Gwyneth Paltrow has credited her husband Chris Martin with helping her to rebuild her life after the death of her father Bruce Paltrow.

The actress was celebrating her 30th birthday on vacation in Italy with director Bruce when he suffered a heart attack, caused by complications from his battle with cancer. And she admits she was left heartbroken by her loss – until she met the Coldplay star.

She says, “I had to find the right person and I had to clear up a lot of personal stuff along the way. I was doing that in my own way, but having to deal with things in private. I did have therapy – just a limited amount, which helped clear my mind.”

“I turned 30 and my father died three days later. My life did a 180-degree turn in all areas. It was horrible beyond description to lose my father. But, on one hand, I lost the most special person in my life – and on the other, I had never been happier.”

Bruce Paltrow died in September 2002. The actress married Martin in December 2003.