Natalie Portman embraced her classy side as she starred in Dior’s latest shoot for the brand’s Book Tote Club segment which was shared to Instagram on Sunday.
The Oscar winner, 42 – who recently finalized her divorce from ex-husband Benjamin Millepied last month in March – appeared in an assortment of images and a video while exploring the Salle Labrouste library in Paris.
The actress – who has been an ambassador for the French company since 2011 – was chic in a pair of high-waisted, dark denim pants.
She additionally wore a plain white shirt as well as a gray cardigan that was left unbuttoned at the front.
Portman completed her overall look by slipping into a pair of black $1,050 Slingback pumps from the brand.
Her brunette locks were parted to the side, and flowed down past her shoulders in light waves.
Natalie carried a large, Dior book tote from the Spring/Summer 2024 collection which was designed by Maria Grazia Chiuri.
In a series of snaps, the mother-of-two could be seen looking at a few books inside the stunning space with the colorful, patterned bag next to her.
The caption of the joint post which was shared to both Portman and Dior’s main pages read: ‘As we close the latest chapter of the #DiorBookTote Club, enjoy a last literary wander with Dior Ambassador @NataliePortman.’
‘In her #DiorSS24 bag imagined by @MariaGraziaChiuri, find the inspiring ‘Hope in the Dark: Untold Histories, Wild Possibilities’, by Rebecca Solnit, and the captivating ‘On Photography’, by Susan Sontag.’
In a video also uploaded on Sunday, Natalie happily took social media users and fans along with her as she revealed a few of her ‘favorite’ books that were located inside the library.
The clip kicked off with the Black Swan star stating, ‘Welcome to my Dior Book Tote Club. I’m so excited to show you this beautiful Salle Labrouste and to show you some of my favorite books.’
While carrying the luxurious Dior tote bag, Portman made her way through the library and picked out a book which is the ‘Todd Haynes exhibition catalog.’
‘He’s one of my favorite filmmakers, and I was lucky enough recently, to get to work with him.’
Haynes is known for working on various projects, such as Far From Heaven (2002), Carol (2015) and May December (2023) – which starred Natalie and Julianne Moore.
Another book that she ended up placing in her tote was Susan Sontag’s On Photography.
‘Libraries in general are so meaningful to me because the fact that you have so much access to everything when you share with everyone is just a beautiful concept in life,’ she gushed. ‘So, it’s a great way to experience books.’
Two other books on her list included Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend and also Rebecca Solnit’s Hope In The Dark.
Portman quickly read a quote from the latter and said, ‘Hope just means another world might be possible.’
‘Not promised, not guaranteed. Hope calls for action. Action is impossible without hope,’ she added, promptly ending the Dior video.
The Thor actress has a passion for books and notably runs Natalie’s Book Club. She has an Instagram page for the club which currently boasts 145k followers.
During an interview with Vanity Fair earlier this year in February, the beauty discussed her love of books and was asked if she tends to read while on sets. ‘I read a lot. It depends on the role.’
‘If it’s something that I really need to kind of create a world around, I’ll read things that are related – or sometimes you just read and everything feels related.’
‘I don’t know if it feels like that when you’re writing something, but you’re so in it that everything you interact with has some sort of meaning for your character.’
Last month in March, Natalie notably read Nora Ephron’s autobiographical novel Heartburn. The premise follows her marriage and divorce from Carl Bernstein after his affair.
The same month, Portman’s divorce from Benjamin Millepied was finalized after 11 years of marriage.
She quietly filed to end the union in July of last year and the divorce was finalized in France, a representative for the actress confirmed with People.
Portman and Millepied married in 2012 and share two children together – son Aleph, 12, and daughter Amalia, seven. The family live in France.
The split came after it was alleged Millepied had cheated on Portman with a woman 21 years his junior.
Last year French outlet Voici released an explosive report claiming Millepied had an affair with 25-year-old climate activist Camille Étienne.
People magazine reported at the time that the romance with Camille was ‘short-lived’ – and that Benjamin was ‘doing all he could’ to get ‘Natalie to forgive him and keep their family together.’
In their latest report about the divorce, a friend of the former couple shared with People how Portman had been getting through the split.
The friend revealed it been ‘initially really tough’ for Portman in the early days of her split, but her supportive friends ‘helped her get through the worst of it.’
The friend explained that the actress is now on ‘the other side’ of a difficult year and ‘stronger’. She has now been ‘finding joy in her family, friends, and work.’
Portman’s ‘biggest priority has been ensuring a smooth transition for her children,’ the friend said.
‘She and Ben really love their kids and are equally focused on being the best co-parents they can be. Nothing is more important,’ the insider said.
While also talking to Vanity Fair, she briefly touched on the topic of the split and how she felt about having her marriage written about. ‘It’s terrible, and I have no desire to contribute to it.’
In a January WSJ interview, she seemed to quietly confirm their split as she talked about living in Paris with her two children but made no mention of Millepied, which was the biggest hint yet that they no longer live together.
In February, the duo reunited as they were pictured with their two children on a lunchtime outing in L.A. The Academy Award-winning actress did not appear to be donning her wedding ring.