IRON Maiden legend Bruce Dickinson was stunned by the death of his estranged wife Paddy Bowden, after hoping she had “turned a corner” after their split.
The couple had been married for 29 years when details of their planned divorce emerged last November.
Bruce, 61, moved to Paris with his new lover Leana Dolci, 46, a fitness instructor and Maiden “super-fan”.
But sources say that despite the split, the singer’s relationship with Paddy had become “much improved”.
They had found themselves back in “a good place” — even though she had suffered from struggles behind the scenes in her personal life.
A friend said: “Paddy has had her issues and of course the divorce was difficult, as it would be for anyone, but actually things between her and Bruce were much better.
“She’s taken some time away and he was living in Paris but their divorce was progressing surprisingly smoothly and the family remain close as a whole, so Bruce hoped she might be happier and more settled.”
Paddy, who was in her 50s, died at the couple’s former marital home in Chiswick, West London, on Monday.
In a statement released as The Sun revealed the death, Bruce said: “This is a tragedy which appears to be a tragic accident.
“Our children and I are devastated. Out of respect for Paddy we won’t be making any further comment at this hugely painful time for our family.”
Neighbours who saw paramedics at the house said Paddy had issues for some time, but were shocked when news of her death emerged.
One said: “She has had some personal struggles but she was a really lovely woman — always very friendly.”
Rocker Bruce had been famously clean living. He is an enthusiastic ale fan and brews his own signature beers, but has always shunned drugs.
Bruce’s divorce came four years after he beat stage 3 throat cancer.
He was supported by Paddy and their children — sons Austin, 29, and Griffin, 27, and daughter Kia, 28.
He was given the all-clear after six months of intense chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
