Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt were engaged in the mid-1990s before ending their relationship in 1997. Though Paltrow has rarely spoken publicly about Pitt’s marriage to Jennifer Aniston in 2000, the new biography Gwyneth: The Biography by Amy Odell reveals that Paltrow experienced private sadness when she learned of the union. This book sheds light on how Paltrow kept her feelings discreet while moving forward from one of her earliest high-profile romances.
Handling Emotions Privately as Pitt Moved On
In 1994, Paltrow starred alongside Brad Pitt in David Fincher’s film Se7en. The two became engaged two years later but ended the relationship quietly in 1997. According to Odell’s biography, Paltrow protected her privacy when Pitt got engaged to Jennifer Aniston just a few years afterward. During the 2000 Toronto Film Festival, Paltrow avoided commenting on their marriage outright. In an interview, when asked about Pitt and Aniston, she responded,
“Are you really asking me this question?”
and added,
“I can’t comment on this kind of thing.”
The Private Sadness Behind the Silence
Although Paltrow refrained from discussing Brad Pitt’s marriage publicly, Odell reveals Paltrow confided to friends that she felt sadness upon hearing the news. She reportedly also joked that Pitt
“has terrible taste in women,”
showing a blend of humor and hurt. In a candid meeting with Aerin Lauder of Estee Lauder, Paltrow allegedly expressed frustration with Pitt by saying,
“He’s dumber than a sack of s**t.”
The Reasons Behind Paltrow and Pitt’s Split
Odell’s biography provides insight into why Paltrow chose to end her engagement to Pitt, indicating that despite his desire to be with her, he seemed unsettled by her growing success and the public attention she attracted. It was Paltrow’s friend and makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin who advised her,
“You really need to end this.”
This counsel influenced her decision to move on from the relationship.
Continuing Friendships After Years of Change
Though Gwyneth Paltrow was privately saddened by Brad Pitt’s marriage to Jennifer Aniston, the couple divorced in 2005. Despite the past, Paltrow and Aniston have maintained a friendly relationship over the years. In January 2025, the two were seen together at an event, and in 2023, Paltrow shared a photo of Aniston kissing her on the cheek, describing herself as “so lucky” to count the actress as a friend. This ongoing connection highlights Paltrow’s ability to navigate complex relationships with grace and composure.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Jennifer Aniston diagnosed with?
A. When actress Jennifer Aniston was in her twenties, she found out she had dyslexia. She explains what learning this meant for her at www.DyslexiaConnect.com.
Q. At what age did Jennifer Aniston start IVF?
A. In the interview, Aniston mentioned that she tried having children using in vitro fertilization (IVF) in her thirties and forties, but it was unsuccessful. She expressed how tough it was to deal with constant speculation over the years.
Q. What surgery did Jennifer Aniston have on her face?
A. The talented actress revealed she has had cosmetic treatments like Botox and a nose job. In 2018, US Weekly reported that Jennifer Aniston had rhinoplasty. This surgery corrected a deviated septum that was improperly fixed over 12 years ago.
Q. What syndrome does Jennifer Aniston have?
A. Her dry eyes made tasks harder over time, causing her to depend on eye drops for short-term relief. In an open interview, Aniston shared that her condition worsened to the point where she required eye drops two to three times per hour.
