Who is Natasa Stankovic? Here's what we know about Hardik Pandya's estranged wife
Hardik Pandya and Natasa Stankovic
After months of speculations, Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya and Serbian model and dancer Natsa Stankovic have announced their separation. The couple who married in 2020 share a four-year-old son Agastya.
On Wednesday, a day before the couple announced their separation, Natasa was spotted at Mumbai's international airport with son Agastya leaving the city. Most speculated that she was heading back to her home in Serbia.
Back in 2020, when Hardik and Natasa announced their engagement, many fans were surprised. The two reportedly had met at a nightclub in Mumbai in 2018 and in 2019, Natasa had even called Hardik her best friend as she had wished him on social media.
At that time, Hardik was a young talent in the Indian cricket team - who everyone was excited to watch play. A flamboyant personality off the field, Hardik was paired to other women as well. But his elaborate proposal to Natasa on a yacht in Dubai on January 1, 2020, had surprised his fans.
Meanwhile, Natasa too was a known face in the entertainment industry when she was first linked to Hardik Pandya.
Early beginnings
Born in March 1992 in Serbia, Natasa started her career as a model and moved to India to make a name for herself in glamour. She first featured in a special song in Prakash Jha's Satyagraha. She then featured in multiple ad campaigns. Natasa shot to fame when she featured in the music of chart-topping number DJ Waley Babuby Badshah and Aastha Gill.
Reality shows and relationship with Aly Goni
Natasa also featured in the eighth season of Bigg Boss in 2014 and was inside the house for a month before she got eliminated. Her stint, though was successful and made her a well-known face on TV. She also featured in the dance reality show Nach Baliye along with her then-boyfriend, actor Aly Goni.
Aly and Natasa were briefly engaged before they broke up. Soon after, she was linked to Hardik Pandya. The exact reason for separating from Aly Goni was never disclosed but reports stated that Natasa and Aly grew apart due to cultural differences.
Three weddings
Natasa and Hardik had a lockdown wedding in May 2020. The same year, they welcomed the birth of their son Agastya. On February 14, 2023, Hardik and Natasa renewed their vows and remarried again. This time in a Hindu as well as a Christian ceremony. The pair also hosted a lavish bash at a luxury hotel in Udaipur.
Separation rumours
Rumours of their separation started doing the rounds earlier this year when Natasa dropped 'Pandya' from her name on social media. A Reddit user also questioned her absence from IPL 2024. Natasa was seen cheering for Hardik in the previous seasons. Fans also noticed that she had not posted Hardik's photo in a while.
'We tried our best'
On Thursday, the couple announced that they have decided to "mutually part ways" in an Instagram post. The couple said that they "tried their best" and "gave it their all" before taking the tough decision.
The couple also announced that they will continue to co-parent their son Agastya.Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, wife Natasa Stankovic 'mutually' part ways
"After 4 years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways. we tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for both of us. This was a touch decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew a family," the post read.
