For decades, Halle Berry has fiercely protected her children’s privacy. But a bitter custody dispute involving her youngest child has brought painful family disagreements into public view, with allegations about parenting, therapy, and her former partner’s conduct becoming part of the legal battle.
The Oscar-winning actress has two children: daughter Nahla Ariela Aubry, born in March 2008, and son Maceo-Robert Martinez, born in October 2013.
While Berry’s Hollywood career has played out in front of millions, she has generally tried to keep both children away from the spotlight.
That effort became increasingly difficult when legal filings involving her former husband, Olivier Martinez, attracted widespread media attention.
And although a viral headline suggests that Nahla made a dramatic one-line statement about her mother’s behavior toward Maceo, that particular claim needs independent verification. Publicly reported court documents contain competing allegations between Berry and Martinez, but they should not be mistaken for judicial findings of wrongdoing.
10
A Daughter Who Grew Up Away From Hollywood
Nahla was born on March 16, 2008, during Berry’s relationship with Canadian model Gabriel Aubry.
From an early age, Berry made it clear that she wanted her daughter to enjoy a childhood without constant attention from photographers.
Although occasional paparazzi photographs appeared, Berry rarely shared revealing details about Nahla’s private life.
As Nahla grew older, her mother continued to emphasize the importance of independence, confidence, and protecting her personal boundaries.
Now 18, Nahla has largely remained outside the entertainment industry, despite growing up with one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses as her mother.
9
The Allegation That Brought the Family Back Into Court
The latest dispute centers on an alleged incident on September 26, 2026.
Berry’s former husband, French actor Olivier Martinez, accused her of physically mistreating their son, Maceo, during a disagreement involving a virtual-reality game.
Martinez alleged that Berry put her hands around the boy’s neck. He subsequently sought sole custody and obtained a temporary restraining order.
Berry strongly denied the accusation. She described the encounter as playful physical interaction rather than abuse and disputed Martinez’s version of events.
The court temporarily restricted her contact with Maceo while the case proceeded, with another hearing scheduled for October 16.
These are contested allegations, not established findings that Berry abused her son.
The Daily Beast
+1
5
Nahla Breaks Her Silence With a Court Declaration
For years, Nahla had rarely spoken publicly about her family. But at 18, she submitted a written declaration to Los Angeles Superior Court defending her mother.
Her statement directly challenged Martinez’s accusations.
Nahla wrote:
“I have never witnessed her act violently toward anyone.”
She also said she had never observed abusive parenting by her mother and described Berry as affectionate, supportive, and actively involved in her children’s lives.
According to Nahla, she had seen her mother and younger brother wrestle playfully, laugh, and tickle each other, but had never witnessed the violent conduct alleged in the court proceedings.
Her declaration was a significant development because she had spent much of her life living with Maceo and was speaking from her own experience within the household.
Los Angeles Times
+1
A Sister Speaks About Her Younger Brother
9
Nahla’s declaration was not limited to defending Berry.
She also expressed concern about Maceo and the effect the legal dispute was having on their family.
She described her younger brother as sometimes impulsive and said that, when she last spoke to him after the alleged September incident, he did not appear upset.
That observation represents Nahla’s account, not an independent determination of what occurred.
She also explained that the temporary restraining order had affected her ability to communicate with her brother.
The emotional weight of the situation was evident in her statements: she wanted to defend her mother while also expressing concern for Maceo’s well-being.
The Independent
The Family’s Complicated History
Berry and Martinez married in July 2013, several months before welcoming Maceo.
Their marriage ended in separation in 2015, but their divorce was not finalized until August 2023.
The settlement established joint custody and addressed education, counseling, and financial support.
Their disputes continued after the divorce, particularly around parenting decisions and therapeutic support for their son.
In the latest filings, Berry has accused Martinez of undermining her relationship with Maceo and interfering with co-parenting arrangements. Martinez disputes her position and has pursued changes to custody.
Both parents have presented sharply different accounts of the family’s difficulties.
Los Angeles Times
+1
RARE PHOTOS: Halle Berry’s Family Through the Years
Before Nahla’s Birth
Berry and model Gabriel Aubry were together when they welcomed their daughter in 2008.
Nahla’s Childhood
The actress worked to protect her daughter’s privacy despite intense public interest.
A Second Family Chapter
Berry and Martinez welcomed Maceo in 2013, the same year they married.
Nahla Grows Up
Now 18, Nahla has generally remained outside the celebrity spotlight.
2026 — A Public Family Dispute
Berry continues her acting career while navigating renewed custody litigation.
Why Nahla’s Statement Matters
The striking aspect of this story is not simply that a celebrity’s daughter spoke publicly.
It is that Nahla, who has largely avoided public attention, chose to submit a formal statement during a deeply personal legal dispute.
Her words provide a firsthand perspective on her experiences with Berry and Maceo.
They do not resolve every factual question before the court, but they directly contradict the allegations Martinez has made.
Nahla also recalled the widely reported 2012 physical altercation between Martinez and her father, Gabriel Aubry, saying she remembered witnessing violence involving the two men when she was younger.
Los Angeles Times
What Happens Next?
As of October 10, 2026, the legal proceedings remain unresolved.
The next hearing is scheduled for October 16, when the court is expected to consider the protective order and related custody issues.
Berry continues to deny physically abusing Maceo, while Martinez maintains his allegations.
Nahla’s declaration is now part of the broader record that the court may consider.
The central revelation is that Halle Berry’s usually private daughter has publicly defended her mother — not accused her.
Her statement reflects both her loyalty to Berry and her concern for her younger brother during a painful family dispute.
Ultimately, the court must evaluate the evidence, while the children’s safety and well-being remain the most important considerations.
Speaking of celebrity families, you might be interested to see how Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban’s daughter is all grown up or learn about Simone Biles’ unique family story.
