Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken out about her high-profile ski accident legal battle earlier this year and how she felt morally obligated to appear in court.
The 51-year-old actress described in an interview with People how she was driven by a deep desire to do the “right thing” and defend herself.
“I found myself in that situation and it was really important to me to go out there and try to do the right thing,” she said.
Gwyneth finally prevailed after retired optician Terry Sanderson filed a lawsuit against her, claiming she recklessly crashed into him at the Deer Valley Resort in 2016.
She appeared in court in a high-profile civil trial earlier this year and jurors concluded that Sanderson, 76, was “100 percent” responsible for the collision.
‘I really believe in fighting for what’s right’: Gwyneth Paltrow has spoken out about her high-profile ski accident legal battle earlier this year and how she felt a moral obligation to appear in court
The “Shakespeare in Love” actress said her priority was to remain “calm” while testifying and attending the high-profile trial.
“I didn’t want to attract any more attention. I wanted it to be about the truth coming out.”
The process was an extreme experience for Gwyneth: “It was an intense experience.” I’ve said to myself over and over again in life: If you believe in God or the universe or whatever, I believe that we are always exactly where we should be. And we don’t have to understand it.’
“I really believe in fighting for what’s right,” Gwyneth said, adding that it’s part of her personality as a Libra.
“But I think when things come up in my life where something egregious has happened and there’s an opportunity to change the culture for women in that way, I kind of jump in,” she said.
Gwyneth has been vocal about issues in the past, but believes women in the public eye have no obligation to “do anything.”
Despite this belief, she felt compelled to speak out about the treatment of women – an “important” concern for her.
“For some reason, I personally feel like I have a responsibility to try to continue to push the culture forward in this way that women should be respected, women should be safe… Women should feel empowered to express themselves and their opinions and “Women’s expression should be allowed to thrive,” she said.
Gwyneth previously defended her decision to fight the $300,000 ski accident dispute, despite being able to easily pay the compensation from her $200 million fortune.
Legal battle: Gwyneth finally prevailed after retired optician Terry Sanderson filed a lawsuit against her, accusing her of recklessly driving into him at the Deer Valley Resort in 2016
The plaintiff: Terry Sanderson (pictured) sued Paltrow
The Oscar-winning actress said settling the case would have compromised her “integrity,” which is why she went all the way to court in a statement uploaded to her Instagram Story on Thursday night.
In doing so, the usually divisive Paltrow gained a legion of fans impressed by her principles, with some even coining the hashtag “#gwynnocent.”
In her Instagram Stories after the jury’s decision, she said: “I felt that agreeing to a false claim compromised my integrity.”
“I am pleased with the outcome and appreciate the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury and thank them for their thoughtfulness in handling this case.”
Gwyneth finally prevailed after retired optician Terry Sanderson filed a lawsuit against her, claiming she recklessly crashed into him at Deer Valley Resort in 2016 (pictured 2016).
After her legal victory, Paltrow’s lawyer read a statement from the actress outside the courthouse.
Stephen Owens, who represented the actress, said: “We are pleased with the outcome and appreciate the thoughtfulness of the judge and jury.”
“Gwyneth has always stood up for what is right and this situation is no different. “She will continue to stand up for what is right.”
According to Cosmopolitan, Paltrow has a net worth of around $200 million.
Much of her wealth comes from her Goop wellness empire, which alone is worth $250 million.
After winning the lawsuit, Paltrow owes just a single dollar from Sanderson, who also has to pay her legal fees.