Natalie Portman is preparing to file for divorce from Benjamin Millepied despite her attempts to “make it work” after her estranged husband was accused of cheating on him with a climate activist 21 years his junior, insiders claim.
The Black Swan actress, 42, this week seemingly confirmed the end of her 11-year marriage to the choreographer, 46, during an interview with WSJ Magazine in which she made no mention of him, while revealing she lives in Paris with their two children . .
The apparent confession came days after she flew solo to the Golden Globes, and just weeks after she was once again photographed without her wedding ring.
The actress has reportedly been taking time to ‘process and heal’ and is trying to figure out the best way to handle a divorce for their children Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, six, before officially filing.
Natalie Portman plans to file for divorce from her estranged husband, Benjamin Millepied, following cheating allegations last year, an insider claims to DailyMail.com
The couple (pictured in 2022) met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror Black Swan, for which he choreographed. They married in 2012
“Natalie and Benjamin tried to make it work, but she simply couldn’t get past his cheating,” an insider exclusively told DailyMail.com.
‘A divorce is in the works, but nothing has been filed yet. However, they divorced and she lives in Paris, while Benjamin continues to work in the US.
“They figure out what’s best for their kids because they both love them so much and are great parents.”
The insider added, “Natalie needed time to process and heal and those around her know how strong she is as a woman and how committed she is to her goals, including female empowerment.
“No woman should tolerate a cheating husband. She’s been private about it because that’s who she is.”
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Natalie and Benjamin for comment.
Natalie and Benjamin’s marriage was rocked by cheating allegations last year when French newspaper Voici released an explosive report claiming he 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.”
Natalie, 44, attended the 81st Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday without her husband
She told WSJ. Magazine that she lives in Paris with her two children, without mentioning her allegedly unfaithful husband
“He knows he made a huge mistake and he is doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together,” a source told the publication.
‘Natalie is incredibly private and has no intention of publicizing this in the media. Her biggest priority is protecting her children and their privacy.”
However, in early August, an insider told Us Weekly that the couple split after failing to repair their relationship amid the cheating allegations.
“After news of his affair broke, they tried to work on their marriage but are currently on the run,” the source said at the time.
However, someone close to the mother-of-two told DailyMail.com days later that reports of their marriage ending were just ‘rumours’ and ‘speculation’ – and that no final decision had been made.
They said Natalie ‘still doesn’t know’ whether she wants a divorce, despite rumors of his infidelity leaving her feeling ‘powerless’.
According to an insider, Natalie and Benjamin are formulating a plan to raise their two children as best as possible
Natalie and Benjamin left Paris with their two children in September. They looked tense as they left their apartment and escorted them to school
“(Natalie) hates that (Benjamin’s) infidelity makes her feel powerless,” the source said at the time.
‘She doesn’t know whether she can regain her power by staying with him or by leaving him. It’s really a struggle to have to keep dealing with it.’
But the source insisted that Natalie and the French dancer are still “really in love” “deep down” and are trying to work out their issues.
The couple met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror film Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer.
The now estranged couple 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.