Gwyneth Paltrow reveals moment she knew marriage to Chris Martin was over

Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin made headlines in 2014 when they announced their decision to 'consciously uncouple' after a decade of marriage.

Despite the semblance of a perfect life, with two children, Apple, now 20, and son Moses, aged 18, the couple shocked fans when Gwyneth posted a surprising statement on her Goop website, indicating their marriage had come to an end.

In a heartfelt joint statement, they expressed: "It is with hearts full of sadness that we have decided to separate. We have come to the conclusion that while we love each other very much, we will remain separate.

"We are, however, and always will be a family, and in many ways are closer than we have ever been."

The pair requested privacy from the public during "this difficult time," emphasizing their commitment to their children by stating: "We are parents, first and foremost."

They added: "We have always conducted our relationship privately, and we hope to do that as we consciously uncouple and co-parent, we will be able to continue in the same manner."

Since their official split and divorce in 2015, Gwyneth and Chris have been seen enjoying holidays together, celebrating birthdays and Christmases as a family, and both have found love with new partners. Gwyneth, 51, tied the knot with Brad Falchuk, 53 the creative mind behind American Horror Story, Glee and Scream Queens - in 2018.

Chris, 47, is now in a relationship with 34 year old Fifty Shades of Grey star Dakota Johnson, who even spends time with Gwyneth. In March, the Mirror reported Chris and Dakota were engaged after six years of dating.

Despite both being content in their new relationships - and also with each other - Gwyneth has since reflected on the moment she realised her marriage was over. Recalling a seemingly perfect day with her then-husband, the actress confessed she knew deep down she was not happy.

In a heartfelt piece for British Vogue, Gwyneth Paltrow shared: "It was my birthday, my 38th. My ex-husband [Chris] and I were tucked away in the Tuscan countryside, on a hill in a beautiful cottage with a view of the forest.

"Fall was coming; the leaves were just loosening their grip on bright green. Inside, the cottage was perfectly appointed in the way you dream of for a birthday trip: cosy living room with a fireplace, kitchen table overflowing with spoils from the farm nearby peaches, tomatoes on the vine, basil, eggs.

"I don't recall when it happened, exactly. I don't remember which day of the weekend it was or the time of day. But I knew despite long walks and longer lie-ins, big glasses of Barolo and hands held my marriage was over."

Gwyneth poignantly kept this devastating realisation to herself, later disclosing: "It would be years before we said the words aloud", but acknowledged during that weekend "a dam had cracked just enough to hear the unrelenting trickle of truth".

She described how this truth eventually became "all I could hear". Reflecting on her relationship with Chris, she confessed they "always been friends", sharing laughter, a sense of humour, and "utter silliness".

Despite their closeness, Gwyneth conceded: "We were close, though we never fully settled into being a couple. We just didn't quite fit together. There was always a bit of unease and unrest. But man, did we love our children."

The star of Shallow Hal revealed they both did everything possible to avoid ending their marriage in an effort to maintain a united family front, sharing her only experiences with divorce as a child were "bitter, acrimonious, unending", which she desperately wanted to avoid "with all my heart".

Contrary to popular belief, the term 'conscious uncoupling' wasn't coined by Gwyneth and Chris it was actually introduced by their therapist. They practised this approach in private for a full year before going public with their split.

Gwyneth elaborated on the concept, saying: "Was there a world where we could break up and not lose everything? Could we be a family, even though we were not a couple? We decided to try."

While initially their separation announcement shocked the media, leading to a mix of mockery and anger from the public, Gwyneth noted now people are more curious about how she managed to navigate the process successfully.

She concluded: "It's very different for every couple but, for me, it meant, more than anything, being accountable for my own part in the dissolution of the relationship.

"There existed aspects of myself I was trying to heal through this relationship that I wasn't honest with myself about. I had been blind, guarded, invulnerable, intolerant.

"I had to admit that and be brave enough to share it. I know my ex-husband was meant to be the father of my children, and I know my current husband is meant to be the person I grow very old with.

"Conscious uncoupling lets us recognise those two different loves can coexist and nourish each other."

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