Nancy Shevell to leave MTA board

The wife of Paul McCartney resigned Wednesday from her longtime post on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board.

Nancy Shevell of East Hampton announced her departure at the start of an MTA board meeting in Manhattan. She did not give a reason, but fellow board members alluded to her spending more time in London.

Shevell, 52, married the former Beatle in October in London. She is the third wife of McCartney, 69.

"In my 30-year professional career, this has been the absolute highlight, to serve on this board," she said, adding she was "very emotional and sad" to announce her resignation.

Shevell, vice president of administration of New England Motor Freight Inc. and the Shevell Group, has been on the board for 11 years.

MTA board member Mark Lebow said Shevell remained focused on her responsibilities in the unpaid post "and stayed the same old Nancy" even while in a media spotlight because of her relationship with "the world's greatest living performing artist."