How Long Was Paul McCartney Vegetarian?

January 13, 2026 •

3 min read

Since 1975, Paul McCartney has been a vocal vegetarian, making his commitment last nearly 50 years. The decision, made with his late wife Linda, marked the beginning of his decades-long journey advocating for animal rights. The story behind how long Paul McCartney vegetarianism has endured is a testament to his lasting conviction.

Quick Summary

Paul McCartney and his wife Linda became vegetarians in 1975 after a profound realization while eating lamb and watching lambs play on their farm. This article details his lifelong commitment to a meat-free diet and his extensive animal rights activism, including founding Meat Free Monday.

Key Points

Timeline: Paul McCartney became a vegetarian in 1975 and has maintained the diet ever since, a period of nearly 50 years.
Inspiration: The decision was made with his late wife Linda after they watched lambs playing on their farm while eating a lamb roast.
Activists: His wife Linda became a significant voice for vegetarianism, founding Linda McCartney Foods and publishing cookbooks.
Campaigns: With his daughters, he launched the Meat Free Monday campaign in 2009, encouraging people to reduce meat consumption.
Advocacy: McCartney has used his fame to advocate for animal rights, narrating the PETA documentary Glass Walls to raise awareness.
Vegan vs. Vegetarian: He is a vegetarian who consumes some dairy and eggs from his own humanely kept animals, but is not a strict vegan.

The Moment That Inspired a Lifetime of Vegetarianism

Paul McCartney's journey into vegetarianism began in 1975, a decision made with his first wife, Linda, on their Scottish farm. While eating a lamb roast, they observed lambs playing outside their window, leading to a realization of the disconnect between consuming meat and their affection for animals. This moment sparked a joint commitment to a meat-free diet that has lasted nearly 50 years. The decision came during a period of transition for McCartney after the breakup of The Beatles, as he and Linda embraced a more rural lifestyle.

Linda McCartney's Instrumental Influence

Linda McCartney was a significant force in their shared vegetarianism and animal rights advocacy. She helped popularize vegetarianism through her work.

Linda McCartney's key contributions included:

Publishing successful vegetarian cookbooks.
Launching her own popular line of frozen vegetarian meals.
Using her public profile to advocate for animal welfare.

Her family continues her legacy by updating her cookbooks.

Paul McCartney's Ongoing Activism

Following Linda's death in 1998, Paul McCartney has continued their advocacy for animal welfare, addressing issues like factory farming and animal testing. He believes that exposing the realities of slaughterhouses would turn people vegetarian. He narrated the PETA documentary, Glass Walls, highlighting conditions in factory farms.

In 2009, Paul and his daughters, Stella and Mary, started the Meat Free Monday campaign, encouraging people to skip meat once a week for environmental and animal welfare benefits. The campaign has gained global recognition.

Paul McCartney's Diet vs. Other Beatles

Comparing Paul's commitment to his bandmates' dietary choices reveals differing paths:


Feature	Paul McCartney	Linda McCartney	Ringo Starr	George Harrison
Initiation	1975, with Linda	1975, with Paul	Later in life	Mid-1960s
Reasoning	Ethical and compassionate	Ethical and compassionate	Primarily for health	Spiritual beliefs
Status	Lifelong vegetarian, leans ethical vegan	Remained vegetarian until her death	Still vegetarian	Remained vegetarian
Legacy	Co-founded Meat Free Monday; narrated PETA films	Pioneered Linda McCartney Foods; wrote cookbooks	Less public advocacy, more personal choice	Spiritual inspiration

Vegetarian vs. Vegan: What's the Difference for Paul?

Paul McCartney identifies as a vegetarian, not a strict vegan. While he avoids meat, he consumes some dairy and eggs, explaining that his eggs come from his own humanely raised chickens. He also mentioned enjoying cheese and eggs as a reason for not being fully vegan. However, his daughter Stella McCartney is a prominent vegan and has influenced the family's move towards more plant-based options. His approach highlights his primary motivation: reducing cruelty to animals within industrial food systems.

The Enduring Impact of a Meat-Free Life

Paul McCartney's decision in 1975 to become vegetarian with Linda has significantly impacted popular culture and the animal rights movement. Through his music, his work with organizations like PETA, and initiatives such as Meat Free Monday, he has helped normalize vegetarianism and shift public attitudes towards animal welfare. His story demonstrates how a compassionate choice can lead to a wider movement. For almost 50 years, his vegetarian lifestyle has inspired many, showing that ethical decisions can bring both personal fulfillment and global benefit. His combined influence with Linda's legacy has contributed to a more compassionate approach to food.

You can learn more about the Meat Free Monday campaign here: https://meatfreemondays.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

Paul McCartney became a vegetarian in 1975, with his wife Linda. He has maintained this diet for nearly 50 years.

He and Linda were eating lamb on their farm when they saw lambs playing outside. This moment sparked a realization of the disconnect between eating animals and loving them, leading them to stop eating meat.

Yes, Paul McCartney is still a vegetarian. His commitment has lasted for nearly five decades and he remains an active advocate for animal rights.

No, Paul McCartney is not a strict vegan. While he avoids meat, he has stated that he still consumes dairy and eggs, clarifying that he sources eggs from his own humanely raised chickens.

His first wife, Linda McCartney, was a major influence. They made the decision together, and she was a passionate advocate who went on to create cookbooks and a popular vegetarian food brand.

Meat Free Monday is a campaign launched by Paul McCartney and his daughters in 2009 that encourages people to go without meat for one day a week to help the environment and animal welfare.

Yes, George Harrison also became vegetarian in the mid-1960s, reportedly for spiritual reasons. Ringo Starr is also a vegetarian, mainly for health reasons.