Gwyneth Paltrow on Why She Went to Trial in Ski Crash Case: I ‘Believe in Fighting for What’s Right’ (Exclusive)

Gwyneth Paltrow believes in standing up for what is right.

In this week’s issue of PEOPLE magazine, the Goop founder talks about her family and career, plus the “really intense” year she’s had amid the launch of her company’s latest venture: good.clean.goop, a new line of skin, body and wellness products available at Target and Amazon.

Adding to her headline-grabbing year was her skiing accident trial: In March, Paltrow, 51, found herself in Park City, Utah, debating who was at fault in a 2016 skiing accident between her and retired optometrist Terry Sanderson. years. He initially sued, seeking millions of dollars in damages, and she countersued, seeking $1.

The jury ultimately sided with Paltrow, finding that she was not responsible and that Sanderson, 71, was at fault.

Colina Rentmeester / Trunk Archive

“I found myself in that situation and it was very important to me to go there and try to do the right thing,” she tells PEOPLE.

Paltrow says her priority was to remain “calm” during her testimony and during the civil trial, which was televised live. “I didn’t want to attract more attention. I wanted it to be about the truth coming out,” she explains.

“That’s what I kind of focused on,” Paltrow says, adding, “It was an intense experience. I kept telling myself, in life, if you believe in God or the universe or whatever, I believe that we’re always right there where we should be. And we don’t have to understand it.”

Gwyneth Paltrow on Marriage, Her ‘Intensive Year’ and Life in the ‘Faltrow’ Mixed Residence (Exclusive)

The Oscar winner said in a statement immediately after the verdict that she “feels that acquiescing to a false allegation has compromised my integrity” and said she is “satisfied with the outcome.” At the time, her attorney added that the actress “has a history of standing up for what she believes in — this situation was no different and she will continue to stand up for what’s right.”

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Gwyneth Paltrow, PHOTO: Colina Rentmeester / Trunk Archive.

Colina Rentmeester / Trunk Archive

Paltrow tells PEOPLE, “I really believe in fighting for what’s right” — a trait that comes with being a Libra, she says.

“But I think when things came up in my life where something was outrageous and there was an opportunity to try to change the culture around that for women, I kind of got involved.”

Although she took it upon herself to speak out when she felt compelled, Paltrow admits that “it’s not the responsibility of women in the public eye to do anything.”

At the same time, “For some reason, I personally feel that I have a responsibility to try to continue to move the culture in this way, that women should be respected, women should be safe… Women should feel empowered to express themselves and their opinions and women should be allowed to progress.”

“It’s important to me, so I keep doing it,” she says.

For more on Gwyneth Paltrow, pick up this week’s issue PEOPLEon newsstands on Friday.

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Source: HIS Education