Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken about the difficulties she experienced during her highly publicized relationship and broken engagement with Brad Pitt in the 1990s. In a recent appearance on the "Friends Keep Secrets" podcast, Paltrow, 53, reflected on her three-year romance with Pitt, who is 62, describing it as "overwhelming" at the time.
Paltrow met Pitt while filming the movie "Se7en" in 1994, recalling it as a "love at first sight" experience. "I was very young and he was this beautiful movie star," she told podcast hosts Benny Blanco, Lil Dicky, and Kristin Batalucco. She added that their relationship, which led to an engagement in 1996, felt "heady" and at times like a fantasy. The couple ultimately ended their relationship in 1997.
The actress stated that the intense media attention surrounding their relationship added a significant burden. "I think the press aspect and all that makes it feel larger than life in a way," Paltrow explained. "You have to carry this faux cultural importance piece, this extra burden and this extra shame that it didn't work out."
Paltrow also mentioned that she remains on friendly terms with Pitt. "He's great and I love him," she said, expressing that she was "so bummed" when they parted ways. She noted that they were "working all over different parts of the world" during their relationship, contributing to its demanding nature.
Paltrow's past romantic life has continued to be a subject of discussion. In a 2023 interview with Call Her Daddy's Alex Cooper, she compared Pitt to Ben Affleck, whom she also dated. When asked who was better in bed, Paltrow responded that Pitt offered "major chemistry" at the time, while Affleck was "technically excellent." Regarding their acting abilities, she praised both but leaned towards Pitt for his diverse roles.
Paltrow married Coldplay frontman Chris Martin in 2003, with whom she has two children, Apple, 22, and Moses, 20, before their divorce in 2016. She has been married to TV writer and director Brad Falchuk since 2018.