Republican politician hits out at unmarried Portman's pregnancy

Natalie Portman has been criticised for being pregnant before being married.

Former governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee claims the 29-year-old actress – who is expecting her and her fiance Benjamin Millepied’s first child together - is giving a “distorted” image of parenthood because she can afford to look after a child on her own, while many other American single mothers could not do the same.

In an interview with radio host Michael Medved, the ex-politician and Fox News Host said: “One of the things that's troubling is that people see a Natalie Portman or some other Hollywood starlet who boasts of: 'Hey look, you know, we're having children, we're not married, but we're having these children', and they're doing just fine.

"But there aren't really a lot of single moms out there who are making millions of dollars every year for being in a movie. And I think it gives a distorted image that yes, not everybody hires nannies, and caretakers, and nurses. Most single moms are very poor, uneducated, can't get a job, and if it weren't for government assistance, their kids would be starving to death and never have health care.”

Portman – who picked up an Oscar for her portrayal of psychologically troubled ballet dancer Nina Sayers in ‘Black Swan’ last weekend - is believed to be expecting a boy.

A source said: “They've only told a very small group of family members and friends that they're expecting a son. They are so excited. Benjamin cannot wait to be a father."