Gwyneth Paltrow has defended her decision to fight her $300,000 ski accident dispute, despite being able to easily afford the settlement out of her $200 million fortune.
The Oscar-winning actress said that settling the case would have compromised her “integrity,” which is why she took it to court in a statement posted to her Instagram story Thursday night.
In doing so, the usually divisive Paltrow, 50, won over a legion of fans who were impressed by her principles, with some even coining the hashtag “#gwynnocent.”
The Oscar-winning actress walked out of court triumphantly after winning the bitter case against retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, who claimed a skiing collision with the actress in 2016 left him with four broken ribs and permanent brain damage.
It came after eight days of live-streamed courtroom testimony that drew audiences from around the world and inspired a slew of memes from Paltrow, who constantly seemed unimpressed.
Paltrow has defended her decision to fight her $300,000 ski accident dispute, despite being able to easily afford the settlement out of her $200 million fortune. She is pictured leaving court tonight.
Paltrow won over a legion of fans who were impressed by her principality during the trial, with some even coining the hashtag ‘#gwynnocent’
Retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, 76, claimed the 2016 skiing collision with the actress left him with four broken ribs and permanent brain damage.
But critics questioned why Paltrow didn’t pay the sum, which is a small fraction of her net worth.
Taking to her Instagram stories following the jury’s decision, she explained: ‘I felt that accepting a false claim compromised my integrity.
“I am pleased with the outcome and appreciate all of the hard work of Judge Holmberg and the jury, and I thank them for their consideration in handling this case.”
Paltrow has a net worth of around $200 million, according to Cosmopolitan.
Much of his wealth is fueled by his Goop wellness empire, which alone is valued at $250 million.
After winning the lawsuit, Sanderson owes Paltrow just a dollar, who must also pay her legal fees.
Attorney Bradford Hardin was among those who questioned why Paltrow did not pay Sanderson the $300,000 fee and avoided the media circus of attending court.
He wrote on Twitter this week: ‘Why is Gwyneth Paltrow, worth $200 million, spending her time taking a $300k claim throughout the trial?
‘Isn’t paying $300k and doing literally anything else a better use of time and money?’
But others praised Paltrow for the unusual move.
Journalist Billy Binion said: ‘I found out today that Gwyneth Paltrow, whose net worth is $200 million, is suing the skier for $1.
‘That’s *one* dollar. A level of meanness to which we should all aspire.
Meanwhile, MailOnline comment writer Dan Wootton wrote that he felt the actress had been “totally sewn up”.
He added: “While I appreciate that there isn’t a lot of sympathy for the actress, believe it or not, she is standing up for an important point of principle: innocent people.”
He echoed a sentiment outlined by his lawyers, who said he had shown ‘courage’ to attend the trial where he had become a ‘punching bag’.
The sensational case centered on a 2016 collision at the Deer Valley compound in Utah in which plaintiff Sanderson alleges Paltrow struck him from behind.
Paltrow posted a statement on her Instagram story on Thursday night.
Gwyneth Paltrow was seen touching Terry Sanderson’s shoulder, whispering “I wish you the best” before triumphantly walking out of court after winning a case against the retired optometrist who claimed she caused a skiing accident in 2016.
He maintained that it was he who slithered up to her.
It originally claimed damages of $3.1 million, but this was later reduced to $300,000.
Sanderson slept with Paltrow for much of the trial, at one point even seeming to compare her to the late pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The jury deliberated for two hours and 20 minutes Thursday before deciding that Sanderson was responsible for the accident.
As she left court, Paltrow was seen touching her shoulder as she whispered “I wish you well.”
The actress smiled and waved at photographers as she left court, but declined to comment.
Paltrow’s attorney read a statement from the actress outside of court.
Owens said: ‘We are pleased with the outcome and appreciate the consideration of the judge and jury. Gwyneth has a history of standing up for what is right and this situation is no different. She will continue to stand up for what is right.’
Meanwhile, a deflated Sanderson said he stands by his version of events, despite losing the case.
Paltrow’s lawyer said she had shown ‘courage’ to attend the trial where she had become a ‘punching bag’.
When asked what he plans to do next, he quipped, “Maybe Disneyland!”
Speaking outside court, Sanderson’s attorney, Kristin Van Orman, said she was not impressed by Paltrow, adding: “I’ve been a lawyer for 30 years and juries never surprise me.”
Of Sanderson, she added: “He’s in pain, he’s a very nice man.”