Paul McCartney and Heather Mills

Former Beatle Paul McCartney, who is worth more than $1 billion, and Heather Mills announced their separation?May 17?after four years of marriage.

According to CNN report,? the 63-year-old McCartney issued a statement on his Web site,criticizing the media for spreading "vicious rumors" about Mills.

"It's been suggested that she married me for the money and there is not an ounce of truth in this," he said in the statement.

"She is a very generous person who spends most of her time trying to help others in greater need than herself," he said.

"All the work she does is unpaid so these stories are ridiculous and completely unfounded.

"Having tried exceptionally hard to make our relationship work given the daily pressures surrounding us, it is with sadness that we have decided to go our separate ways," it said.

"Separation for any couple is difficult enough, but to have to go through this so publicly, especially with a small daughter, is immensely stressful," the statement said.

Heather Mills and Paul McCartney were married in 2002.