Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied separate and finalize divorce after affair rumors

Famous

By Stephanie Webber

Natalie Portman is single.

The Oscar-winning actress and her ex-husband, Benjamin Millepied, quietly separated last year and have already finalized their divorce, her rep confirms. People.

Portman, 42, filed the lawsuit last July and the divorce was finalized last month in France, where Portman and Millepied, 46, live with their children, Aleph, 12, and Amalia, 7.

The news comes a year after rumors emerged that Millepied had had an affair with climate activist Camille Étienne, who was 25 at the time. “It was short-lived and it was over,” a source told People in June 2023. They remained together at the time despite their “huge mistake.”

Amid the scandal, Millepied was “doing everything he could to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together,” while Portman’s “top priority” was “protecting her children and their privacy.”

The situation, however, was not easy for the actress.

“At first it was very difficult for her, but her friends supported her and helped her get through the worst,” a friend of the couple told the outlet.

“Natalie is coming out of a really difficult and painful year, but she has come out stronger and is finding joy in her family, her friends and her work.”

The friend added: “Natalie hoped her marriage would last forever, but she is at peace with where they are and is now focused on their new normal as a family.”

The “May Dec” star hasn’t been seen wearing her wedding ring since last spring.

“Their biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for their children,” the source continued. “She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents possible. Nothing is more important.”

Portman was recently asked about the rumors surrounding her marriage in a profile for Vanity Fair’s annual Hollywood issue.

“It’s terrible and I have no desire to contribute to it,” he bluntly told the publication.

The exes have been keeping busy while navigating their split. Portman made the public rounds for her Netflix film “May Dec” and is currently filming “Fountain of Youth,” directed by Guy Ritchie. Millepied, meanwhile, was the choreographer of “Dune: Part Two.”

Portman and the director and choreographer met on the set of the 2010 film “Black Swan.” She would win the Oscar for Best Actress for her role.

The couple celebrated their 10th anniversary in August 2022. “Ten years today @benjaminmillepied, and it just keeps getting better…” Portman captioned a celebratory Instagram post.

However, her social media activity was strikingly different, just days before her divorce was publicly confirmed.

“I’m excited to finally read Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, her classic transformation of grief into humorous art. We look forward to hearing what everyone thinks! #MarchBookPick @natsbookclub,” he captioned a Instagram photo of herself. with the autobiographical novel on March 1.

The book is about infidelity and a marriage that is falling apart.