- 2001
Body Issues
Paltrow stars as an overweight woman in Shallow Hal, but she accepts the role only after learning it is not mean-spirited. The actress also talks about her body issues, telling PEOPLE, "I've always been a slim person, but I've had issues with my body. Through most of junior high I felt very awkward. I was small for my age and very skinny." She also says she has been on a strict macrobiotic diet, eating raw foods and avoiding caffeine and sugars.
- 2002
Groupie in the Making
Backstage at a Coldplay concert in New York City, Paltrow jots down her phone number for Chris Martin, the band's lead singer. Two months later, though still officially just friends, Martin dedicates a song to Paltrow during a London concert.
A Goodbye
Just five days after Paltrow celebrates her 30th birthday in Italy, her father, Bruce, dies suddenly in his sleep. Since her early days in the spotlight, Paltrow was outspoken about her deep bond with her father. She tells London's Daily Telegraph, "I cannot fathom living the rest of my life without my father, but I have to."
- 2003
We're Having a Baby!
After nearly a year with Martin, Paltrow announces she is pregnant. Two days later, the couple marries in an intimate ceremony in Santa Barbara, Calif.
- 2004
Apple of Her Eye
Apple Blythe Alison Martin is born in London. Paltrow tells Oprah Winfrey, "When we were first pregnant, her daddy said, 'If it's a girl, I think her name should be Apple. Apples are sweet and they're wholesome, and it's biblical.' I thought it sounded so lovely and clean." The couple chooses not to have a nanny for at least the first year. On motherhood, Paltrow tells Entertainment Weekly, "It's like being the most in love you've ever been, but mixed with the worst heartbreak because she's so tender, because life is filled with so much difficulty, because one day you're not going to be together anymore."
- 2006
Baby Makes Four
Paltrow gives birth to her and Martin's second child, Moses Bruce, in New York City. He is named after a 2003 Coldplay song Martin wrote for Paltrow and her father, Bruce.
Paltrow's Screen Return
Paltrow returns to work with supporting roles in Running with Scissors, with Evan Rachel Wood, and the Truman Capote biopic Infamous. Paltrow tells Oprah that she loves being a mother and housewife, but working has made her a better mom. Next up, she stars in The Good Night, written and directed by her younger brother Jake, costarring Penélope Cruz.
- 2008
Box Office Iron
With Robert Downey Jr., Paltrow makes her box office mark in the comic blockbuster Iron Man, which opens at No. 1, taking in $100.7 million. Not only does the film impress audiences, but Paltrow's sexy red-carpet return does as well. "I've always liked clothes, and it's part of my job," the 35-year-old actress tells PEOPLE. "It's fun to dress up
Photo Credits
BIOGRAPHY (top to bottom): Everett Collection; Val Malone/WireImage; George De Sota/Getty; STEVE SANDS/BAUER-GRIFFIN; Wireimage; Zade Rosenthal/Paramount
- Name
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Birth Date
- September 27, 1972
- Birth Place
- Los Angeles, Calif.
- Heart Monitor
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Chris Martin, husband (2002 to present)
Ben Affleck, ex-boyfriend (1997 to 1999)
Brad Pitt, ex-boyfriend (1995 to 1997, engaged)
