Sex & Relationships

Gwyneth Paltrow’s 6 weirdest relationship tips

Tuesday, on her GOOP website, Gwyneth Paltrow announced that she and husband Chris Martin were divorcing — or, as she phrased it, “consciously uncoupling.” While the news came as no surprise — marital discord and infidelity had long been rumored — it is a bit ironic, given that Paltrow has doled out plenty of irksome advice for maintaining a happy relationship over the years. Below, a few favorites:

‘Don’t argue, get down on your knees’

Last year, Paltrow appeared on “Chelsea Lately,” and Chelsea Handler recalled a raunchy tip for resolving fights that Paltrow had given a mutual friend. Paltrow advised against yelling and screaming at your man. Instead, according to Handler’s recollection, Paltrow said, “Whatever you’re feeling, do the opposite. Go at him with love and you give him a b–wjob.” Maybe rational discussion is a better idea.

‘Be like a 1950s housewife’

Gwyneth plays the doting wife to then-hubby Chris.Getty Images

In 2012, Paltrow told Harper’s Bazaar that an old-fashioned approach to relationships was key. “I want to maintain my marriage and my family, so I have to be here when he [husband Chris Martin] comes home,” she said. “You have to be a wife.”

‘But give him his freedom’

While Chris hits the road with Coldplay (left), Gwyneth takes care of the kids (right).Getty Images; Splash News

“Chris is a very mad scientist, genius songwriter,” Paltrow has said. “So I never say, ‘Where are you? You should be home by now.’ I never place demands on him, because I think he’s a really talented man, and he’s putting something good into the world.”

‘Have a relaxed attitude about cheating’

As Chris and Gwyneth demonstrate, communication is the key to relationships… even if the topic is cheating.Startraks Photo

“I would like to think that I would be forgiving and/or forgiven, but I can’t give an honest answer as I haven’t really experienced that,” Paltrow told Refinery29 last September. Perhaps she and Martin were more “experienced” than the queen of GOOP let on?

‘Share your diet obsessions with your husband’

Gwyneth may be extremely health conscious, but she’s got the beach bod to show for it.Splash News

From juice cleanses to macrobiotic diets, Paltrow has hopped on various extreme nutrition bandwagons over the years. In her 2013 book “It’s All Good,” she inadvertently revealed that the whole family got to share in her dieting fun. “Sometimes when my family is not eating pasta, bread or processed grains like white rice, we’re left with that specific hunger that comes with avoiding carbs,” she wrote, making you feel a bit sorry for Martin and their kids. Maybe the Coldplay singer just wanted to be with someone who embraced gluten?

‘Publicly discuss your marital difficulties — a lot’

Though Gwyneth and Chris were camera shy in the public eye, the actress wasn’t afraid to dish details about their marriage during interviews.ZumaPress

In countless interviews, the challenge of marriage was a key talking point for Paltrow. “It’s hard being married,” she’d said. “You go through great times, you go through terrible times. We’re the same as any couple.” In the moment, such quotes often read as the WASP poster girl’s insincere attempts at being relatable, but now it’s clear that her overshares weren’t without truth.