Natalie Portman Expresses Gratitude to Supportive Friends Following Benjamin Millepied Divorce

In the aftermath of her divorce from Benjamin Millepied, Natalie Portman expressed gratitude for the support of her friends while commemorating her birthday.

On her special day, the 43-year-old actress took to Instagram, acknowledging her friends' uplifting influence. Alongside photos featuring moments with friends and family, she wrote, "This year, on my birthday, I want to celebrate my gratitude for my friends who lift me up again and again."

Following her post, a number of notable personalities and close friends wished her a happy birthday. Among them were Reese Witherspoon, who referred to Natalie as an "incredible diamond of a human", and Mindy Kaling, who wished the beautiful actress a happy birthday. Isla Fisher conveyed her gratitude for Natalie’s existence along with a birthday wish, while Chris Hemsworth also wished her a happy birthday.

The Black Swan star has been seeking comfort and support from her loved ones following the split from her ex-husband, Benjamin, 47. Divorce proceedings were initiated in July 2023 after rumours of Benjamin's infidelity with Camille Ètienne circulated. Neither party has publicly commented on the allegations, but an inside source suggested to Life & Style that Natalie felt deeply betrayed by his actions.

The source conveyed that Natalie struggled with the notion that she had compromised a lot during their marriage to keep Benjamin satisfied, only to be made a fool of. She was looking to salvage their relationship but the pain from the betrayal was still raw. Their divorce, however, was finalized by February. The couple, who got married in 2012, are parents to 12-year-old Aleph and 7-year-old Amalia.

Recently, the No Strings Attached actress caught the public's attention when seen with Paul Mescal at Bar 69 in London on May 28. Photos captured by the Daily Mail show the two enjoying a laugh outside the pub while smoking cigarettes.

The nature of 28-year-old Paul and Natalie's relationship is yet to be defined, but they were paired up for Variety’s “Actors on Actors” segment in December 2023. Paul showed praiseworthy admiration for Natalie's performance in May December and expressed his amazement at getting the chance to converse with her.

The release of their reunion photos stirred fans into expressing how adorable they would look as a couple on social media. "Their chemistry is off the charts, "one person noted, while another inquired if they were an item now.