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Chris Martin (Coldplay) Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated October 5, 2026 • 3 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth2 March 1977

BirthplaceWhitestone, Devon, England

ProfessionSinger, Songwriter, Musician, Record Producer, Philanthropist

NationalityBritish

Marital statusDivorced

SpouseGwyneth Paltrow

FamilyChildren - Apple Blythe Alison Martin (daughter), Moses Bruce Anthony Martin (son)

Chris Martin (Coldplay) Biography

Lead singer and songwriter of Coldplay, Chris Martin has built a decades-long career in music while also maintaining a public family life and occasional is

Early life and background
Christopher Anthony John Martin was born on 2 March 1977 in Whitestone, Devon, England. He grew up in a musical household; his mother worked as a music teacher and exposed him to instruments from an early age. Martin is the eldest of five children and attended Exeter Cathedral School before moving on to Sherborne School in Dorset. He later studied Ancient World Studies at University College London, graduating with first-class honours after focusing on Greek and Latin.

Career
While still at school Martin formed his first group at age 11. At university he reconnected with musicians who would become his bandmates: Jonny Buckland and Will Champion, and together with Guy Berryman they formed an early version of the group under the name Starfish, later renamed Coldplay.

Coldplay released their debut album Parachutes in 2000. The record produced popular singles including "Shiver," "Trouble," and "Yellow," and achieved multi-platinum sales in several territories. The album also earned recognition from the recording industry and helped establish Coldplay’s international profile. The band followed with A Rush of Blood to the Head in 2002, which continued their commercial and critical momentum and brought further awards.

Alongside his work with Coldplay, Martin has pursued collaborative and solo vocal projects. Beginning in 2002 he recorded with other artists, lending his voice to tracks by Faultline, Ron Sexsmith, and Ian McCulloch. By the mid-2000s his profile as a vocalist saw him perform alongside a range of prominent musicians.

Public profile
Martin has long been a visible presence in popular culture. He and Coldplay have toured internationally and he has participated in high-profile performances and festivals. In 2006 he was named by PETA as the World’s Sexiest Vegetarian, a reflection of a period when he followed a vegetarian diet. He has also made appearances on television, including a guest spot on an episode of Modern Family.

Family and relationships
Martin married actress Gwyneth Paltrow on 5 December 2003. The couple had two children: a daughter, Apple Blythe Alison Martin, born on 14 May 2004, and a son, Moses Bruce Anthony Martin, born on 8 April 2006. The couple announced their separation in March 2014 and their divorce was finalized on 14 July 2016.

Martin is known to maintain close friendships within the entertainment world; one noted friendship is with actor Simon Pegg. He and Jonny Buckland serve as godparents within their circle of family and friends.

Personal details and interests
Martin’s listed physical attributes include a height of approximately 186 cm (about 6'1") and blue eyes with medium blond hair. He has expressed musical tastes that include bands such as U2 and Take That and has named Richard Ashcroft and Morten Harket among admired vocalists. Arsenal is noted as his favorite football club. His early life and education in classical languages remain an often-cited element of his background.

Latest updates
In 2016 Martin performed at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai, India, an appearance that featured many Indian artists and drew public attention. He has continued to collaborate with other musicians and take part in diverse musical projects throughout his career.

Editorial Review and Sources

This F4U profile is written from publicly available career and profile information, then reviewed for clarity before publication. If you spot an outdated detail about Chris Martin (Coldplay), send the page URL and a reliable correction source to f4udotin@gmail.com.

Reference context: StarsUnfolded
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Recent Work

Parachutes

Debut album with Coldplay, released in 2000; included singles "Shiver," "Trouble," and "Yellow" and achieved multi-platinum sales.

2000
A Rush of Blood to the Head

Coldplay’s second album, released in 2002, which won multiple awards and expanded the band’s international success.

2002
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Career Highlights

  1. Formed early bands at school and university that evolved into Coldplay
  2. Released breakthrough debut album Parachutes (2000) with multi-platinum sales
  3. Followed up with A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002), earning further awards
  4. Collaborated with other artists as a guest vocalist beginning in 2002
  5. Performed at major international events including the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai (2016)
Reviewed by F4U Editorial Desk

F4U profile pages are prepared from public career information, checked for readability, and updated when reliable correction sources are shared with the editorial team.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Chris Martin (Coldplay) born?

Chris Martin (Coldplay) was born on 2 March 1977.

What is Chris Martin (Coldplay) known for?

Chris Martin (Coldplay) is known for singer, Songwriter, Musician, Record Producer, Philanthropist.

What is Chris Martin (Coldplay)’s marital status?

Chris Martin (Coldplay)'s marital status is listed as Divorced.

Who is Chris Martin (Coldplay) married to?

Chris Martin (Coldplay) is publicly listed as married to Gwyneth Paltrow.