From her early days as a child prodigy in Léon: The Professional to her Oscar-winning transformation in Black Swan, Natalie Portman has remained the personification of “intellectual stardom.” Known for her dual Israeli-American heritage, a Harvard psychology degree, and an uncanny ability to inhabit complex, often fragile women, she is a titan of 21st-century cinema.
As of January 2026, Natalie is navigating a bold “new era,” having recently moved to Paris and expanded her portfolio as a producer and advocate for women in sports and film.
Natalie Portman Biography
Born Natalie Hershlag on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Natalie is the only child of Shelley Stevens, an artist, and Avner Hershlag, a fertility specialist. Her family moved to the United States when she was three, eventually settling on Long Island, New York.
A serious and ambitious child, Natalie was discovered by a Revlon agent at a pizza parlor at age 10. Rather than modeling, she insisted on acting, adopting her grandmother’s maiden name, Portman, as her stage name to protect her family’s privacy. She balanced her early rise to fame with academic excellence, famously graduating from Harvard University with a degree in psychology in 2003, once stating, “I’d rather be smart than a movie star.”
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Career
Natalie’s career is defined by a refusal to be just one thing. After her breakout as a teen assassin-in-training, she became a global icon as Queen Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
In 2025 and 2026, Natalie has pivoted toward gritty, character-driven roles and high-concept sci-fi:
- The Indie Producer: In 2024, she produced and starred in the acclaimed miniseries Lady in the Lake.
- The Guy Ritchie Era: In 2025, she completed filming Fountain of Youth alongside John Krasinski, an adventure epic exploring immortality.
- The Scientist Return: As of early 2026, she is preparing for the release of Photograph 51, a biopic where she portrays the unsung DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin.
- The Future: Natalie is also attached to produce and star in the upcoming 2026 project The Gallerist, set within the cutthroat world of international art dealing.
Natalie Portman Movies
- Léon: The Professional (1994): The film that introduced her “once-in-a-generation” talent.
- Star Wars: Episodes I, II, & III (1999–2005): Her foray into blockbusters.
- Closer (2004): A performance that earned her a Golden Globe and her first Oscar nod.
- V for Vendetta (2005): For which she famously shaved her head.
- Black Swan (2010): Her tour-de-force as Nina Sayers, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.
- Jackie (2016): A hauntingly accurate portrayal of Jackie Kennedy.
- Thor: Love and Thunder (2022): Her transformation into the Mighty Thor.
- May December (2023): A masterclass in psychological drama.
Natalie Portman Net Worth
As of early 2026, Natalie Portman’s net worth is estimated at $90 million. This wealth is a result of her decades-long acting career, her successful production company MountainA, and her long-standing partnership with Dior, for which she has been a global ambassador for over 15 years.
Family
Natalie’s family history is deeply rooted in Jewish heritage and resilience. Her paternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors, a legacy she has honored through her directorial work (A Tale of Love and Darkness).
Natalie is a mother of two: her son, Aleph (born 2011), and her daughter, Amalia (born 2017). She has often shared that her children are her “source of excitement” and has worked hard to keep them out of the public eye, despite her global fame.
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Relationships and New Beginnings
Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied
Natalie’s most prominent relationship was with French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, whom she met on the set of Black Swan in 2009. They married in 2012 and spent over a decade as one of Hollywood’s most artistic pairs. However, following reports of an extramarital affair, Natalie quietly filed for divorce in July 2023. The divorce was officially finalized in France in early 2024, marking the end of their 11-year marriage.
Natalie Portman and Tanguy Destable
As of January 2026, Natalie is in a new relationship with French musician and producer Tanguy Destable (better known by his stage name, Tepr). The two were first linked in March 2025 after being spotted in Paris. Since then, they have been seen together at several high-profile events, including Paris Fashion Week. Friends describe Natalie as “truly happy and refreshed” as she embraces her new life in the French capital.
Controversies
Despite her “polished” reputation, Natalie has used her voice in ways that sometimes spark debate. In 2018, her “all-male nominees” comment at the Golden Globes went viral, highlighting gender disparity in directing. Most recently, in late 2025, she faced some criticism for her vocal support of women’s sports investment, with some critics questioning the “commercialization” of activism. Natalie responded by stating, “If you want change, you have to invest in the change-makers.”
Natalie Portman Age and Instagram
As of January 2026, Natalie Portman is 44 years old. She maintains a sophisticated presence on Instagram (@natalieportman), where she has over 9.2 million followers. Her feed is less about “celebrity life” and more about her “Natalie’s Book Club” recommendations, her environmental advocacy, and her work with Angel City FC, the Los Angeles-based women’s soccer team she co-founded.
Conclusion
Natalie Portman is a survivor, a scholar, and a storyteller. Having moved through a difficult divorce into a vibrant new relationship and a fresh chapter of European living, she remains a guiding light for actors who want to lead with their minds as much as their talent.
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