The fairy tale romance between Academy Award-winning actress Natalie Portman and French choreographer Benjamin Millepied Hollywood for over a decade. What began as an enchanting love story on the set of Black Swan ultimately ended in heartbreak, infidelity allegations, and a quietly finalized divorce that fans worldwide.
Their relationship seemed like something out of a movie script—a talented actress falling for her dance instructor while preparing for one of her most challenging roles. The couple’s whirlwind romance led to engagement, marriage, and two beautiful children. For years, they appeared to be one of Hollywood’s most stable couples, maintaining an intensely private lifestyle while supporting each other’s artistic endeavors.
However, beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect marriage, cracks began to show. In May 2023, explosive reports emerged about Millepied’s alleged extramarital affair with a young climate activist, through their relationship and the entertainment industry. The scandal marked the beginning of the end for their 11-year marriage.
Despite attempts to reconcile and save their family unit, the damage proved irreparable. Portman quietly filed for divorce in July 2023, and by February 2024, their marriage was officially dissolved in France, where they had been living with their children. The divorce proceedings were conducted with the same privacy that had characterized their entire relationship, leaving fans to piece together the timeline of their separation through subtle clues and rare public statements.
This comprehensive timeline explores the rise and fall of one of Hollywood’s most private couples, examining the key moments that defined their relationship and the factors that ultimately led to their separation.
The Beginning: A Black Swan Love Story (2009-2010)
The love story between Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied began in 2009 on the set of Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller Black Swan. Millepied, a former principal dancer with the New York City Ballet and co-founder of the L.A. Dance Project, was hired as the film’s choreographer to help Portman master the complex ballet sequences required for her role as Nina Sayers.
During a 2018 SiriusXM Town Hall interview, Portman fondly recalled their initial connection: “I met my husband on it, so I think I was in, like, dreamland. We had a whole, like, he was teaching me to dance. You know, one of those romantic [stories]…It was definitely exciting and fun. It was beautiful”. The actress described how their professional relationship gradually blossomed into something deeper as Millepied guided her through the demanding ballet training.
However, their romance wasn’t without controversy from the start. According to reports, Millepied was allegedly still living with another girlfriend when he began his relationship with Portman during the Black Swan production. This early relationship pattern would later prove prophetic, as the saying goes: “if they’ll cheat with you, they’ll probably cheat on you”.
Despite the questionable beginnings, their connection was undeniable. By the time filming wrapped, the couple was officially dating, and their relationship quickly became serious.
Engagement and Early Marriage (2010-2012)
The couple’s relationship moved at lightning speed. By December 2010, just months after Black Swan finished production, Portman and Millepied announced their engagement along with the exciting news that they were expecting their first child together. Their son, Aleph, was born in June 2011, adding a new dimension to their rapidly evolving relationship.
On August 4, 2012, Portman and Millepied tied the knot in an intimate, private ceremony in Big Sur, California. The oceanfront wedding was characteristically low-key, reflecting the couple’s preference for privacy. Portman wore a custom Rodarte gown for the occasion, and the ceremony was attended only by close family and friends.
The early years of their marriage appeared blissful. Both were at the height of their respective careers—Portman had just won an Academy Award for Black Swan, while Millepied was establishing himself as a prominent choreographer and director. They seemed to balance their professional ambitions with their growing family life seamlessly.
Building a Family and Career Success (2012-2017)
Following their marriage, Portman and Millepied focused on building their family while pursuing their individual artistic endeavors. The couple welcomed their second child, daughter Amalia, in February 2017. With two young children, they made the decision to relocate to France, where Millepied had been appointed as the director of dance at the Paris Opera Ballet.
During this period, both continued to achieve professional success. Portman starred in various films, including the Thor franchise, while Millepied worked on high-profile projects and developed his directorial skills. They occasionally collaborated professionally, with Millepied supporting Portman at red carpet events and premieres.
The couple maintained their commitment to privacy throughout these years, rarely discussing their personal lives in interviews and keeping their children largely out of the public eye. This discretion would later serve them well during the more turbulent times ahead.
Signs of Trouble: The Affair Allegations (May 2023)
The first public indication that all was not well in the Portman-Millepied marriage came in May 2023, when French outlet Voici published reports alleging that Millepied had engaged in an extramarital affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Étienne. The allegations sent through the entertainment industry marked the beginning of intense media scrutiny of their previously private relationship.
According to sources close to the couple, the affair was described as “short-lived,” but the damage to their marriage was significant. A source told People magazine in June 2023: “It was short-lived and it is over. He knows he made an enormous mistake and he is doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together”.
The revelation was particularly devastating for Portman, who had always prioritized her family’s privacy. The same source noted: “Natalie is incredibly private and has no intention of playing this out in the media. Her biggest priority is protecting her children and their privacy”.
Attempting Reconciliation (Summer 2023)
Despite the betrayal, both Portman and Millepied initially attempted to salvage their marriage for the sake of their family. Sources reported that Millepied was “doing all he can to get Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together”. The couple was described as “trying to work things out” during the summer of 2023.
However, the strain was evident. Portman was notably spotted without her wedding ring at various public events, including the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023, where she promoted her film May December alongside co-star Julianne Moore. The absence of her distinctive wedding band became a telling sign of the couple’s marital troubles.
Friends rallied around Portman during this difficult period. As one source later revealed: “It was initially really tough for her, but her friends rallied around her and helped get her through the worst of it”.
Maintaining Privacy During the Split (2023-2024)
Throughout the separation process, both Portman and Millepied maintained their characteristic privacy. When confronted about the speculation surrounding their marriage in a February 2024 Vanity Fair interview, Portman simply stated: “It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it”.
The couple continued to present a united front when it came to their children, being photographed together at various family events throughout 2023 and early 2024. This commitment to co-parenting helped shield their children from the worst of the media attention surrounding their parents’ separation.
The Final Chapter: Divorce Finalized (February 2024)
In February 2024, Portman and Millepied’s divorce was quietly finalized in France, officially ending their 11-year marriage. The news wasn’t publicly confirmed until March 8, 2024, when People magazine reported the finalization, demonstrating the couple’s success in keeping their personal matters private.
A friend of the couple reflected on Portman’s journey through the divorce: “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: “Natalie hoped her marriage would be forever, but she is at peace with where they are and now focused on their new normal as a family”.
