Editor's note: This story was originally published on April 17, 2022.
Their love story began on March 13, 1969, on a soggy, pearl-gray London morning.
That’s when 26-year-old Paul McCartney married 27-year-old Linda Eastman in a small civil ceremony at the Marylebone Town Hall.
Ten years later, the McCartneys bought a secluded 151-acre ranch, with a modest tin-roof stucco house, on ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s northeast side.
There, the family grew to include four children. For 29 years, the ranch house was the source of great privacy and happiness for the McCartneys, a place where they could retreat from the madding world of Beatle mania to their peaceful Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ homestead.

Ranch house owned by Paul and Linda McCartney is seen under construction east of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in 1970s.
The McCartneys loved ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ loved them back by leaving them be and giving the family a wide berth to travel around the Old Pueblo. They trekked in an unassuming SUV and a humble old Ford pickup truck that Paul used to haul ranch supplies.
People are also reading…
The Tanque Verde Hay Feed and Supply was a regular stop for the horses. The clan went to swap meets, restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and celebrated holidays, behaving like regular folks in the community.
Linda and her mother had a great passion for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ desert and cherished the land. They would ride horses, hike, swim and enjoy life without the prying eye and clamor the celebrity world heaped on them. A neighbor said the community treated them no differently than others despite the superstar family’s presence.
David Fitzsimmons, longtime editorial cartoonist for the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, said a South Fourth Avenue Mexican restaurant owner told him the McCartney family came in from time to time. Paul always got an older waitress who had no clue who he was.
One time the waitress overheard the Beatle talking to his dinner guest about music. As the restaurant owner tells it, she said, “Oh, you play music? Are you in a band? My granddaughter’s quinceañera is coming up, and the family is looking for a good band. How much do you charge?â€
For nearly three decades of marriage, Paul and Linda were apart only one night.

The ranch that ex-Beatle Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney owned near Redington Pass east of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ shown in 1998.
In December 1995, Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer and was treated at the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Cancer Center. On April 17, 1998, under a warm, starbright sky, Linda died at their ranch house.
Over the years, there have been supposed sightings of the McCartneys in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. They still own the ranch on the northeast side. Their only son, James McCartney, has played a couple of concerts at Hotel Congress. He has said he still enjoys the ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ desert, adding, “Mum loved it so. It feels like home.â€
Photos: Paul McCartney through the years

In this July 10, 2017, file photo, Paul McCartney performs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

In this March 2, 1964, file photo, British pop group the Beatles, from top left, John Lennon, George Harrison and, from bottom left, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, pose in the window of train at Paddington Station in London. (AP Photo/Bob Dear)

In this Oct. 26, 1965, file photo, the Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison, smile as they display the Member of The Order of The British Empire medals presented to them by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in London, England. The Beatles' psychedelic masterwork "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was named the most popular British album in history. (AP Photo)

In this June 19, 2015, file photo, Paul McCartney performs at the 2015 Firefly Music Festival at The Woodlands in Dover, Del. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)

This Feb. 28, 1968, file photo shows the Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr and George Harrison. (AP Photo, File)

In this March 23, 1964, file photo, Britain's Prince Philip shakes hands with Ringo Starr as co-Beatles, from left, George Harrison, John Lennon and Paul McCartney look on, at the Empire Ballroom in London, England. (AP Photo/File, Pool)

In this Feb. 18, 1964, file photo, the Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison, take a fake blow from Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) while visiting the heavyweight contender at his training camp in Miami Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/File)

Paul McCartney, left, is joined by Neil Young onstage on day 2 of the 2016 Desert Trip music festival at Empire Polo Field on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, in Indio, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney performs in concert during his “One To One Tour†at Hersheypark Stadium on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Hershey, Pa. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP)

Musicians and members of the Beatles, Paul McCartney, right, and Ringo Starr pose for photographers upon arrival at the world premiere of Ron Howard's Beatles movie, "Eight days a week-the touring years," in London, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

In this 1971 file photo, former Beatles singer and guitarist Paul McCartney arrives with his wife, Linda, at a function in London. (AP Photo)

In this July 2, 2005, file photo, George Michael, left, and Paul McCartney, right, perform during the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, part of a series of free concerts held around the world designed to press leaders of the rich G8 countries to help impoverished African nations. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

In this Feb. 9, 1964, file photo, the Beatles perform on CBS' "Ed Sullivan Show" in New York. (AP Photo)

Paul McCartney of the Beatles and his wife Linda make a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., March 16, 1971. McCartney picked up Grammys for himself, John Lennon and George Harrison for best original score written for the motion picture or TV special "Let It Be." (AP Photo/Harold P. Matosian)

Members of the British rock band the Beatles visit New York's Central Park, Feb. 8, 1964. From left: Ringo Starr, John Lennon, Paul McCartney. George Harrison, suffering from a sore throat, stayed at the band's hotel per doctor's orders. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi)

Ringo Starr of the Beatles, center, holds the chain necklace that he said someone grabbed and tore off a St. Christopher medallion as he entered a New York hotel, Aug. 28, 1964. At left is George Harrison and at right is Paul McCartney. The medallion had been worn by Ringo for several years. (AP Photo)

Members of the British rock band the Beatles visit New York's Central Park, Feb. 8, 1964. From left: John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. George Harrison, suffering from a sore throat, stayed at the band's hotel per doctor's orders. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi)

Members of the British rock band the Beatles visit New York's Central Park, Feb. 8, 1964. From left: John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. George Harrison, suffering from a sore throat, stayed at the band's hotel per doctor's orders. (AP Photo/Dan Grossi)

Paul McCartney performs at the Outside Lands Music & Art Festival at the Outside Lands Music & Art Festival at Golden Gate Park on August 9, 2013, in San Francisco. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

In this June 24, 1967, file photo, the Beatles, from left, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon, appear at EMI Studios in London. (AP Photo)

In this June 1967 file photo, Paul McCartney, from left, George Harrison, Ringo Starr and John Lennon of the Beatles appear backstage during a break in rehearsals for the live broadcast on the "Our World" program at EMI studios in London. (AP Photo)

In this Oct. 1, 2014, file photo, Paul McCartney performs during a benefit concert at the Tobin Center in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

From left: Lady Isabel Derby, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Lord Edward John Stanley, Earl of Derby, and Ringo Starr chat during a reception for the premiere of the Beatles movie "A Hard Day's Night" in Liverpool, July 10, 1964. (AP Photo)

Paul McCartney, the last of the Beatles to marry, poses with his new wife, Linda Eastman, and her daughter by a previous marriage, Heather, 6, at New York's Kennedy Airport, March 17, 1969. They arrived from England where the couple was married in London the week of March 9. McCartney said they were en route to meet his wife's father, a New York lawyer. (AP Photo)

Crowds of fans line rooftops and terraces at Speke Airport in Liverpool as the Beatles arrive at their hometown for the premiere of their movie "A Hard Day's Night," July 10, 1964. Carrying flowers are Paul McCartney, left, and George Harrison, head turned away. (AP Photo)

The Beatles perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City, Feb. 12, 1964. From left: bassist Paul McCartney, guitarist George Harrison, drummer Ringo Starr, and guitarist John Lennon. (AP Photo)

Sir Eric Harrison, high commissioner for Australia, front center, is pictured with the British rock band the Beatles at a reception honoring them at Australia House in London, April 22, 1964. From left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Sir Harrison, George Harrison and John Lennon. (AP Photo)

Sir Paul McCartney performs at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., Monday, July 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

Paul McCartney performs on the One on One Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre on Wednesday, July 26, 2017, in Tinley Park, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney performs during Lollapalooza at Grant Park on July 31, 2015, in Chicago. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney performs at Great American Ball Park on Aug. 4, 2011, in Cincinnati. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney performs during the Firefly Music Festival on June 19, 2015, in Dover, Del. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney and Nancy Shevell arrive at the Stella McCartney Autumn 2018 Presentation on Jan. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

In this Sept. 24, 2003, file photo, Ringo Starr and his wife Barbara Bach, left, pose along with George Harrison's son Dhani and wife Olivia, center, and Heather Mills McCartney and Paul McCartney at a screening for the film "Concert For George" at Burbank Studios in Burbank, Calif. The film is a musical documentary that celebrates the music of the late George Harrison. McCartney and George Harrison’s widow and son honored the late Beatle on what would have been his 75th birthday. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

In this Oct. 26, 1965, file photo the Beatles, from left, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Ringo Starr, display their Member of The Order of The British Empire medals presented to them by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony in Buckingham Palace in London, England. (AP Photo)

In this file photo dated Nov. 25, 1993, Paul and Linda McCartney pose for photographers at a news conference before a performance in Mexico City at Hermanos Rodriguez race track. (AP Photo/Luis Magana)

In this July 26, 2017, file photo, Paul McCartney performs on the One on One Tour at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Ill. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP)

In this Aug. 23, 1966, file photo, the Beatles, from left, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison appear at a press conference in New York. (AP Photo)

Paul McCartney performs on day one of the Austin City Limits Music Festival's second weekend on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

Musician Sir Paul McCartney meets young fans at the launch of his new children's book "Hey Grandude!" in central London on Friday, Sept. 6, 2019. (Photo by Grant Pollard/Invision/AP)

Designer Vivienne Westwood, left, and musician Paul McCartney attend the Stella McCartney Ready To Wear Spring-Summer 2020 collection, unveiled during fashion week in Paris, Sept. 30, 2019. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

This is a Sept. 25, 1969, file photo of Beatle Paul McCartney at the London Pavilion in London. (AP Photo)

Musician Paul McCartney, right, and his wife Nancy Shevell attend the Stella McCartney Ready To Wear Spring-Summer 2020 collection, unveiled during fashion week in Paris, Sept. 30, 2019. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

Paul McCartney walks on the grounds of his rental house on the West Indian island of Montserrat, Feb. 17, 1981. He was in Montserrat with his family working on an album. (AP Photo/Doug Jennings)

Sir Paul McCartney, second from right, his wife Nancy Shewell, left, and French actress Isabelle Huppert, right, watch models during Stella McCartney's Fall-winter 2016-2017 ready to wear collection presented in Paris, France, Monday, March 7, 2016. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

The Beatles eat apples during a reception at Australia House in London, April 22, 1964, prior to a tour of Australia. From left: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, unidentified, George Harrison (partially obscured) and John Lennon. (AP Photo)

Paul McCartney holds his hand to his heart before a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was dedicated to his former Beatles bandmate George Harrison in Los Angeles, April 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Ringo Starr, left, and Paul McCartney are seen at the launch of the Beatles Rockband Xbox game at the Microsoft Xbox 360 E3 Expo on June 1, 2009, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

From left, model Cara Delevingne takes a photo with actor Woody Harrelson and singers Kanye West and Paul McCartney prior to Stella McCartney's ready to wear fall-winter 2015-2016 fashion collection during Paris Fashion Week, Paris, France, Monday, March 9, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

British musician Sir Paul McCartney holds up his Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, while being applauded by Jack Osbourne, left background, and Ozzy Osbourne, right background, at the Brit Awards 2008 in London, Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Jerry Wilkerson, who lives in SaddleBrooke, is a former press secretary for two U.S. Congressmen and a prior Chicago CBS radio and Chicago Daily ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ correspondent. Email: franchise@att.net