Gwyneth Paltrow Shares a Very Rare Selfie With Ex Chris Martin and Sends an Emotional Message on His 46th Birthday

Although Gwyneth Paltrow is currently in a happy marriage with the Glee showrunner, Brad Falchuk, she often references her past relationship with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in unconventional ways. Ever since the couple separated on amicable terms, the actress hasn’t missed an opportunity to express her admiration and affection for her former partner.

1. A heartfelt wish to celebrate Martin’s birthday

The Shakespeare in Love actress recently posted a very rare picture with her previous spouse. She was captured wearing minimal makeup and donning her nerdy glasses while resting her head on Chris Martin in what seemed to be a parking lot. Gwyneth, now 50, wished her former partner a joyful 46th birthday.

In her caption, the GOOP creator expressed her admiration for her former flame, to whom she was married from 2003 to 2016. “Happy birthday to the sweetest father and friend. We love you,” she wrote and signed off with his initials, “cajm.”

2. The former lovers’ relationship timeline.

Paltrow first met Martin in 2002 while hanging out backstage at one of Martin’s Coldplay concerts. They began dating and tied the knot in 2003. Throughout their decade-long marriage, Paltrow and Martin welcomed 2 kids, Apple, 18, and Moses, 16.

In March 2014, they decided to split up, much to the surprise of their fans. Paltrow and Martin announced in a post on the GOOP website titled ’Conscious Uncoupling,’ stating that it was a decision made with heavy hearts.

In their statement, Paltrow and Martin emphasized that they would always prioritize their role as parents and appealed for privacy during this challenging period. The couple stated that they have always maintained a private relationship and aim to continue this approach as they navigate their separation and co-parent their children.

Despite their split, they have since become close friends and successful co-parents. During a virtual interview, Paltrow expressed her appreciation for Martin and referred to him as “like my brother.” She also expressed gratitude for the family they created together and how well their arrangement has worked out. The 2 even vacationed together with their new partners: Paltrow’s husband, Brad Falchuk, and Martin’s girlfriend, Dakota Johnson, the daughter of Melanie Griffith and Don Johnson.

3. The pair’s mature approach to co-parenting

In 2019, the actress mentioned that she and Chris were always meant to be together. She revealed that they were separated for a year before announcing it publicly, and during that time, she sought advice from friends with divorced parents. Their shared experiences included parents who were not speaking for years and who even hated each other, making it difficult for their children. Learning from their experience, Paltrow thought, “I would really love to skip that part.”

4. Paltrow’s second happy marriage

Paltrow’s Selfie with Chris Martin followed her recent Instagram post, wishing her current husband, Brad Falchuk, a happy birthday. On his 52nd birthday, the actress shared a handsome picture of the Glee showrunner in a cardigan. In the post, Paltrow joked that Falchuk was “so cool” for not using social media before asking her followers to wish him a happy birthday anyway. She captioned the post with a heartfelt birthday message and a blue heart emoji.

Many of her celebrity friends commented on the post, sending their well-wishes to the birthday boy, including Chelsea Handler, who wrote, “Happy Birthday, HOTNESS,” and Jessica Seinfeld, who remarked, “No one wears a shawl collar like this man.”

5. Her previous love stories.

In addition to her marriage with Chris Martin and her current relationship with Brad Falchuk, Paltrow also dated Ben Affleck in the late ’90s when he was a heartthrob. The couple met in 1997 at a Hollywood dinner party.

Paltrow’s on-again, off-again relationship with Affleck ended for good in 2000 after they co-starred in the romantic drama Bounce. Before Affleck, Paltrow was engaged to Pitt, but their 3-year relationship ended in a broken engagement.