Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied finalise divorce after quietly separating last year

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied have announced their divorce after 11 years of marriage and two children.

According to People, the actress quietly filed for divorce from her husband last July and it was officially finalised last month in France, where the former couple lived with their children, Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, 7.

A representative for Portman confirmed the news to People.

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It follows months of persistent rumours that Millepied cheated on the actress in a “short-lived” affair with a 25-year-old climate activist, according to reports from French outlet Voici in June.

The actress, 42, stood by her husband, telling Vanity Fair of the rumours, “It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.”

The Star Wars actress was also spotted sans her wedding ring in recent appearances, including on a recent trip to Sydney, further stoking rumours of a separation.

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The pair first met on the set of Portman’s acclaimed film, Black Swan, where he directed her choreography.

The notoriously private actress gushed about first meeting Millepied, 45, during a SiriusXM Town Hall interview in 2018.

“I met my husband on it, so I think I was in, like, dreamland,” Portman recalled. “He was teaching me to dance. You know, one of those romantic [stories]…

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“It was definitely exciting and fun. It was beautiful. I don’t know about instant. It was like I really got to know him and that was when it seemed like, ‘Oh this is the person.’ “

A source told People that the former couple have been focused on making the transition easy for their young children, with the pair having been photographed together on numerous occasions last year.

“Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children,” the insider said. “She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.”

   

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