Natalie Portman’s Husband: 5 Things To Know About Benjamin Millepied & Their Separation

Natalie Portman’s husband Benjamin Millepied is a megastar in the ballet world. As reports emerge that the duo has split, here’s what to know about him.

• Natalie Portman met Benjamin Millepied on the set of ‘The Black Swan.’
• He’s a superstar in the ballet world.
• They married in 2012 and have two children.
• In August of 2023, reports emerged that they have split over Benjamin’s alleged affair.

Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied have been married for almost a decade and now have two children together. While they met in 2009, married in 2012, and have two children together, however, it’s reportedly not always been easy. In June of 2023, reports emerged of an alleged affair between Benjamin and a 25-year-old climate activist, according to Page Six.— followed by an August report that they’d split. 

“After news of his affair came out, they’ve been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs,” an insider told Us Weekly. A source for PEOPLE had previously claimed the couple were still together. “It was short-lived and it is over,” they said in June of 2023. “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. 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.” An insider reportedly told Page Six in June, “They have not split and are trying to work things out. Ben is doing everything he can to get Natalie to forgive him. He loves her and their family.” A rep for Natalie declined to comment at the time.

Despite the alleged split, Natalie has enjoyed worldwide fame and immense success as an actress, heading up high profile films like Vox Lux, Avengers: Endgame, Lucy in the Sky, Star Wars Episodes I, II, and III, and Thor. She’s been nominated for multiple Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actor’s Guild Awards. But while the Black Swan beauty, 40, and her hubby, 44, have become red carpet mainstays, you might be surprised to learn that Benjamin isn’t an actor — he’s a ballet megastar. Here’s everything you need to know about the accomplished actress’s husband and home life.

1. Benjamin is a classically trained ballet dancer

Natalie’s one-and-only is a French dancer and choreographer, formerly of the New York City Ballet. He’s the founder of the L.A. Dance Project, which he now heads up, and has also been affiliated with the Paris Opera Ballet as the director of dance. But it was his role as choreographer to Darren Aronofsky‘s masterpiece Black Swan that ultimately led him to his future wife, who starred in the film as tormented ballerina Nina Sayers. The world-class dancer also appeared, and danced, in the film, solidifying the couple’s bond.

2. He previously dated Isabella Boylston

The former NYCB principal dancer had a serious romance with Isabella Boylston, American Ballet Theatre superstar. The couple reportedly lived together before Benjamin met and married Natalie Portman during filming for The Black Swan.

3. He’s an accomplished short film director

In 2012, the same year he married Natalie in Big Sur, California, Benjamin founded The Amoveo Company, which is described via his Wikipedia page as a “multimedia production company and art collective.” Benjamin has impressively directed short films alongside other artists, including musician Philip Glass, visual artist Mark Bradford, and tech music duo Zeds Dead.

4. Benjamin is a father to two beautiful kids

The choreographer is a father to two wonderful children with Natalie. Their son Aleph was born in 2011 and daughter Amalia joined the family several years later in 2017. The couple have been famously private about their family life and protective of their children.

5. He’s been made a French Chevalier

Benjamin may not have an Oscar, but the world-renowned dancer has a few distinguished honors of his own. He was made Chevalier (the equivalent of a British knight) in the Order of the Arts and Letters by the French Ministry of Culture in 2010. He also received the Prix de Lausanne as a young dancer in 1994 in 1995 was given the distinguished Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise.