Natalie Portman: ‘I had this impression that mothers don’t work- it’s the hardest job ever’

The usually private Hollywood actress Natalie Portman opened up about motherhood during an interview in the November issue of a US magazine.

natalie

by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

The 32-year-old, who gave birth to son Aleph in 2011, admitted she had misconceptions about motherhood prior to giving birth herself.

'I love being a mum, but it’s much more intensive work than being an actress – going to work feels like you’ve got a day off,' she revealed.

'Not that I want a day off from being a mum, it’s just perhaps I had this impression before that mums don’t work. But they work more than anyone.'

The Black Swan actress stars as astrophysicist Jane Foster in upcoming film Thor: The Dark World.

Natalie with husband of two years Benjamin
Natalie with husband of two years Benjamin

Speaking about playing the roll of a strong, 'kick-ass' woman, the mother-of-one explained:

'I want every version of a woman and a man to be possible. I want women and men to be able to be full-time parents or full-time working people or any combination of the two.

'Being a mum is much more intensive work than being an actress'

'I want both to be able to do whatever they want sexually without being called names. I want them to be allowed to be weak and strong and happy and sad – human, basically.'

The vegan actress, who married her choreographer partner Benjamin Millipied, whom she met in 2009, one year after giving birth to their son, added:

'The fallacy in Hollywood is that if you’re making a "feminist" story, the woman kicks ass and wins. That’s not feminist, that’s macho. A movie about a weak, vulnerable woman can be feminist if it shows a real person that we can empathise with.'

Just so you know, we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website - read why you should trust us