Jennifer Aniston reveals all about love, life, babies and being fab at 40

Birthday girl Jen reveals all about love, life, babies & being fab at 40

ON BRAD: My split was the hardest thing I ever went through

ON VINCE: I call him my defibrillator

ON JOHN: I deeply care about John. We adore one another

By Georgina Dickinson, 08/02/2009

HOLLYWOOD stunner Jennifer Aniston hits 40 this week and today she kicks off the celebrations with a string of revelations on all the men in her life.

In a sensational interview the Friends legend shares her dreams of having babies soon with her new love rockstar JOHN MAYER-who finally helped mend her broken heart after her failed marriage to BRAD PITT.

Before an early birthday party yesterday Jennifer admitted: "My split with Brad was the hardest thing I ever went through. But it made me strong, superhuman. Now I'm turning 40 and I'm very excited. When they say youth is wasted on the young, it's so true.

"Oh my God, what I wish I'd known when I was 30!"

And Jennifer openly admitted that when it comes to men she has been right through the catalogue.

"Over the years I've gone for each type of man," she said.

"The rough guy, the nerdy, sweet, lovable type, the slick guy. Men in general are a good thing, I think-as long as they're not crazy!"

Eager to share her joy at finding new love with John, nine years her junior, Jennifer added: "Being in love makes you happy. Definitely. I deeply, deeply care about John. We talk, we adore one another. And that's where it is.

Children

"Do I want to have children? I do, and I will. The women who inspire me are the ones who have families and children. Why would I want to limit myself? I want to have it all.

"I hope to be on the road to having a family and settling down. Ideally, I'd like a couple of kids, but who knows? I feel like that's in my future and I'm on the verge of it in some way. I'm going to have children. I just know it."

Not only was John at her side yesterday for the birthday bash behind the giant bronze doors of Jennifer's Thai-inspired Beverly Hills mansion, she was joined by her closest friends including Friends co-star Courteney Cox, 44, and 46-year-old singer Sheryl Crow.

On the big day itself- Wednesday-Jennifer and John will be away on a romantic break. But she splashed a fortune to make the party a success with thousands of white flowers plus special plates and crystal glasses jokily engraved '40 is the new 30'!

And Jennifer means it. She revealed the milestone age holds no dread for her and explained: "I had more of a panic going into 30. You realise that it just gets better. I have my health, I have my friends, I have my loved ones. I'm extremely lucky.

t know what it means

"I'm not saying I'm 40. I'm thirty-ten! I don't feel 40. I don't know what it means. At this stage my life doesn't have the traditional framework-the husband, the two kids and the house in Connecticut. It's MY experience. I feel good. I don't feel like I'm supposed to be any further along. . . I'm right where I'm supposed to be."

And she insists that place is right alongside hunky 'Your Body Is A Wonderland' singer John, despite his reputation as something of a womaniser. The couple were first linked last April and rumours are rife John may even use Jennnifer's birthday to propose.

But she coyly refuses to comment on that. Instead she said of her unlikely romance with John: "People need to mind their own business. Did you ever think Claudia Schiffer and David Copperfield made sense? Did Susan Anton and Dudley Moore make sense?"Love isn't designed. Love just shows up and you go, 'Wow, this is going to be a ride and a half!'

Loved

"In a man I look for a friend, someone who is an equal and with whom I'm comfortable. I want to be loved, happy and not settle for something less.

"We only have one life and we're here for such a short time, so you'd better have a blast with the person you're with. I'm a very lucky girl and I like to seize my moments.

"But I feel seriously protective of John and us. He's a wonderful guy. We care about each other.

"And I had no idea what an extraordinary musician he is. It's just great to sit and be witness to that.

"He's a rare one. He is extraordinary and it's wonderful to watch him. . . beautiful. We love just being able to go to a great restaurant, have a great conversation and walk on a beach"

Glowing Jennifer's newfound joy for life comes after years of heartache.

In January 2005 her world came crashing round her when her marriage to movie heart-throb Brad, now 45, ended after he met Angelina Jolie, with whom he now has six children.

Jennifer and Brad had been considered a rare Hollywood success story when they married with a lavish ceremony in Malibu on July 29, 2000. Their wedding vows even included a pledge from Jennifer to always make her husband's favourite banana milkshake.

Love

When it all fell apart it was a dark period which for a long time Jennifer was unable to discuss. But now she feels comfortable enough to look back and recall: "We had so much fun falling in love. It was so private. We kept it to ourselves for so long.

"It was something we were really proud of. We were put on a pedestal, but we were just a couple like anybody else. I really thought I'd be with him for the rest of my life.

"It was a beautiful, complicated relationship. The sad thing, for me, is the way it's been reduced to a Hollywood cliché. But I don't regret any of it.

"The marriage didn't work out but pretty soon after we separated, we got on the phone and we had a long, long conversation and said a lot of things.

"And ever since we've been unbelievably warm and respectful of each other.

"Whoever said everything has to be forever? That's setting your hopes too high. It's too much pressure. I still feel so lucky to have experienced it. I wouldn't know what I know now if I hadn't been married to Brad.

"I love Brad. I really love him and I will love him for the rest of my life.

"We've exchanged a few very kind 'hellos' and 'wishing you wells' and 'love and congratulations on your babies'. I have nothing but absolute admiration for him, and I'm proud of him. I think he's really done some amazing things."

Date

Jennifer went on to date funnyman actor VINCE VAUGHN, 38, in the summer of 2005.

They fell in love on the set of The Break-Up and were together for a year.

But Jennifer remains positive about that failed romance too. "I call Vince my defibrillator," she said. "He literally brought me back to life. My first gasp of air was a big laugh. It was great. I love him. He's a bull in a china shop. He was lovely and fun and perfect for the time we had together. I needed that. And it sort of ran its course."

Now three years on, it seems Jennifer is finally lucky in love, although she has her own take on that, too.

She insisted: "This whole 'Poor lonely Jen' thing, this idea that I'm so unlucky in love? I actually feel I've been unbelievably LUCKY in love. I feel good. At the moment, I think I'm doing really well. There were times when I had a little 'pity party' for myself, sure there were. Absolutely. Who wouldn't?

"When your parents split up like mine did, it's impossible to delude yourself about a fairy tale romance and happy endings.

"Divorce is hard and you deal with your parents fighting through you. I want to do it differently from my parents. I think that taught me that life isn't always perfect and gave me a realistic approach to life and marriage, which I value.

"I learned what not to do by watching my parents. I watched my mother be very bitter and angry throughout a divorce, never let it go and waste the whole second half of her life.

"It's easy to blame and be victimised, but that's just a waste of time.

"So every day I just concentrate on being the happiest I can possibly be."

Your comments

This article has 23 comments

I think any woman over 21 who acts like a teen is pathetic. That's too old. Ppl should act their age.

By k.. Posted April 4 2009 at 11:11 PM.

I love Jen. She is beautiful on the outside and inside and is an inspiration to everyone when she says you should just enjoy your life, and i agree. She always seems to find the good in things and is always positive. Happy birthday!

By Kathryn.. Posted March 1 2009 at 8:36 PM.

Happy Birthday Jennifer from another nearly 30 10 girl, take care luv Juliexx

By Julie.. Posted February 14 2009 at 8:30 AM.

Jen!!! You're great, absolutely amazing person, who is admired all over the world - i am writing from Poland. Everyone wish you only hapiness, Brad and You should be together forever, I understand your feelings very well. Angelina is just some kind of pretty woman, she is a mother of six, she makes acceptable movies- i do nor watch her movies because I will never understand her bevaviour and what she did to You. You're like a rose from Elton John song, you are somebody who I will always admire and love like a BBF.I am an Aquarius as well as You, I think that I understand your feelings, you gave me a hope and it's a huge pleasure to watch you on screen. O!!! You look great - better than ever, You look 20 !!!!!!! Best wishes

By Emilia.. Posted February 13 2009 at 8:24 PM.

Happy birthday honey.long-life and prosperity! U deserve to be happy! U're a role model! I love u...so much! U deserve to settle down...and raise luvly family! But dont rush...into marryin someone u dnt love deeply...please dnt rush! I luv u!!

By Albert Dotun.. Posted February 13 2009 at 6:41 AM.

Good on you Jen, from another soon to be 30+ girl.

I still don't like that Jolie after what she did to you!!

By Jane. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:53 AM.
--------------------------------------------
Jolie did nothing to Aniston. Pitt did.

By Freya.. Posted February 13 2009 at 2:36 AM.

All I can say is Jennifer Aniston is the most inspriational woman in the WORLD!! I adore her and still think even at 40 she has a lot going for her.

good on ya jen. x

By Shell.. Posted February 12 2009 at 6:00 PM.

I think she sould take a chance on this relationship, life is short, and it is also about taking risks , who knows maybe John will make her very very happy, it is her choice, and she has taken her time before she made it clear that they were together, as she said, without the pain of devorce Jen would not be who she is today, a survivor, and one that still holds the fact that love is still possible, I not only think she learbed so much from her breakup with Brad, she is also a great role model of how to deal with a break up that is painful, she kept her looks, and her figure, and she went forward, onto the next experiance, and with much gusto about having love and friendship in her life, no matter what life threw her way.
By the way.
Happy belated Birthday to you Jen, you look fantastic, and anyone that does end up with you is very fortunate indeed.

By Deborah vonSaldern.. Posted February 11 2009 at 6:28 PM.

I love you, Jen!
Thanks for being Rachel for 10 years!
You rock!
and 40 is the new 30! At least you look better than most 30 year olds out there!

By me!.. Posted February 9 2009 at 10:51 PM.

I think jen is great, she is an amazing actress i one day i hope i can be like her.Happy Birthday for yesterday!hope u had a great day.i watch friends all the time, i have got them all on dvd.i sometimes wish my life was like that because i just love it how you are all great mates and you do everything together.so everyone who thinks jen is is in the wrong and stuff, she isnt so leave her alone.i wish i can grow up like jen and get on to loads of films like her (something like friends because thats is well good) and everybody know me.

p.s. is there a website or something where you can actually talk to jen about stuff.because i would really like to ask her what i can do to get on films like she did and stuff.she's my role model! <---------------------------- PLEASE ANSWER THIS!

By Catherine Blackett.. Posted February 9 2009 at 4:04 PM.

Good to see you happy again Jen, hope John is not bailing on you at some point in life, I have always been a fan of you thanks to friends, you r the wittiest brilliant comedian, dont worry too much about children if it doesnt happen, you already done enough by entertaining not only me but children as well in the entire universe BAFANO in SOUTH AFRICA

By Bafano.. Posted February 9 2009 at 2:59 PM.

She contradicts herself all over the place when you take everything she has said in this article and in others, all direct quotes. Wish she's make up her mind.
She claimed to want to settle and have kids after Friends, and when Friends ended, she signed not just one but seven movie deals, clearly stating what her priorities were, so Brad found the family he always wanted with someone who wanted it as much as he did. I am glad Jen has now found her happiness, after all that, tho.

By Peter Stanford.. Posted February 9 2009 at 5:21 AM.

Here we go again...is she still harping on about loving Brad forever? She split up with him cos their marriage had been dead in the water LONG BEFORE they parted as both wanted different things! They had an amicable split in JAN 2005 and Brad then got together with someone who did want the same things as him. End of. Now Jen, who claims to like her relationships to be soooo private, is blabbing/gushing over a truly untrustworthy 'player' 10 years her junior who will use her for his own gain. It will all end in tears..and divorce..again!

By Jabine.. Posted February 9 2009 at 1:54 AM.

Jen,
Please my advice for you is don't let love get to your head, you're no more getting younger ok! the idea of you and John spliting today reuniting tomorrow is a little bite of concern, please Jen if John is not right for you quitely leave him on time and stop waisting your precious time with him, you'll soon be 40. enjoy your 40th birthday. God bless you.

By Emmanuel.. Posted February 8 2009 at 11:51 PM.

One day that skank Angelina will leave Brad for the next man who catches her interest. If he tries to go back to Jen I hope she slams his head on the door on his way out.

By Sydney.. Posted February 8 2009 at 9:16 PM.

I enjoyed reading that, i thought Jen and Brad were the perfect couple and wish they were still together. Its nice that her and Brad are amicable with each other

By leanne.. Posted February 8 2009 at 3:45 PM.

I salute you jen, an amazing woman like you is really makes us all proud......go lady do what is the best and makes you happy, being with someone you like or love is not a waste of time eventhough the man you love right now will not be your husband or might be....but dont lose hope, the real man for you will come on the right time even you become old and there is no rules that when you became old you have to stop loving someone....but if nobody comes its just the will of god and we can't break that and we have to accept everything that comes to us good or bad but you're lucky coz you have everything and also just always look all the things or someone which are less fortunate than you they might have children but they can't feed them, they have husband but they are beating their wife or hurting their feelings all the time at least, you dont have anything to bother you,,, at least jen, you know what will happen to you in early time of your marrriage its more difficult if you had children with your ex then he found another one coz your child will suffer too much...think god is really good to you so dont waste it and always be happy the people who hurts you are the people who dont have peace of mind and until now they are envy to you.

By amna.. Posted February 8 2009 at 3:53 PM.

i love jen she is the best i watch friends all the time she would be the best mum ever and the cool

By savannah (11).. Posted February 8 2009 at 4:40 PM.

Happy birthday Jen!You are are beautiful person and wishing you the best in life.

By Jen4ever.. Posted February 8 2009 at 3:24 PM.

I'm always suspicious of Hollywood actors that feel the need to "gush" about the one they're with in interviews...nine times out of ten it usually means that the relationship isn't as solid or as "wonderful" as they intimate it to be...and Jennifer Aniston is a beautiful woman...but enough already in mentioning your ex in every interview...yes we all know he was an important part of your life but...the time has now come to move on...Brad most definitely has and, from the looks of things,...he aint coming back!

By Ali Sichilongo.. Posted February 8 2009 at 12:23 PM.

Good on you Jen, from another soon to be 30+ girl.

I still don't like that Jolie after what she did you you!!

By Jane.. Posted February 8 2009 at 10:53 AM.

I Think she sounds like a lovely sensible woman.
Most females, including myself, would have punched Angelin Jolie's lights out, she flaunted her & Brad Pitt's life all over the press and is still doing it, She shoved every tiny bit of the affair in Miss Aniston's face, She is the one who needs to grow up and act like the mother of the growing brood she has. Jennifer has had it rough and now it seems she is finally on the up. You go girl

By Trisha.. Posted February 8 2009 at 5:29 AM.

I get so tired reading these interviews by Hollywood stars. They all say the same thing. Iread exactly the same comments on love, life etc. by Nicle Kidman. It must be a script that their publicists make them recite. Women over 40 who act and talk like teenagers. Grow Up!!!

By mary millar.. Posted February 7 2009 at 10:48 PM.

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