Natalie Portman and ex Benjamin Millepied ‘focused on being the best co-parents’ to their two children – as friend says split was ‘initially really tough’ on actress

Now that Natalie Portman and her ex-husband Benjamin Millepied are officially ending their marriage, they want to be the “best co-parents they can be” to their two children.

A friend of the couple shed light on their divorce Peoplerevealing how they prioritized their children during the split – and how the divorce was ‘initially very tough’ for Portman.

Portman’s divorce from Millepied, 46, was finalized in France last month after she quietly filed to end the union in July, a rep for the couple confirmed to People. The exes share son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven.

“Her biggest priority is ensuring a smooth transition for her children,” the friend explained of 42-year-old Portman.

“She and Ben truly love their children and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.’

The friend also revealed that it was “really tough initially” for Portman in the early days of her divorce, but her supportive friends “helped her through the worst of it.”

The friend explained that the actress is now on “the other side” of a difficult year and is “stronger.” She now finds “joy in her family, friends and work.”

Portman quietly filed to end the union in July and the divorce was finalized in France, a rep for the actress confirmed People. The family lives in France.

The split came after it was alleged that Millepied had cheated on Portman with a woman 21 years his junior.

Last year French outlet Voici released an explosive report claiming that Millepied had an affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Étienne.

People magazine reported at the time that the romance with Camille was “short-lived” — and that Benjamin “did everything he could” to “make Natalie forgive him and keep their family together.”

Portman made light of her marital problems in the 30th annual Hollywood issue of Vanity fair magazine.

When the May-December actress was asked how she felt about her marriage being written about, she said it was “terrible.” She added, “It’s horrible, and I don’t feel like contributing to it.”

Portman’s 11-year marriage to Millepied is now over after the actress quietly filed for divorce from her husband last year

A friend of the couple shared with People how the exes remain committed to prioritizing their children as they officially part ways

Portman and Millepied married in 2012 and share two children together: son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven. The family lives in France

In a January WJ In an interview, she seemed to quietly confirm their separation when she talked about life in Paris with her two children, but she made no mention of Millepied, which was the biggest hint yet that they are no longer living together.

Last month, the duo reunited when they were pictured with their two children during a lunch outing in Los Angeles.

The Academy Award-winning actress did not appear to be wearing her wedding ring.

The Star Wars alum has been spotted without her wedding ring several times since the cheating allegations were first made public, including during her solo appearance on the Golden Globes red carpet in January.

Portman and Millepied met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror film Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer; pictured 2022

This weekend, Portman announced her book club pick for March: Nora Ephron’s autobiographical novel “Heartburn,” based on her marriage and divorce to second husband Carl Bernstein after his affair.

The divorce news comes after Portman unveiled the newest selection in her book club: a novel about the impact of a cheating husband.

This weekend, Portman announced her book club pick for March: Nora Ephron’s autobiographical novel “Heartburn,” based on her marriage and divorce to second husband Carl Bernstein after his affair.

‘Excited to finally read Nora Ephron’s Heartburn, her classic transformation of pain into humorous art. I look forward to hearing what you all think! #MarchBookPick @natsbookclub,” Natalie wrote in the caption of her post.

Portman and Millepied met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror film Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer.

The now-exes got engaged in 2010 and married in 2012 in Big Sur, California.

Benjamin also worked on the choreography for Natalie’s dark musical drama film Vox Lux in 2018, in which she played a woman who survives a school shooting only to become a pop star.