Natalie Wihongi is a New Zealand makeup artist who built a career working behind the scenes in film and television. Born in Auckland, she developed professional makeup skills and later worked on screen productions and with modelling agencies.
She became widely known through her relationship with New Zealand actor Karl Urban. The couple married in 2004, raised two sons together, and separated in 2014 after around ten years of marriage.
This biography explores Natalie Wihongi’s early life, education, makeup career, marriage to Karl Urban, children, divorce, personal life, and net worth. It also looks at where she is now and her life away from celebrity attention.
Who Is Natalie Wihongi?
Natalie Wihongi is a professional makeup artist from Auckland, New Zealand. She has worked in the entertainment industry, where her makeup skills brought her opportunities to contribute to film and television productions.
Her name became more familiar after she began a relationship with actor Karl Urban. Interestingly, Natalie reportedly worked as a makeup artist on The Privateers, a production that also featured Urban.
Although her former husband built an international acting career, Natalie followed a different path. She largely remained behind the camera and continued to live a much quieter life outside the Hollywood spotlight.
Natalie Wihongi’s Age and Early Life
Natalie Wihongi was born on 8 March 1972 in Auckland, New Zealand. Based on this birth date, she is 54 years old in 2026. Her zodiac sign is Pisces, and she is a New Zealander.
She spent her early years in Auckland and completed her secondary education at Epsom Girls’ Grammar School. She later attended makeup school, where she developed skills that supported her future professional career.
Natalie eventually entered the entertainment industry as a makeup artist. Instead of pursuing acting herself, she found opportunities working behind the scenes and became involved with screen productions during the early stages of her career.
Her Career as a Makeup Artist
Natalie Wihongi established herself professionally as a makeup artist. Her work required creative ability and attention to detail, helping performers achieve the appearance needed for different characters and screen productions.
One of her earliest listed professional projects was The Privateers in 2000. She later worked on the television production Rain in 2002, adding another screen credit to her developing makeup career.
Her experience was not limited to film and television. Natalie also reportedly provided makeup services for different modelling agencies, allowing her to use her skills across several areas of the beauty and entertainment industries.
How Natalie Wihongi Met Karl Urban
Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban had a professional connection before becoming known as a celebrity couple. Natalie worked as a makeup artist on The Privateers, a project in which Karl Urban appeared as an actor.
Their connection eventually developed into a long-term romantic relationship. As Urban’s acting career continued to grow, Natalie remained involved in her own work while the couple built their personal life together.
After being together for several years, Natalie and Karl decided to marry. Their relationship attracted greater public interest as Urban became increasingly recognizable through major television and film roles.
Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban’s Marriage
Natalie Wihongi married Karl Urban in September 2004. By that point, the pair had already shared a long relationship and were building a family together in New Zealand.
Their marriage lasted for about a decade. During those years, Urban’s acting career expanded internationally, while Natalie generally remained outside the spotlight and maintained a considerably quieter public presence.
In June 2014, Natalie and Karl announced that they had decided to separate. Despite ending their marriage, their focus remained on maintaining their family relationship and reducing the impact of the separation on their children.
Why Did Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban Separate?
Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban announced their separation in June 2014 after approximately ten years of marriage. They handled the announcement with a strong focus on their family and children.
When the separation became known, the couple explained that they remained committed to maintaining their family relationship. They also wanted to work together so their children would be affected as little as possible.
They did not provide an extensive explanation about the personal reasons behind their separation. Instead, they asked for privacy for their family and avoided turning their divorce into a prolonged public discussion.
Natalie Wihongi’s Children
Natalie Wihongi shares two sons with Karl Urban, named Hunter Urban and Indiana Urban. Their children became an important part of the couple’s lives both during and after their marriage.
Their son Indiana received his name because of Karl’s fondness for the Indiana Jones franchise. Urban has also spoken warmly about fatherhood and the importance of providing children with love, support, and room to learn.
Even after Natalie and Karl separated, they remained focused on their responsibilities as parents. Their separation statement made their children a clear priority, highlighting their intention to continue working together as a family.
Who Is Natalie Wihongi’s Ex-Husband, Karl Urban?
Karl Urban is a New Zealand actor born on 7 June 1972 in Wellington. He became interested in acting at an early age and appeared in Pioneer Woman when he was around eight years old.
He attended St Mark’s Church School and Wellington College before enrolling at Victoria University of Wellington. However, he left his Bachelor of Arts studies after a year and focused more seriously on acting.
Karl eventually became internationally recognized through major screen projects. His credits include Dredd, Riddick, Hangman, Bent, The Sea Beast, and Gen V, alongside numerous other film and television appearances.
Karl Urban’s Relationship After Natalie
Following his separation from Natalie Wihongi, Karl Urban later entered another relationship. He was romantically involved with actress Katee Sackhoff, who is known for her work in television and film.
Their relationship reportedly lasted from 2014 until 2018. Sackhoff has appeared in several popular productions and developed her own successful career within the entertainment industry.
Natalie, meanwhile, did not maintain the same level of public exposure surrounding her personal relationships. Her life following the separation has generally remained quieter than her former husband’s celebrity career.
Natalie Wihongi’s Height and Appearance
Natalie Wihongi is reported to stand approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall, equivalent to around 160 centimetres. Her reported weight is about 60 kilograms, or approximately 132 pounds.
Her listed body measurements are 37-27-44 inches. Natalie has blonde hair and brown eyes, features that can also be seen in photographs associated with her public appearances.
Unlike many personalities connected with entertainment celebrities, Natalie has never built her reputation around fashion or physical appearance. Her recognition mainly comes from her makeup career and previous marriage to Karl Urban.
Natalie Wihongi’s Net Worth
Natalie Wihongi’s net worth has been estimated at around $1 million. Her professional career as a makeup artist is considered the main source of her personal earnings.
She has worked on film and television projects and has also provided makeup services within the modelling industry. These professional activities helped her develop an independent career behind the camera.
Her estimated fortune is considerably smaller than Karl Urban’s. His net worth has been estimated at around $20 million, largely reflecting his long-running international career as a television and film actor.
Where Is Natalie Wihongi Now?
Natalie Wihongi has continued to maintain a private lifestyle following her separation from Karl Urban. She is associated with Auckland, New Zealand, where she was born and spent much of her earlier life.
She does not seek the same level of media attention that surrounds her former husband. This quieter approach has allowed Natalie to keep much of her everyday personal life outside widespread celebrity coverage.
Her public story therefore remains closely connected with her makeup career, family, and former marriage. Even years after their separation, she continues to attract interest from people wanting to know more about Karl Urban’s former wife.
Final Thoughts
Natalie Wihongi is more than simply Karl Urban’s ex-wife. She developed her own professional identity as a makeup artist and worked on productions including The Privateers and Rain, as well as with modelling agencies.
Her marriage to Urban brought greater attention to her life. They married in 2004, welcomed two sons, Hunter and Indiana, and eventually announced their separation in June 2014.
Since then, Natalie has largely chosen privacy rather than continued celebrity exposure. Her story combines a behind-the-scenes entertainment career, motherhood, a high-profile former marriage, and a noticeably private lifestyle in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Natalie Wihongi?
Natalie Wihongi was born on 8 March 1972 in Auckland, New Zealand. She is 54 years old in 2026. She attended Epsom Girls’ Grammar School before studying makeup and developing a career in the entertainment industry.
What does Natalie Wihongi do for a living?
Natalie Wihongi is a professional makeup artist. She worked on The Privateers in 2000 and Rain in 2002. Her career has also included makeup work for modelling agencies and other professional projects.
Is Natalie Wihongi still married to Karl Urban?
No. Natalie Wihongi and Karl Urban married in September 2004 and announced their separation in June 2014. They remained committed to their family responsibilities and focused on protecting their children during the separation.
How many children does Natalie Wihongi have?
Natalie Wihongi has two sons with Karl Urban, Hunter Urban and Indiana Urban. Family remained an important priority following the couple’s separation, with both parents expressing their intention to maintain a supportive family relationship.
What is Natalie Wihongi’s net worth?
Natalie Wihongi’s net worth is estimated at around $1 million. Her wealth is mainly associated with her professional work as a makeup artist, including experience in film, television, and the modelling industry.
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