Natalie Portman is preparing to file for divorce from Benjamin Millepied, despite trying to ‘make it work’ after her estranged spouse was accused of cheating with a climate activist 21 years his junior, insiders have claimed.
The Black Swan actress, 42, seemingly confirmed the end of her 11-year marriage to the choreographer, 46, this week during an interview with WSJ Magazine in which she failed to mention him, while disclosing that she lives in Paris with their two children.
The apparent admission came days after she flew solo at the Golden Globes, and just weeks after she was pictured once again without her wedding ring.
The actress has reportedly taken time to ‘process and heal’ and is trying to work out the best way to navigate a divorce for their children Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, six, before officially filing.
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 1 Natalie Portman is planning to file for divorce from her estranged husband, Benjamin Millepied, following last year's cheating allegations, an insider has claimed to DailyMail.com](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79893653-12951919-image-a-1_1704986353197.jpg)
Natalie Portman is planning to file for divorce from her estranged husband, Benjamin Millepied, following last year’s cheating allegations, an insider has claimed to DailyMail.com
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 3 The pair (pictured in 2022) met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror Black Swan, for which he did the choreography. They married in 2012](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79813641-12951919-The_pair_pictured_in_2022_met_back_in_2009_on_the_set_of_her_psy-a-37_1704987601970.jpg)
The pair (pictured in 2022) met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror Black Swan, for which he did the choreography. They married in 2012
‘Natalie and Benjamin tried to make it work but she simply could not get past his cheating on her,’ an insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.
‘Divorce is in the works, but nothing has been filed as of yet. They are split, however, and she is living in Paris while Benjamin continues to work in the US.
‘They are figuring out what is best for their children, as they both have so much love for them and are great parents.’
The insider added: ‘Natalie needed time to process and heal and those around her know how strong of a woman she is and how dedicated to her causes she is, including women’s empowerment.
‘No woman should have to put up with a cheating spouse. She has been private about it because that is who she is.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Natalie and Benjamin for comment.
Natalie and Benjamin’s marriage was rocked by cheating allegations last year, when French outlet 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 was ‘doing all he could’ to get ‘Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.’
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 5 Natalie, 44, attended the 81st Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday without her husband](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79813741-12951919-Natalie_44_attended_the_81st_Golden_Globes_in_Beverly_Hills_on_S-a-38_1704987601977.jpg)
Natalie, 44, attended the 81st Golden Globes in Beverly Hills on Sunday without her husband
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 7 She told WSJ. Magazine that she resides in Paris with her two kids, with no mention of her allegedly unfaithful spouse](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79813193-12951919-She_told_WSJ_Magazine_that_she_resides_in_Paris_with_her_two_kid-a-41_1704987602020.jpg)
She told WSJ. Magazine that she resides in Paris with her two kids, with no mention of her allegedly unfaithful spouse
‘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,’ a source told the publication.
‘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.’
In early August, however, an insider told Us Weekly that the pair were separating after failing to repair their relationship amid the bombshell cheating allegations.
‘After news of his affair came out, they’ve been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs,’ the source said at the time.
However, someone close to the mom-of-two told DailyMail.com days later that the reports of them ending their marriage were just ‘rumors’ and ‘speculation’ – and that no firm decision had been made.
They said that Natalie ‘still doesn’t know’ if she wants to get a divorce, despite the rumors of his infidelity leaving her feeling ‘powerless.’
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 9 According to an insider, Natalie and Benjamin are formulating a plan to best coparent their two children](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79813165-12951919-According_to_an_insider_Natalie_and_Benjamin_are_formulating_a_p-a-39_1704987601977.jpg)
According to an insider, Natalie and Benjamin are formulating a plan to best coparent their two children
![Natalie Portman Contemplates Divorce Amidst Struggles with Benjamin Millepied's Cheating Allegations, Sources Reveal - Actress Focuses on Self-reflection and Recovery during Separation 11 Natalie and Benjamin stepped out together in Paris with their two children in September. They looked tense as they exited their apartment and escorted them to school](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/01/11/15/79813653-12951919-Natalie_and_Benjamin_stepped_out_together_in_Paris_with_their_tw-a-40_1704987601978.jpg)
Natalie and Benjamin stepped out together in Paris with their two children in September. They looked tense as they exited their apartment and escorted them to school
‘[Natalie] hates that [Benjamin’s] infidelity has made her feel powerless,’ the source said at the time.
‘She doesn’t know if she can regain her power by staying with him or leaving him. It is really a struggle to have to continue to deal with it.’
But the source insisted that ‘deep down,’ Natalie and the French dancer are still ‘really in love’ and are trying to work through their problems.
The pair met in 2009 on the set of her psychological horror film Black Swan, for which he was the choreographer.
The now-estranged couple became engaged in 2010 and were married in 2012 at Big Sur, California.
Benjamin also worked on 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.