5 Shocking Facts About Natalie Portman And Gael García Bernal's Secretive, On-Again, Off-Again Romance

Few Hollywood romances from the early 2000s remain as fascinating and relatively under-the-radar as the one between Oscar-winner Natalie Portman and Mexican cinema icon Gael García Bernal. Their relationship was a whirlwind of international glamour, intense passion, and ultimately, a complex love triangle that became a major piece of celebrity lore.

As of this current date, December 12, 2025, both stars have moved into new, stable relationships and major career phases, but the story of their time together still captivates fans. This article dives deep into the timeline of their secretive romance, the dramatic reason for their final split, and where the two global superstars stand today.

Full Biography and Profile: Gael García Bernal and Natalie Portman

To fully appreciate the star power of this former couple, it is essential to understand their individual achievements and backgrounds. Both actors are considered among the most talented and intellectual performers of their generation, each with a history of critical acclaim and box office success.

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Gael García Bernal: The Mexican Maestro

• Full Name: Gael García Bernal
• Born: November 30, 1978 (currently 47 years old)
• Birthplace: Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
• Occupation: Actor, Director, Producer
• Key Films: Amores perros (2000), Y tu mamá también (2001), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004), Coco (2017), Mozart in the Jungle (TV Series)
• Awards/Recognition: Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (for Mozart in the Jungle). Known for being a key figure in the "new wave" of Mexican cinema.

Natalie Portman: The Intellectual Hollywood Star

• Full Name: Natalie Hershlag (known professionally as Natalie Portman)
• Born: June 9, 1981 (currently 44 years old)
• Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
• Occupation: Actress, Film Producer, Director
• Key Films: Léon: The Professional (1994), Star Wars Prequel Trilogy (1999–2005), Closer (2004), V for Vendetta (2005), Black Swan (2010), Jackie (2016), Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
• Awards/Recognition: Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actress (for Black Swan), two Golden Globe Awards, and a BAFTA Award. She is a Harvard University graduate.

The On-Again, Off-Again Timeline: From Oscars After-Party to Cannes Split

The relationship between Gael García Bernal and Natalie Portman was one of the most talked-about couplings of the early 2000s, largely because of its international nature and the intense privacy surrounding it. They were a rare blend of Hollywood royalty and Latin American indie cinema prestige.

The couple reportedly first met at an Oscars after-party, a classic Hollywood meet-cute that launched a four-year, on-again, off-again romance.

2003–2004: The Initial Spark

The initial relationship began around 2003. Portman was fresh off her role in the Star Wars prequels, while Bernal was gaining global recognition for critically acclaimed films like Amores perros and *Y tu mamá también*. Their pairing instantly made them a paparazzi favorite, though they rarely spoke about their private lives.

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2006–2007: The Final Reunion and Breakup

After an initial split, the pair reportedly reunited in 2006, leading to their most public appearances together. However, by 2007, the relationship had ended for good. The final split was reportedly dramatic, involving a rumored confrontation after a Cannes Film Festival event.

It is important to note that despite the high-profile nature of their careers, Natalie and Gael never collaborated on a major film project during their dating period. The closest they came was sharing the same circle of international filmmakers and attending the same global film festivals.

The Untold Story of the Dolores Fonzi Love Triangle

The most compelling and dramatic detail of the Gael and Natalie romance is the persistent rumor of a love triangle involving Argentine actress Dolores Fonzi. This narrative is often cited as the true reason for the final, definitive breakup of the couple.

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Gael García Bernal and Dolores Fonzi first met in 2001 on the set of the film Vidas privadas. While their relationship timeline is complex, the popular gossip suggests that Gael may have cheated on Natalie with Dolores, or at least rekindled a connection with her while still involved with Portman.

The timeline confirms that shortly after his final split from Natalie Portman in 2007, Gael García Bernal entered into a long-term relationship with Dolores Fonzi. They went on to have two children together, a son named Lázaro (born 2009) and a daughter named Libertad (born 2011). They were together until 2014, solidifying Dolores Fonzi's role as a major entity in Gael's dating history.

This sequence of events—the breakup with Portman followed immediately by a long-term partnership and children with Fonzi—lent significant credence to the cheating rumors, turning the story into a legendary piece of early 2000s celebrity gossip.

Where Are They Now? Current Relationships and Latest News

Both Gael García Bernal and Natalie Portman have moved on to build families and continue their highly successful careers, showing no signs of looking back at their youthful romance. Their current status provides a fresh update on their lives today.

Natalie Portman: Divorce and New Romance

Following her relationship with Gael, Natalie Portman married French dancer and choreographer Benjamin Millepied in 2012. They met on the set of her Oscar-winning film, Black Swan. The couple had two children together, Aleph and Amalia.

However, in 2024, it was confirmed that Portman and Millepied had finalized their divorce. This marked a significant change in her personal life.

In a major update, Natalie Portman is now reportedly dating French musician and music producer Tanguy Destable, known professionally as Tepr. The couple has been linked since early 2024 and appears to be going strong, marking Portman's first public romance since her divorce.

Gael García Bernal: A New Family Chapter

After his split from Dolores Fonzi in 2014, Gael García Bernal found love again with Mexican journalist and model Fernanda Aragonés.

Their relationship began in 2019, and in 2021, they welcomed a child together, adding a third child to Gael's family. This new chapter indicates a stable and happy period for the actor, who continues to star in major international projects like the Disney/Pixar film Coco and the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Werewolf by Night.

Why Their Relationship Still Matters to Fans

The connection between Natalie Portman and Gael García Bernal remains a popular topic for several reasons. It represented a rare, high-profile cross-cultural coupling between a celebrated Mexican actor and a quintessential American star. It occurred during a pivotal time in both of their careers, right before their biggest global successes—Portman's Oscar for Black Swan and Bernal's Golden Globe for Mozart in the Jungle.

Furthermore, the dramatic, rumored love triangle with Dolores Fonzi adds a layer of soap-opera intrigue to an otherwise private affair. While both stars have clearly moved on, the story of the intellectual, glamorous, and complicated romance between the two global cinema powerhouses continues to fascinate and endure.