After 11 years of marriage, Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied have officially divorced—and while the split remained under the radar for months, the reasons behind it have now become clearer. At the heart of their quiet separation appears to be something that can upend even the strongest relationships: infidelity.
Although neither party has publicly confirmed it, reports of Millepied’s extramarital affair surfaced in May 2023 and were followed soon after by noticeable changes in Portman’s public demeanor, including the absence of her wedding ring. So, did Natalie Portman leave Benjamin Millepied over cheating? The evidence strongly suggests that the affair played a pivotal role in the unraveling of their marriage.
A Love Story That Began on Set
Portman and Millepied met in 2009 on the set of Black Swan, the psychological thriller that earned Portman an Academy Award for Best Actress. Millepied, a professional dancer and choreographer, was hired to design the film’s ballet sequences and train Portman for her physically demanding role. What began as a professional relationship blossomed into a romance, and by 2012, they were married in a private ceremony.
In interviews over the years, Portman often spoke fondly of their connection, once calling the experience of learning dance from Millepied “exciting and fun” in a 2018 SiriusXM interview. Their life together seemed like a fairy tale, with two kids—Aleph, now 12, and Amalia, 7—and a shared love of the arts. They lived a relatively low-key life in France, balancing high-profile careers with family life.
Cracks in the Foundation
The first public signs of trouble emerged in spring 2023, when Voici, a French magazine, reported that Millepied had engaged in a “short-lived” affair with a 25-year-old climate activist. W
hile Portman did not directly comment at the time, her public appearances began to shift. She attended multiple red carpet events alone—including the Cannes Film Festival and the Los Angeles premiere of her HBO docuseries Angel City. Her wedding ring, a once-permanent fixture, was notably missing.
Though Portman has always been intensely private, these visual cues—paired with swirling media speculation—painted a picture of a marriage in distress.
A source close to the couple confirmed to PEOPLE in June 2023 that Millepied was “doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together,” while Portman’s priority was “protecting her children and their privacy.”
Filing for Divorce
Despite efforts to reconcile, Portman quietly filed for divorce in July 2023. The news was not made public until eight months later, when PEOPLE confirmed that the divorce had been finalized in France in early 2024. According to a rep for Portman, the process was handled as discreetly as possible, with the couple choosing to keep their children’s well-being at the center of every decision.
A friend of the couple shared with PEOPLE that the actress went through a particularly “tough and painful year” but emerged stronger with the support of friends and loved ones.
“Natalie is coming out of a really tough and painful year but she’s come out the other side of it stronger and is finding joy in her family, friends and work,” the source added.
A United Front for Their Kids
Despite the emotional challenges, Portman and Millepied remained united in one major area: their children. Both have reportedly worked hard to ensure that Aleph and Amalia have experienced as smooth a transition as possible.
They’ve been seen out together with their kids on multiple occasions over the past year, even as the separation unfolded behind closed doors.
“Her biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children,” an insider told PEOPLE. “She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important.”
This commitment to co-parenting reflects a level of mutual respect and maturity, even in the face of heartbreak. It’s clear that for both Portman and Millepied, shielding their children from the storm of public scrutiny has remained a top concern.
Life After the Split
Since the separation, both Portman and Millepied have poured their energy into their careers. Millepied served as the choreographer on Dune: Part Two, a blockbuster hit starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Meanwhile, Portman has been involved in several projects, including her acclaimed performance in May December, which she promoted throughout 2023. She’s also working on a new film, Fountain of Youth, directed by Guy Ritchie, and preparing for the release of the limited TV series Lady in the Lake.
Beyond acting, Portman continues to be deeply involved with Angel City, the women’s soccer team she helped co-found. The team has become a cultural force, blending sports with activism and celebrity appeal.
Even amid her personal struggles, Portman has remained focused on her passions and professional responsibilities. In February 2024, she appeared at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, smiling and composed, showing the world that she’s moving forward.
Silence on the Rumors
Despite the extensive media coverage, neither Portman nor Millepied has publicly addressed the affair or the breakdown of their marriage. When asked about the speculation during a Vanity Fair interview in February 2024, Portman responded: “It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.”
Her refusal to engage publicly with the drama underscores how important privacy is to her—particularly when it comes to personal relationships. Still, the timeline and context of the divorce point toward the affair being a significant turning point in their relationship.
Closure and a New Chapter
Though Portman once believed her marriage would last forever, she’s now come to terms with its end. A friend told PEOPLE that she is “at peace with where they are and now focused on their new normal as a family.” That “new normal” involves co-parenting, career milestones, and healing after betrayal.
So, did Natalie Portman leave Benjamin Millepied over cheating? While neither has directly confirmed it, all signs—from the timing of her divorce filing to the affair reports and public distance—suggest that Millepied’s infidelity was the catalyst.
After trying to work things out privately, Portman ultimately made the difficult decision to move on. Though the end of any marriage is painful, especially after over a decade together, Portman appears to be navigating her next chapter with grace.
With supportive friends, thriving projects, and a strong bond with her children, she’s proving that even the most difficult endings can lead to powerful new beginnings.
