The jewelry designer recently got candid about her 2016 divorce from Tobey Maguire, and she revealed how the Goop founder and her own split from Chris Martin inspired the amazing relationship she and the Spider-Man alum have now.
"Right when Tobey and I were starting to break up, I watched what Gwyneth Paltrow was doing with Chris" Jennifer said on the Broad Ideas with Rachel Bilson & Olivia Allen podcast July 22. "This 'conscious uncoupling' that everyone was sort of making fun of. I got to see it firsthand, and it was the most beautiful thing I had ever witnessed two human beings go through."
"I was taught that divorce is ugly," the 47-year-old continued. "I was taught that divorce was bad and it would never be good."
But watching Gwyneth be "so loving and kind and open" with Chris made her realize that she and Tobey could find the positive in their split.
"I just witnessed their beautiful breakup," she continued, "and I was like, 'You guys are an example for every couple who is breaking up.'"
Gwyneth introduced Jennifer and Tobey to Dr. Habib Sadeghi, the man who coined the idea of "conscious uncoupling." And Jennifer is incredibly grateful she and the Great Gatsby alum—who share kids Ruby, 17, and son Otis, 15—went through that together, because these days their relationship is better than ever.
"Tobey is my best friend now," she said. "We travel together, we do every holiday together, I'm so lucky."
"I literally have the best ex-husband in the world and I hit the jackpot," Jennifer added. "I honestly don't know what I would do without him in my life. I ride for him so hard. He's so phenomenal."
Still, she acknowledges that their thriving relationship—which Jennifer revealed also includes his close bond with her boyfriend—didn't happen overnight, stressing, "Tobey and I have done a lot of work to create that."
And as part of their close dynamic, Jennifer has also set the record straight when it comes to rumors about Tobey, whom she was wed for nine years, most recently that he was dating 20-year-old model Lily Chee.
"I don't usually respond to such nonsense, but he was kindly helping a friend to her car," Jennifer responded to a commenter on Instagram. "Being a good guy. And now he has [sic] blasted online for dating someone he is not."
She added, "Don't believe everything you read. Tobey is as good of a guy as it gets."
For a look at more stars who have maintained positive relationships with their exes, keep reading.
Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt
Sarah Silverman & Jimmy Kimmel
Chris Pratt & Anna Faris
Tarek El Moussa & Christina Anstead
Lisa Bonet & Lenny Kravitz
Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner
Nina Dobrev & Ian Somerhalder
Lady Gaga & Taylor Kinney
Mindy Kaling & B.J. Novak
Ashlee Simpson & Pete Wentz
Miley Cyrus & Nick Jonas
Michael C. Hall & Jennifer Carpenter
Bruce Willis & Demi Moore
Jennifer Lopez & Marc Anthony
Courteney Cox & David Arquette
Cameron Diaz & Justin Timberlake
Peter Facinelli & Jennie Garth
Will Arnett & Amy Poehler
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