Adultery is rife, says Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow claims "three dudes" would be left in the world if unfaithful men were punished with a deadly virus.

In her new movie Contagion, Paltrow plays an adulterous wife who unwittingly brings back a lethal virus to America.

In real life, the actress has been married to Coldplay singer Chris Martin for almost eight years and the pair have two children together. Paltrow is happy to have found such a good husband, but knows many guys who have cheated.

"Life is complicated and long and I know people that I respect and admire and look up to who have had extra-marital affairs," she said at the Venice Film Festival.

"It's like we're flawed - we're human beings and sometimes you make choices that other people are going to judge.

"That's their problem but I really think that the more I live my life the more I learn not to judge people for what they do. I think we're all trying our best but life is complicated.

"If death by virus was a punishment for extra-marital affairs there would only be three dudes left in this world right now."

Paltrow counts herself lucky to have two "fantastic" children - Apple, seven, and five-year-old Moses. She also paid tribute to her rocker husband, revealing she is a huge fan of Coldplay's new album.

"I'm lucky - I have a wonderful, blessed life. I have two fantastically delightful children and a very nice husband, so knock on wood," she laughed.

"I listen to Coldplay around the house when my husband's not there. I've heard the new album, it's incredible. It's different and it's amazing. It's exciting. I'm excited for him."

The 38-year-old actress says becoming a mother has transformed her life. Paltrow shares a close bond with her kids and thanks them for changing her outlook.

"Family, 100 per cent. My family is everything to me," she replied when asked what the most important thing in her life is.

"I think before you have children your focus is on yourself and you think, 'Oh what am I going to be? Where am I going to live? What am I going to do?'

"And then you have children and they and their happiness, safety and security become the focus of your life. I just feel very lucky that I have them because they have completely given me a real life."

- AAP