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The early aughts were a golden era for A-list celebrity couples, with many of them happy to proudly show off their love on the beach, the streets and the red carpet. And then there was Natalie Portman and Gael Garcia Bernal. The relationship between the two highly-respected actors was so secretive that they were barely photographed together during their time as a couple — but that doesn’t mean they weren’t serious about each other. Let’s refresh our memories …
How it Began
It was 2003 when this pretty pair, both in their early 20s at the time (Portman is now 44, while Garcia Bernal is 46), met at a post-Oscars party. Both young, beautiful former child stars with shared intellectual interests and a mutual love of privacy, it was no surprise that they hit it off. Sure enough, they were quietly linked, but it was the last anyone heard of it for a while.
How Long it Lasted
It wasn’t until 2006 that it became obvious these two were a couple. So, were they together in-between? Only they know for sure. This time around they were a little less shy, and spent time together jet-setting their way to high-profile events like the Berlin International Film Festival and the US Open. They even rented an apartment together while Portman was shooting in Toronto, and Garcia Bernal was also spotted in Paris while Portman was in town for Fashion Week.
In 2007, they hung out with Helen Mirren at the Vanity Fair Oscar party, and were openly affectionate. But within a few months, they were no more.
How it Ended
Well, for two people who shied away from the limelight, it ended with drama. Garcia Bernal was shooting a movie in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when rumors began circulating in the local press that he was romantically involved with actress Dolores Fonzi, who he’d worked with on Vidas privadas in 2001. The story goes that Portman flew to Argentina to confront him — and their breakup soon followed. Gael went on to have two children with Fonzi, but the pair split in 2014.
What They Said About Each Other
Absolutely nothing! The only hint of a connection came when Portman was asked in interviews to name her favorite movies, and she often mentioned 2001’s Y tu mamá también — one of Garcia Bernal’s best-known movies.
What They Say Now
Neither have ever publicly addressed their tumultuous time together, but Garcia Bernal has talked about his attitude to relationships. “So many things have changed in the last century,” he told Elle in 2014. “The concept of monogamy is an inheritance of a medieval time, when family would carry the tradition of the name and certain privileges. It’s a way of organizing society, perhaps. So all the moral issues that carry with monogamy and the real meaning of where it comes from? It’s questionable nowadays. I can’t say I don’t believe in it, I just think that everyone has their own interpretation.”
Key Relationship Takeaways
With many of the receipts long since burned — or just leading to 404 Link Not Found pages — it’s almost like it never happened. While Garcia Bernal moved on pretty fast with Fonzi, it was two years before Portman got serious with Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied, who she divorced in 2024.
Ultimately, this was a relationship between two young talents with roots in different continents. They looked great and had fun together, but it wasn’t meant to be.
