Natalie Portman has been criticised for being pregnant before being married. Skip related content

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."

Natalie - 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."