Oscar-winning actress Natalie Portman has spoken about becoming a mother for the third time at the age of 45, describing the experience as a source of wonder and joy.
Portman welcomed her first child with her partner, French music producer Tanguy Destable, last month. In a new interview with Harper’s Bazaar for its forthcoming November issue, she shared insights into life with the newborn and her relationship with Destable.
The baby is Portman’s third child. She also has two children from her previous marriage to director and choreographer Benjamin Millepied: son Aleph, 15, and daughter Amalia, nine. The couple separated in 2023 and finalised their divorce in 2024.
New Baby Gives Portman a Fresh Perspective on Her Older Children
Portman said having another child has changed how she looks at her older children, reminding her of how quickly they have grown.
She described herself as “full of wonder and joy at this magical little human” and said the experience had given her a renewed appreciation of her two older children.
“It gives me a whole new attention to my big kids too, as I am reminded of how recently they were these little fresh creations and how quickly they’ve blossomed into incredible humans with their own amazing personalities and senses of humour and ideas,” she said.
Actress Says Love and Kindness Matter Most in Relationships
The actress also discussed her relationship with Destable, explaining that love, kindness and the ability to laugh together were central to her outlook.
“The most important thing is love. And I’m not embarrassed to say it,” Portman said.
She added that she values relationships built around affection and shared happiness, saying she no longer wants to spend time in situations that do not offer those qualities.
“I do feel like it’s so simple, just being kind and loving and being able to laugh. That’s all that matters,” she said. “That’s the joy of being this age. If it’s not that, I’m not spending my time there.”
Portman Models Designer Fashion for Harper’s Bazaar
The interview was accompanied by a fashion shoot featuring Portman in outfits from several luxury designers.
One look included a Dior coat, a Givenchy hat and a Tiffany pendant. She also modelled a Simone Rocha dress, a hot pink silk gown by Celine, a Louis Vuitton dress and bonnet, and a feathered Loewe minidress.
The shoot features in the magazine’s forthcoming November issue.
Actress Reflects on Early Career Setbacks
Portman also reflected on the criticism she experienced early in her acting career, saying those experiences helped shape how she responds to negative reviews.
She recalled that her first film, The Professional, received poor reviews and performed badly at the box office.
She also discussed the reaction to Star Wars, in which she appeared at the age of 16. Although the film was a financial success, she said the criticism directed at the franchise and its cast was difficult to read.
“And then I made Star Wars. I was 16, and that got murdered. It was a huge success financially, but all of it was ‘They ruined the franchise. None of them can act. They all suck’,” she said.
Portman described the experience as an early lesson in dealing with criticism and continuing to pursue her career.
“I think it was an amazing early lesson in how to read really bad things about yourself and then be able to be like, ‘I’m going to make another one. I’m going to show them’,” she said.
She added that she did not remember discussing the criticism with anyone at the time and did not want others to see that she had been hurt.
The Gallerist Set for Release Next Month
Portman’s interview coincides with the upcoming release of her film The Gallerist, a dark comedy thriller in which she plays Polina Polinski, a Miami art gallery owner.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and is scheduled for release next month.
The project marks another role for Portman as she balances her acting career with life as a mother of three.
