Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's complete relationship timeline

Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's romance has been solid for six years now, with the Coldplay star's ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow even counting Johnson as a close friend.

The couple are rumoured to have taken their relationship to the next level by getting engaged - although they are notoriously private about their life together so there has been no big announcement.

Here's how their love story has played out so far, from low-key first dates to family holidays and moving to Malibu together.

Chris Martin and Dakota Johnson's relationship timeline

First dates

Three years after his conscious uncoupling from ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow, Chris Martin was spotted out for dinner at an LA restaurant with Dakota Johnson in 2017.

Over the following months, the pair were seen enjoying time together at restaurants as a couple and with friends, and took walks on the beach together in Malibu.

Johnson also popped up in the crowd at a Coldplay concert in Buenos Aires, and their first public appearance together was at Stella McCartney's autumn 2018 show.

Supporting Coldplay

Whether or not Johnson was a Coldplay fan before she started dating Martin, she certainly is now.

The Fifty Shades of Grey actor has often been seen watching her partner's band performing over the past six years and dancing along to his music.

In February 2020, the pair even collaborated on the video for song Cry Cry Cry, with Johnson directing the band, and in March 2023 she introduced Martin to a type of body pack that hearing impaired fans can wear at concerts to feel the vibrations of music. Coldplay now provide a number of them at their shows.

Martin broke his usual personal life privacy at a Coldplay concert in October 2021 when he announced the song My Universe by saying: "This is about my universe and she's here."

Blended family holidays

Martin and Johnson appear to love a beach, so it makes sense that they like to spend their family holidays with the singer's children Apple and Moses by the sea.

Early in their relationship, the couple visited the Hamptons in August 2019 and hit headlines when they were joined by Martin's ex Paltrow with her new husband Brad Falchuk.

The couples and Paltrow and Martin's shared children had also teamed up for Thanksgiving at the end of 2018 and have taken a number of holidays together since.

Gwyneth Paltrow's seal of approval

The couple's romance can only have been strengthened by winning the support of Paltrow, who has been gushing in her praise of Johnson.

Paltrow even posted a 30th birthday tribute to Johnson on Instagram, and explained her feelings for her ex's partner in a 2020 Harper's Bazaar interview: "I love her. I can see how it would seem weird because it’s sort of unconventional. But I think, in this case, just having passed through it iteratively, I just adore her. I always start to think of the ampersand sign—what else can you bring in, instead of being resistant to or being made insecure by? There’s so much juice in leaning in to something like that."

In October last year, Paltrow said of Johnson in an Instagram Q and A: "We're actually very good friends," and a month later she proved her point by posting a photo with the actor out on a walk together holding hands.

Johnson's parents have been just as keen on her choice of partner, with mum Melanie Griffith declaring back in 2018: "I adore him," and dad Don Johnson adding in 2021: "He's a lovely guy."

Motherhood comments

Since getting together with Martin, Johnson has formed a close bond with Apple and Moses, his children from his marriage to Paltrow.

But the Cha Cha Real Smooth star has also hinted that she'd like to welcome her own children with her partner, telling Bustle Magazine this week: "I love those kids (Apple and Moses) like my life depends on it. With all my heart."

Asked how she felt about motherhood, she added: "I’m so open to that. I’ve gotten to this place where I really want to experience everything life has to offer. And especially being a woman, I’m like, what a magical f***ing thing to do. What a crazy, magical, wild experience. If that’s meant to happen for me, I’m totally down for it."

Engagement rumours

Fresh rumours have emerged this week that Martin and Johnson are planning to tie the knot, with sources reportedly claiming that they have been privately engaged for a while.

This isn't the first time that rumours of wedding bells have surfaced - as far back as December 2020, Johnson was seen wearing an emerald ring on her engagement finger.

The couple moved in together in Malibu in early 2021 and have been enjoying a quiet life of beach walks and time at home together when they get the chance during their busy schedules.

Read more: Gwyneth Paltrow

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• My life is still very intense, says Gwyneth Paltrow (BANG Showbiz, 2 min read)

• Gwyneth Paltrow includes $97,000 stay in Alaska in Valentine's gift guide (BANG Showbiz, 2 min read)