Beyond Elizabeth Bennet: The Fascinating Career and Personal Life of Keira Knightley

British actress Keira Knightley (born March 26, 1985) has built a Hollywood career that most can only dream of. Getting her start as a child actor, she skyrocketed to global fame in 2003 with a powerful one-two punch: the indie hit Bend It Like Beckham and the blockbuster mega-franchise Pirates of the Caribbean.

Knightley’s range extends far beyond summer popcorn flicks. Her breathtaking portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in Joe Wright's 2005 adaptation of Pride & Prejudice earned her Best Actress nominations at both the Oscars and the Golden Globes. She proved this was no fluke two years later, securing Golden Globe and BAFTA nods for her devastating performance in the period drama Atonement. By 2008, Forbes ranked her as Hollywood's second-highest-paid actress, reporting that she pulled in a massive $32 million in 2007—making her the only non-American star on the high-earners list.

Currently residing in London, Knightley is dating her Pride & Prejudice co-star, Rupert Friend. Despite constant media speculation, she has made it clear that walking down the aisle isn't in her near future. Her past relationships include Northern Irish model Jamie Dornan and actor Del Synnott. Following her split from Synnott, rumors circulated that he had attempted suicide due to the breakup—a claim that both Knightley and Synnott have vehemently denied.

Living under the intense lens of paparazzi scrutiny has forced Knightley to defend herself more than once. She has repeatedly denied rumors of having an eating disorder, though she did note that her family has a history of anorexia. The actress successfully took a stand against toxic media culture by suing the Daily Mail. The paper had published an article implying her slender physique contributed to the tragic death of an anorexic teenager. Knightley won the legal battle and received a financial settlement.

The unrelenting pace of her early twenties also took a heavy toll. In mid-2006, Knightley candidly labeled herself a workaholic, admitting that five years of non-stop shooting had blurred into one long memory. Expressing fear that her grueling schedule would cause her to grow to hate her craft, she hinted at taking a year-long sabbatical to travel, step back from the cameras, and focus entirely on her personal life.

What's your favorite Keira Knightley performance? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!