Portman: 'I'm ready to be a mother'

Natalie Portman has revealed that she wants to be a mother.

The 28-year-old actress, who is apparently single, said that she now feels responsible enough to settle down and start a family.

Portman told Parade magazine: "I feel like I'm coming into my womanhood, and I'm less afraid or maybe I'm just getting old. I think about having kids, but I think you can't plan for that sort of thing. It's not like you can work at it."

Talking about her role in new film Brothers, she continued: "It was such a fantastic opportunity because so many parts written for females my age are just like the cute, girlish love interest. To get to play a real woman who's really strong and a good mother was really a great opportunity."

Portman added: "It was not that challenging to be mother-ish because I have the most maternal mum in the world. So I've had a role model for my entire life."