Natalie Portman has decided that she cannot be with a husband who cheated on her and publicly humiliated her unless she finds a way to regain her power in the relationship.
According to the latest reports, the Oscar winner has taken the decision to separate from Benjamin Millepied — her husband of 11 years, but that does not mean she is ready to file for divorce.
The professional dancer and actress share two children: son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, 6. The person, who spoke to Us Weekly, explained that after the media learned of the steamy affair, Portman and Millepied did their best to work things out, but the situation became painful and complicated.
The insider told the media outlet: “After news of his affair came out, they’ve been trying to work on their marriage but are currently on the outs.”
In April, a source close to Portman told PEOPLE at the time that Millepied had a “stupid short-lived affair” with Camille Étienne that he “deeply regrets.”
The French media obtained photos showing the 25-year-old French climate activist entering a building with Benjamin Millepied.
According to Us Weekly, Portman, 42, and Millepied, 46, were willing to repair the broken marriage to ensure that their kids do not “grow up in a broken home.”
The friend shared: “Right now, they are talking and working on it together for the sake of their children.”
However, another source spoke to The Daily Mail and explained that despite the scandal, the couple has not yet decided to get a divorce.
Portman is still deeply in love with her husband, but she is struggling to see beyond the heartbreaking scandal. The person in the know claimed that the status of the relationship is fluid and that Portman has yet to take a decision that will change the lives of all parties involved.
The insider stated: “She doesn’t know if she will walk away from her marriage. [Natalie] hates that [Benjamin’s] infidelity has made her feel powerless. 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. They are really taking it day by day because, deep down, they are really in love, and they are trying to figure out what has caused the distance between them. She wants to stay with him, and he really wants to be with her.”
The person also claimed: “They both know that breaking up and staying together forever are still on the table and only time will tell what direction they will actually take, deep down the pair is still really in love and are trying to work out what went wrong in their marriage.”
Last week, Portman sent a powerful yet conflicting message about the romance when she was seen in Australia without her wedding ring.
