Natalie Wihongi is a professional make-up artist, who is most famously known as Karl Urban’s ex-wife. Originally from New Zealand, Natalie has achieved fame due to her remarkable makeup artistry capabilities. However, many people still recognize her based on her relationship with her popular actor ex-husband, Karl Urban.
Who is Natalie Wihongi?
Full Name: Natalie Wihongi
Birth Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Date Of Birth: 1982 (specific details unknown)
Age: 41 years old
Height: 5’8″ (172cm)
Weight: 132 lbs (60Kg)
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Blonde
School: Epsom Girls Grammar School
Nationality: New Zealander
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Divorced
Spouse Name: Karl Urban (2004-2014)
Kids: Indiana Urban
Profession: Cosmetics Artist
Despite being married to a well-known actor, there is limited information available regarding Natalie Wihongi’s personal life. However, we have managed to gather a lot of details about the make-up artist.
Early Life & Education
Natalie Wihongi was born in Auckland, New Zealand to a dad who was a businessman, and a mum who was a homemaker. The family was deeply integrated into the neighborhood, engaging in nearby events and social meetings. From a very young age, her parents noticed her artistic talents and encouraged her to find different ways to express herself.
From an early age, Natalie became passionate about the art world, especially makeup and special effects. She taught herself various methods and approaches to the craft and eventually honed her skills in makeup artistry to a high level.
Natalie studied at the esteemed Epson Girls Grammar School in Auckland, where she was presented with a vast range of classes. However, it was the arts which truly captured her attention. She excelled in creative courses, developing her own exclusive style to take her work beyond the standard expectations.
Once Natalie finished her high school studies, she decided to take a course in Makeup Artistry. This decision was of great importance, as it paved the way for a professional career that brought her to places she never thought she would visit.
Career
From an early age, Natalie Wihongi found pleasure in her work as a makeup artist, prompting her to start honing her skills in her native New Zealand, taking part in various local productions.
As the years passed, she longed for more chances which led to her eventual relocation to the United States. Subsequently, Wihongi began to be cast in films, starting off with The Privateers in 2000.
It was during this project that she met the man who later became her husband, Karl Urban. Her following job in the makeup world was for the TV movie titled Rain in 2001.
Natalie Wihongi experienced a remarkable shift in her career when she was presented with a defining opportunity in the film business. Her remarkable ability was noticed by celebrated director Peter Jackson, famous for helming the legendary The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Natalie’s career shifted when she was appointed to do makeup for these films. Her skills in producing remarkable characters and stunning special effects in the fantasy trilogy trilogy were commended by viewers and critics.
Throughout her career, she has demonstrated her skill and flexibility as a makeup artist by working on several different types of films, from exciting action films to more personal dramas.
Natalie Wihongi & Karl Urban: Love Story, Marriage, and Divorce
Natalie and Karl Urban connected right away while they were working together on Lord of the Rings, where she was part of the makeup team. What began as a professional exchange quickly grew into a romantic relationship.
The couple succeeded in maintaining their bond largely out of the public eye, despite the press’s escalating curiosity about their romance. It was the kind of romance that we often see in Hollywood movies, where two people who work in the same field get together on the set and fall in love.
Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban got married in a private ceremony in 2004. The marriage ceremony was only attended by dear friends and family. It seemed like they had it all: thriving jobs, a gorgeous family, and a relationship that could compare to any fairytale.
Living a life in the spotlight, however, can be difficult. The hours of media attention, extended work hours, and expectations of fame can become exhausting and take a toll on any partnership.
Why Did Natalie & Karl Take Divorce?
Natalie and Karl’s decade-long union ended in 2014 with the couple’s announcement of their separation. The legal dissolution of their marriage was put into effect later that same year, signifying the conclusion of their shared chapter in life.
Natalie and Karl’s divorce was the result of a mutual decision, driven by their own personal reasons. However, amid the media frenzy surrounding their split, some tabloids sparked rumours of Karl’s alleged affair with a TV actress. This unsubstantiated gossip left Natalie understandably upset and prompted her to confront Karl about the alleged infidelity, adding a layer of drama to their already challenging situation.
