In a recent development that has caught the attention of fans and media alike, Hollywood actress Natalie Portman and her husband, Benjamin Millepied, have officially separated after being married for 11 years, as confirmed by Us Weekly. The split comes on the heels of news regarding an alleged affair involving Millepied, 46, which has reportedly put a strain on their relationship.
An exclusive insider source revealed that following the revelation of the affair, Portman, 42, and Millepied made efforts to salvage their marriage. However, their current status is marked by a period of separation. The couple shares two children – son Aleph, aged 12, and daughter Amalia, aged 6.
Prior to her marriage with Millepied, the Thor actress, one of the most famous Hollywood celebrities often made the headlines with news regarding her love life. Here are ten celebrities who made news for being romantically involved with Natalie Portman.
1. Lukas Haas
Back in 1998, rumors about Natalie Portman being romantically involved with American actor and musician Lukas Haas made headlines. Having met him on the sets of their film Everyone Says I Love You, the duo never confirmed their relationship. However, in one of her public appearances, Portman said that she and Haas were just good friends.
2. Hayden Christensen
While portraying the poignant roles of Padmé Amidala and Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman delivered a compelling portrayal of tragic lovers. The dating rumors initially surfaced in the early 2000s, when Christensen was cast as the young actors’ onscreen depiction of love led fans to wonder if genuine emotions were at play.
Christensen openly praised Portman during promotional press tours, acknowledging that he had developed a slight infatuation with her to enhance the authenticity of their onscreen relationship. However, he clarified that their connection remained that of “pretty good friends” after collaborating closely on set for several months.
3. Moby
The relationship between Natalie Portman and musician Moby garnered a lot of attention and speculation in the 2000s. Richard Melville Hall, also known as Moby claimed in his memoir, Then It Fell Apart, that he had briefly dated Portman in the early 2000s.
However, Portman later disputed his account, stating that she had found his behavior “inappropriate” and clarified that she was only 18 at the time, while Moby was in his 30s. The discrepancy and controversy surrounding their relationship raised discussions about age differences and power dynamics in Hollywood.
4. Gael García Bernal
Around 2003, speculations surrounding Mexican actor and producer Gael García Bernal dating Natalie Portman made headlines. Although no exact dates are known, it was reported that the duo met at a post-Oscars party. Even though the relationship was short-lived, reports suggest that the two once again got together around 2007 emerged. Some other reports indicated that the couple dated on and off throughout the late 2000s.
5. Andy Samberg
According to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly, the Black Swan actress was reportedly in a romantic relationship with Saturday Night Live star Andy Samberg in around 2006. The SNL comedian who had previously been linked to Kirsten Dunst, shared the screen with Portman during a memorable SNL episode in March 2006, where they collaborated on a humorous rap video that playfully poked fun at Portman’s ‘Little Miss Perfect’ image.
While many speculated that their connection reportedly developed after Portman’s split from her long-term on-and-off partner, Gael García Bernal, no official news of the relationship emerged in the media.
6. Jake Gyllenhaal
The Black Swan star was initially linked to Jake Gyllenhaal in 2002, as reported by E! News. However, their relationship only garnered attention in 2006. While her Marvel co-star, Gyllenhaal, maintained a private stance on their connection, their romance reportedly lasted a few months during that year. Interestingly, their bond endured beyond their romantic involvement, as they shared the screen in the 2009 film Brothers.
In a touching moment at the 2011 Desert Palm Achievement Award presentation for Portman’s outstanding performance in Black Swan,” Gyllenhaal recounted their unique origin story. He humorously recalled their first meeting at a Star Wars convention, where he anticipated Portman’s Oscar victory and joked about her signing his Queen Amidala doll, playfully hinting at its future value. Despite their relationship having run its course, Gyllenhaal showered Portman with praise, deeming her the “Audrey Hepburn of our generation.”
7. Nathaniel Philip Rothschild
In 2007, conspiracy reports emerged linking Natalie Portman to the Rothschild family, suggesting a romantic connection that intrigued many. Despite their ten-year age difference, rumors of their involvement surfaced after dinner at a London restaurant. According to The Daily Mail, Natalie and a female friend arrived in a chauffeured Audi, followed shortly by Nathaniel Philip Rothschild on foot. Although they were spotted on a few other occasions, any potential romance seemed short-lived, with no lasting developments emerging from their interactions.
8. Nathan Bogle
Moreover, in 2007, model Nathan Bogle found himself in the news with Natalie Portman. Their relationship, albeit brief, stirred interest among observers. Although details about the extent of their connection remained elusive, candid snapshots of the two together during casual outings were captured. However, like Portman’s other romantic endeavors, this liaison also concluded without public insight into the reasons.
9. Jude Law
Regarded among the regrettable choices in her romantic history, Jude Law holds a prominent place as a boyfriend Natalie Portman might have preferred to avoid. According to several media houses, Law allegedly allured Portman while they collaborated on the film Closer in 2004, lending a somewhat fitting backdrop to their connection. Notably, an age discrepancy of nine years separated them, a pattern evident in some of Portman’s other relationships, although not reaching the decade milestone.
10. Devendra Banhart
In 2008, Natalie Portman briefly dated the American-Venezuelan singer-songwriter Devendra Banhart. However, their romantic connection didn’t endure, and Banhart later expressed their continued friendship in an interview with Vulture, stating, “Very good terms. She’s one of my best friends. I love her super much. Super-much.” While a source informed US Weekly that their parting was attributed to their differences, the specifics of this divergence remained undisclosed.
