Dakota Johnson & Chris Martin Call It Quits After Nearly 8 Years

Sometimes even the most private love stories come to an unexpected end.

Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin have officially ended their nearly eight-year relationship, marking what sources describe as a final conclusion to their on-and-off romance. Multiple insiders confirmed the split to People, with one stating, “It feels final this time.”

The 35-year-old actress and 48-year-old Coldplay frontman first connected romantically in 2017, building a relationship that largely stayed out of the public eye. Their last public appearance together occurred just two weeks before news of the breakup emerged, when photographers captured them during an outing in Malibu on May 16.

The couple’s relationship timeline included several separations and reunions over the years. As recently as August 2024, when breakup rumors surfaced, Johnson’s representative firmly denied the claims, stating that the pair were “happily together,” according to People. At that time, sources emphasized their commitment despite past challenges, noting they were “balancing things the best they can.”

A Long Engagement Comes to an End

The duo had maintained an engagement that lasted several years, though they kept their wedding plans deliberately low-key. Sources revealed to OK Magazine in March 2024 that Johnson and Martin “got engaged years ago but were in no rush to get married.” Engagement speculation first began in December 2020 when Johnson was photographed wearing a diamond ring. Neither confirmed the news publicly at the time.

Their relationship extended beyond just the couple, as Johnson formed meaningful connections with Martin’s family. She developed a close bond with his children, Apple, 21, and Moses, 19, whom he shares with ex-wife Gwyneth Paltrow. “I love those kids like my life depends on it. With all my heart,” Johnson shared with Bustle.

Johnson also expressed deep admiration for Martin’s musical talents, telling the outlet, “I love watching him. I could watch him every day. I don’t know how to explain it. I feel like, I don’t know… I’m watching my most favorite being do his most favorite thing.”

Moving Forward Separately

The split comes as both stars continue focusing on their respective careers. Johnson is currently movie is set to hit theaters on June 13. During recent interviews about the project, she shared thoughtful perspectives on modern relationships.

“For a long time we’ve all been so quick to judge relationships or how they should happen, how they should exist in the world. When people should get married. Divorce is bad. All these things that actually, if you think about it, why is divorce bad?” Johnson told the Los Angeles Times in an interview published June 4. Meanwhile, Martin continues his music career with Coldplay. The band recently completed tour dates in India, where the former couple was last photographed together in January.

Despite the end of their romantic relationship, both stars maintain connections to their shared extended family, particularly through Martin’s children and his positive co-parenting relationship with Paltrow.