Gwyneth Paltrow has discussed the “failure” she felt when she filed for divorce, citing the break down of her marriage to Coldplay's Chris Martin as one of her biggest regrets.
Paltrow’s announcement in May 2014 that she would be “consciously uncoupling” from Martin was initially met with derision, but speaking on a panel in Los Angeles, the actress admitted that it had taken a toll on her.
When an audience member asked what part of her life didn’t turn out the way she planned, she bluntly replied: “My marriage”.
“I am from a tribe of people who stay married. My parents stayed married until my dad died,” she explained.
Paltrow went on to explain that most of her family and close friends are in long-term marriages.
“I really don’t come from a culture of divorce at all, and I had very high hopes for what my life could be,” she added, speaking at the Pearl xChange Q&A.
She went on to describe how the decision to separate from Martin was particularly hard when it came to thinking about their two children, Apple and Moses, adding that it was “difficult” that she wasn’t able to stay married with their father.
“It was very challenging for me in terms of having to re-assess what that said about me, ideas that I had about that kind of failure.”
Paltrow and Martin have maintained a close relationship following the divorce, something Paltrow said she values and appreciates.
Martin has also spoken about their relationship in the media during an appearance on an Australian radio show, saying he felt grateful for the good things in his life since separating.
“I just feel happy to be alive,” he admitted.
