Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck shared a notably passionate connection during their relationship in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a chemistry so potent it often spilled over during their work together. Their relationship, highlighted in a new biography by Amy Odell, reveals that their physical attraction was so strong they struggled to keep their hands off each other even while filming the acclaimed movie Shakespeare in Love.
Unrestrained Affection on the Set of ‘Shakespeare in Love’
According to Gwyneth: The Biography, the couple displayed an open and sometimes unreserved affection during filming. Odell shares an incident where a crew member accidentally interrupted the pair in an intimate moment while fetching Paltrow from her dressing room. Ben Affleck, who also starred in the 1998 film, reportedly told the crew member, “Not now,” upon realizing he had entered the room prematurely.
Challenges Behind the Romance
The couple experienced an on-and-off relationship that ended in October 2000. The biography includes observations from an old friend of Paltrow’s, who suggested that Affleck may have been unfaithful and described him as “not a good boyfriend.” The friend also reflected on Affleck’s personal struggles, stating,
“Ben was not a good guy,”
and added,
“He just has so many demons.”
Meanwhile, the same source noted Paltrow’s loyalty to her partners, saying,
“[She] was always a good girlfriend to her boyfriends.”
After their breakup, Paltrow candidly expressed mixed feelings about men, saying,
“I love men, even though they’re lying, cheating scumbags.”
Celebrating Their Sexuality and Mutual Admiration
Throughout their relationship, Paltrow openly discussed her enjoyment of their intimate life. Odell recounts a moment when Paltrow confided in makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin about her excitement following a lunch in a London hotel room, sharing how much she appreciated a particular sexual act Affleck performed. In 2001, Paltrow described herself in Harper’s Bazaar as “a very sexual person.” Later, during a 2024 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she praised Affleck as a
“technically excellent”
lover.
On his part, Affleck held deep admiration for Paltrow, calling her
“the smartest woman [he’d] ever met.”
The Enduring Impact of Their Relationship
The open intensity and complex emotions shared by Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck during their romance contributed to both their personal growth and public personas. Their fiery connection, captured through their work on Shakespeare in Love and recounted in Amy Odell’s biography, offers insight into the challenges and passion that marked their time together. As both have moved forward, this chapter remains a significant part of their histories, reflecting the complicated nature of love amid fame and creativity.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What was Gwyneth Paltrow diagnosed with?
A. Paltrow talked about her experience after breaking her tibial plateau, which needed surgery. This injury prompted a bone scan that revealed she had osteopenia.
Q. What is Gwyneth Paltrow’s net worth? Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Paltrow’s net worth is $200 million as of 2025.
A. Is Gwyneth Paltrow a billionaire?
Gwyneth Paltrow is not a billionaire. Although she is wealthy due to her successful acting career and her lifestyle brand, Goop, she has not amassed a billion-dollar fortune.
Q. What is Gwyneth Paltrow’s skin condition?
A. Gwyneth Paltrow, an Oscar-winning actress and wellness business owner, has always supported self-care and natural health practices. She shared her experience with lichen sclerosus to raise awareness about the condition. Paltrow also highlighted the importance of adopting healthy lifestyle habits to manage chronic conditions.
Q. What condition does Gwyneth Paltrow have?
A. Gwyneth Paltrow, the famous actress, cares a lot about health. At age 37, in 2010, she shared unexpected news about her health. She was diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition that causes bone density to be lower than usual. This can make bones more likely to break, especially in women.
