Over two decades have passed since Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck called it quits, but their whirlwind relationship is making headlines again—thanks to a new biography that’s spilling some pretty personal tea.
In Amy Odell’s upcoming book, Gwyneth: The Biography, fresh details emerge about why the Hollywood power couple broke up back in 2000.
And yes, the revelations include talk of cheating, addiction, and emotional disconnect.
A Relationship Filled With Sparks and Struggles
According to an excerpt shared by People, Gwyneth and Ben had undeniable physical chemistry.
But that wasn’t enough to save their relationship from Affleck’s “self-destructive impulses”—a phrase Odell uses to describe his alcoholism, gambling habits, and possibly even infidelity.
At one point, Gwyneth reportedly confided in a friend, saying, “I love men, even though they’re lying, cheating scumbags.”
That stings, especially when you consider she once admired Ben for his sharp intellect.
Friends Were Concerned—and With Good Reason
Odell writes that Gwyneth’s inner circle had doubts about Affleck from early on.
One red flag? His tendency to blow off quality time with her to play video games with his buddies. Ouch.
He apparently didn’t always match Gwyneth’s affection, and that imbalance created real cracks in their bond.
Even though she was all in, he wasn’t always present—emotionally or physically.
Things Got Steamy, But It Wasn’t Enough
Despite the problems, Gwyneth didn’t shy away from being candid about their sexual chemistry.
Odell includes a bold quote from her late friend and makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin, who once said Paltrow spoke openly about how much she enjoyed their sex life with Ben.
Let’s just say, the actress didn’t hold back when describing certain things Affleck was particularly “excellent” at.
Movie Magic and a Real-Life Mess
While they were together, the couple starred in two films—1998’s Shakespeare in Love (which landed Gwyneth an Oscar) and 2000’s Bounce.
On-screen, they had that spark. Off-screen, things were messier.
In a 2015 interview with Howard Stern, Gwyneth reflected on their time together, saying that while her parents appreciated Ben’s intelligence and talent, they knew he wasn’t in the right place emotionally.
“He was not in a good place in his life to have a girlfriend,” she admitted.
Comparing Ben to Brad Pitt—Yes, She Went There
Fast-forward to 2023, and Gwyneth found herself on the Call Her Daddy podcast, where she compared Ben Affleck to another very famous ex—Brad Pitt.
She dated Brad in the ‘90s and was even engaged to him before calling it off at 24, feeling too young for marriage.
When asked who was better in bed, Gwyneth didn’t dodge.
“Brad was the major chemistry love of [my] life at the time.
And then Ben was like, technically excellent,” she confessed. Honest, much?
As for acting chops, she gave the edge to Brad but praised Ben as a “great writer and director.”
Where They Are Now
Today, Gwyneth Paltrow is a mom to two kids—Apple, 21, and Moses, 19—from her marriage to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
She’s now married to writer-director Brad Falchuk, with whom she tied the knot in 2018.
Ben Affleck, meanwhile, has had his own share of very public ups and downs—and of course, his much-watched rekindled romance with Jennifer Lopez.