Gwyneth Paltrow is converting to Judaism after her conscious uncoupling with husband Chris Martin, sources tell Page Six.
The actress is quietly converting after years of following Kabbalah, which originated in Judaism, and being friends with Michael Berg, co-director of the Kabbalah Centre.
While Paltrow’s rep didn’t respond to numerous requests for comment, her late father was film producer Bruce Paltrow, a Jew, while her mother, Blythe Danner, is a Christian. The “Iron Man” star has previously revealed that she was raised both Jewish and Christian, which “was such a nice way to grow up.”
In 2011, she appeared on NBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?,” which described how her family came from a long line of influential Eastern European rabbis.
She had said in a 2006 Guardian interview that her father was descended from a Russian rabbinical dynasty. She was quoted as saying, “Like, 17 generations of rabbis — you see, I really am a Jewish princess!”
After appearing on the ancestry show, Paltrow had said she wants to raise her daughter, Apple, 10, and son, Moses, 8, in a Jewish environment, even though their father is Christian. She reportedly made the comment to guests at a London event that was hosted by Community Security Trust, a charity that represents Jewish interests.
Last year, while promoting her cookbook “It’s All Good,” she declared herself “the original Jewish mother” because of how she enjoys cooking for people.
Paltrow — who went on Jimmy Kimmel’s show this week to talk about her upcoming Stand Up to Cancer benefit — told You magazine, “Creating a meal for my family and friends, sitting together, eating, laughing and talking, that’s when I’m happy. Oh my God, if you saw the amount of food that I do. I am the original Jewish mother. I make meals from these new recipes that look, smell and taste like the food I always cooked, but are also super healthy. That is an additional joy.”