Gwyneth Paltrow Marriage: Actress Gives Relationship Advice In 'Harper's Bazaar'

Although Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin are rarely seen in public together, Paltrow has no qualms dishing on her 8-year-and-counting marriage to the Coldplay frontman.

In the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar, the 39-year-old actress opens up about how she keeps her marriage alive -- despite her and Martin's busy careers.

"I want to maintain my marriage and my family, so I have to be here when he comes home," Paltrow told the magazine. "All I can do is my best, and I can do only what works for me and my family."

Paltrow revealed that she believes compromise is paramount to a relationship. The actress told Harper's Bazaar that she recently gave a close friend some practical advice: "I said this may not be feminist, but you have to compromise. It's been all about you and you're a big deal. And if you want what you're saying you want -- a family -- you have to be a wife, and that is part of the equation."

The actress also spoke frankly about the ups and downs of marriage: "I think you do fall in and out of love and you just keep going," she told the magazine. "And every time you go through a really difficult phase, you rediscover something new and it just gets better. We've been married for more than eight years now, and we're still into it."

The couple seems to be opening up more about their marriage in recent years. In October 2011, Martin told "CBS Sunday Morning" that he's only had one serious relationship (to his wife, of course), and compared his marriage to Paltrow to "winning the lottery." And when false rumors of a split emerged last year, Paltrow quickly defended her relationship in the September issue of Elle: "Sometimes it's hard being with someone for a long time... I'm not going to take this for granted," she said.

Paltrow and Martin met in 2002 and tied the knot the following year. The couple have two children together, 7-year-old Apple and 5-year-old Moses.

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Comments

[quartrhoss]

06:13 AM on 02/03/2012

so glad that from her advantage of 8 years she feels qualified to give advice. Since when is 8 years a long time? In some states your driver's license lasts that long.
signed 31 yrs and counting

[telefvrad]

09:12 AM on 02/03/2012

Of course, the elephant in the room -- that she and her husband are MULTI-MILLIONAIRES who can dash back and forth to "be together" at any time, to say nothing of everything else -- is not mentioned. Go bankrupt, Gwynnie, then talk to us about how you "stay together".

[annasophie1228]

12:39 AM on 02/03/2012

this means that they are about to announce a separation.

[mommyoffour]

02:52 AM on 02/03/2012

You know...I hate to say it, but I was thinking the same thing. It always seems to happen that way doesn't it? Let's hope they are the exception.

[wrenaroo]

11:54 PM on 02/02/2012

WOW! A whole 8 years! This woman is so full of herself and probably delusional too. She is the type who finds out her husband has been having affairs (or is gay) and because she was so wrapped up in the perfect facade that she will be blameless in any situation. She should try living the average woman's life...HAVING to work, struggling with money in the marriage, raising her kids without nannies or help and realizing nobody cares about her opinion. Go away Gwyneth.

[mmcle82796]

11:54 PM on 02/02/2012

I guess for a movie star and a singer that 8 years is a long time. I don't think she should be giving advice for a long time. I remember all the things we thought we would do when we were married less than ten years and I don't think we have done any of it. Married now for 42 years and all I can say is you had better have a good sense of humor because it can be a bumpy ride.

[Cindy NoneYa]

10:10 PM on 02/02/2012

Oh boy when they start talking relationship and how good it is, and "defending rumors of a split" they will split

[mommyoffour]

02:53 AM on 02/03/2012

I agree

[askonemom]

08:18 PM on 02/02/2012

Wow married less than 10 years and an expert already......... with no money worries, child care at your disposal and the ability to hop a flight anywhere at anytime. Yeah, I could make that work for less than 10 years easy!

[seabeeutcn]

08:17 PM on 02/02/2012

wow a whole 8 years, please tell us how you do it.

[robertstone1robert]

07:53 PM on 02/02/2012

It's funny getting marital advice from one of the Hollywood crowd. They're hardly sure of one another for more than 5 minutes.

[karaanne90]

06:35 PM on 02/02/2012

It sure is refreshing to read articles like this. Restores your faith in people.

[denvermom2]

06:15 PM on 02/02/2012

I think it's funny she said we' vebeen married for 8 years now and still into it - I wonder how into it she would be if he only made 80k a year and was home every night? ( 18 years for me in july!!) I think they look like brother and sister anyway!

[lindamom]

06:17 PM on 02/02/2012

I know huh? Ohhhhhh 8 whole years LOL...my parents were married for 67 years, me - 26 until he unfortunately died and I never fell out of love with him!

[karaanne90]

06:37 PM on 02/02/2012

8 years is an eternity when we are talking celebrity marriages. I think it's wonderful. Cut her some slack.

[Nelle N]

06:02 PM on 02/02/2012

She better be careful talking to media about her marraige. The last 4 people I read about had just stated how happy their marriages and how they stay together to magazines and gossip sites then they end up divorcing 2 weeks later (Katy Perry, K Katrashian, Heidi Klum, and Demi Moore)

[Nelle N]

06:03 PM on 02/02/2012

And I must mention that I do like Gwen Paltrow very much so I'm not just trying to be negative nancy lol

[Writerofzion]

05:37 PM on 02/02/2012

Having all the money they will ever need helps this couple's marriage a lot. Some wives have to work at jobs that keep them from being there when hubby comes home each time. Oh, well. I like them both and wish them all the happiness. Gwyneth is so sincere and sweet to give advice.

[ez3714]

10:30 PM on 02/02/2012

Bullcrap. Having all the money they ever will need is one of the greatest enemies to a marriage. Two people that are broke are commited to each other. Two people rolling in money think they can have everything they want and have it their way. Here we have a person who can have anything (and any Man) she wants, and she's talking about compromise. Her stock just rose and yours just fell.

[Writerofzion]

09:32 AM on 02/03/2012

Marriage is not about money, but it helps tremendously. I just think it's sweet for someone who can have anything or any man makes it a point to be home when her husband arrives. Whatever else she says, that's a nice thing. And I don't have stock to go up or down, I think your comment about stock is off subject. Be kind.

[FSMbaby]

05:24 PM on 02/02/2012

My goodness. She's so incredibly perfect. I'm surprised she doesn't poop cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles.

[wrenaroo]

11:59 PM on 02/02/2012

Doesn't she? I think she sells them through GOOP!

[FSMbaby]

04:03 PM on 02/03/2012

I wouldn't doubt it.

[Ted Cantu]

04:43 PM on 02/02/2012

Ladies if you want to keep your men happy you gotta feed them Spam twice a week. Every woman knows that.

[lindamom]

06:19 PM on 02/02/2012

OMG - you win for my huge laugh of the day Ted - thanks!

[tearose2750]

09:18 PM on 02/02/2012

LOL...I love that! I have never cook a Spam dinner for my husband of 28 years but by golly I think it is about time for me to do that. Thanks for the :-)

[robbo1400]

04:37 PM on 02/02/2012

Wish them both luck for many years of happiness.........But, I have clothes that are more than 8 years old..........I guess 8 years IS some kind of record for celebrities.