began production (company milestone).
Appeared on The Simpsons episode 'Lisa the Vegetarian'
Paul and Linda guest-starred as themselves on the 1995 episode advocating vegetarianism; high-profile media appearance.
James Beard Award nomination for 'Linda's Kitchen'
Her 1995 cookbook Linda's Kitchen was nominated in the Vegetarian Books category for a James Beard Foundation Award (1996).
Became Lady McCartney
Linda inherited the courtesy title when Paul McCartney was knighted in 1997.
Posthumous album 'Wide Prairie' released
Paul compiled and released Linda's solo album Wide Prairie posthumously (1998).
PETA creates Linda McCartney Memorial Award
PETA established a memorial award in her name after her death to honor animal-rights work.
Died of breast cancer
Passed away at the McCartney family ranch in Tucson, Arizona; ashes scattered at family farm in Sussex. Family present.
Heinz acquired Linda McCartney Foods
H. J. Heinz Company acquired the Linda McCartney Foods brand in 1999 (company exit/transfer).
Concert for Linda at Royal Albert Hall
Tribute concert organized by friends Chrissie Hynde and Carla Lane; performers included Paul McCartney, George Michael, Pretenders, Elvis Costello and others.
Linda McCartney Children's Play Area opened
Paul officially opened the Linda McCartney Children's Play Area in Calderstones Park, Liverpool, and planted a Cypress Oak tree.
Linda McCartney Centre opened, Royal Liverpool University Hospital
A cancer clinic named in her honor opened at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Paul McCartney donated > $2,000,000 to cancer research in Linda's name
Donations to Memorial Sloan-Kettering and Arizona Cancer Center made on condition that no animal testing be used.
Linda McCartney Kintyre Memorial Trust garden opened
Memorial garden and bronze statue (by Jane Robbins) opened in Campbeltown near the family's Scottish farmhouse.
Linda McCartney Foods acquired by Hain Celestial Group
Hain Celestial Group bought the Linda McCartney Foods brand from Heinz (company transfer).
Posthumous retrospectives and publications continue
Major retrospectives and the retrospective volume 'Life in Photographs' (Taschen) kept Linda's photographic legacy in the public eye (exhibitions in New York and London).
Retrospective exhibition in Vienna
Linda McCartney Retrospective opened at Kunst Haus Wien, Vienna, continuing global recognition of her work.
Family release updated cookbook 'Linda McCartney's Family Kitchen'
Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney updated and released Linda's recipes in a 2021 family cookbook honoring her vegetarian legacy; nominated for an IVFF award.
Posthumous honorary doctorate from University of Arizona
University of Arizona awarded Linda McCartney an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts posthumously.
Key Achievement Ages
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