BFT London - Natalie Portman has reflected on her time at Harvard University during her keynote speech to graduates on Wednesday.
The 33-year-old actress attended Harvard from 1999 to 2003, and left with a degree in psychology. She returned to the world-famous university on Wednesday to make a keynote speech during Harvard College’s Class Day ceremony, and reflected on her own time there.
‘When I came in as a freshman in 1999, I felt like there had been some mistake and that I wasn’t smart enough to be in this company,’ Natalie said. ‘When I got to Harvard just after the release of Star Wars: Episode 1, I feared people would assume I had gotten in just for being famous, and not worthy of the intellectual rigor her.’
Natalie is mother to three-year-old son Aleph with husband Benjamin Millepied. But during the speech she admitted that while she now has a happy family life, things were slightly harder at points at Harvard. ‘It’s easy to romanticise my time here, but I had some difficult times here,’ she continued. ‘Being 19, dealing with my first heartbreak, taking birth control that’s now off the market due to its depressive side effects.’ Prior to attending Harvard, Natalie had decided that her dreams of acting were ‘frivolous’. However, after she graduated with her degree, the stunning brunette soon realised where her true talents lay.
‘I admitted to myself I couldn’t wait to go back and make more films,’ she said. ‘I had reclaimed my reason.’