Supermodel Natalia Vodianova lives a fairy tale life today. She is married to Antoine Arnault, the son of the world’s richest man, Bernard Arnault. But before she joined the LVMH empire family, she was married to an English aristocrat named Justin Portman.
The couple’s marriage lasted nearly a decade. They share three children together. Their split in 2011 opened the door for Vodianova’s current life of luxury with the Arnault family. Here is a look at who Justin Portman is and why his story matters.
Who Is Justin Portman? A Look at His Blue Blood Background
Justin Portman comes from a very wealthy British family. He is the son of the late Edward Henry Berkeley Portman, the 9th Viscount Portman. The Portman family owns a massive amount of land in central London. Their estate stretches across 110 acres of prime property between Oxford Street and Edgware Road.
Even though he is an aristocrat, Justin Portman does not hold the family title. His older half-brother, Christopher Portman, is the 10th Viscount Portman. The family fortune is estimated to be worth over £2 billion.
Justin lives a more private life compared to his famous ex-wife. He is known as an artist, photographer, and property heir. He is 13 years older than Natalia Vodianova.
The Love Story: Meeting Natalia Vodianova
Natalia Vodianova met Justin Portman at a dinner party in Paris in 2000. At the time, Vodianova was already a rising star in fashion. She had gone from selling fruit in Russia to walking runways for top designers.
Their romance moved quickly. In December 2001, Vodianova gave birth to their first son, Lucas Alexander. She was only 19 years old. The couple had a civil ceremony in the UK at that time. They waited until September 1, 2002, for a big wedding. They held a three-day celebration in St. Petersburg, Russia. Vodianova wore a custom Tom Ford gown for the event.
The couple went on to have two more children together. Their daughter Neva was born in 2006, and their son Viktor arrived in 2007.
Why the Marriage Ended in Divorce
After nine years of marriage, Natalia Vodianova and Justin Portman announced their separation in June 2011. The split was reported to be amicable, but it was still a difficult time.
Vodianova spoke about the divorce in an interview at the time. She said, “It’s really sad. It has been a while.” She wanted to keep the details private for the sake of their children. The divorce was finalized by the end of 2011.
Reports suggested that cracks in the marriage started to show as early as late 2009. Justin spent a lot of time in Uruguay working on a property project, while Vodianova stayed in other parts of the world with the kids.
By the time the divorce was public, Vodianova had already moved on. She confirmed she was in love with someone new. That person was Antoine Arnault.
Life After Vodianova: Where Is Justin Portman Now?
After the divorce, Justin Portman stepped away from the media spotlight. He has largely stayed out of tabloids since his split from the supermodel. His current net worth is reported to be around $5 million, largely from family assets and inheritance.
He continues to work on his art and photography. He also keeps a close relationship with his three children: Lucas, Neva, and Viktor. Meanwhile, Natalia Vodianova married Antoine Arnault in 2020. She is now expecting her sixth child, expanding her family even further with the Arnault heirs.
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