While most of the world was still in shock after learning about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s breakup, Hollywood’s most famous heartthrob Robert Pattinson was already making moves to revive his flagging movie career. After starring in several box-office hits, Pattinson landed a role in the highly anticipated live-action Harry Potter film series, and many anticipated the film-maker’s return to form after years of neglect.

But it seems that the pressure of living up to Hollywood’s highest standards got to Pattinson. Just a few short months after breaking up with Kardashian, the actor filed for divorce from his wife Vanessa Armfield and began a tumultuous romance with one of his costars. Now, thanks to a new documentary, Bel Ami, we get a more detailed picture of the troubled actor’s life and turbulent times.

Here’s what you need to know about Robert Pattinson.’

He Was Born On July 26th 1979

Pattinson was born in London to an English mother and French father. He has an older brother, Luke, who is also an actor. He started acting professionally at the age of five and a half, appearing in commercials, music videos, and TV shows, before landing a string of lead roles on the big screen. Most recently, he starred in the hit series Doom Patrol on DC Comics and is filming the sequel, Justice League, with Jason Momoa and Ryan Reynolds.

Pattinson grew up in London and attended several prestigious British schools – including Millfield, where he obtained his cricketing kit – and studied history of art at university.

Vanessa Is His Second Wife

The former Bond girl Vanessa Armfield became Pattinson’s second wife in 2012. The couple wed before the year was out and began living together in the actress’ New York City apartment. Their union was a quiet and simple affair compared to some of Pattinson’s previous celebrity marriages. He wed his first wife, Emily Brown, in 2004, and their tumultuous relationship became fodder for tabloids around the world. That same year, Brown filed for divorce and the two reached a settlement in which they would remain married but live apart, with Brown moving to a large house in Los Angeles and Pattinson living in London. In 2011, Brown spoke out about their famously tempestuous union, revealing that she had forgiven Pattinson for beating her and even considering their marriage “one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever experienced.” In 2018, Pattinson became a father for the first time, when his estranged wife Emily gave birth to their twin sons, Camden and Charley.

He Is An Established Sports Illustrated Cover Subject

Covering sports and pop culture has always been one of SI‘s specialties, and the publication’s iconic cover subjects have included Joey Logano and Aaron Hernandez. In 2011, SI named Pattinson as the British male’s first cover subject, heralding the 26-year-old Englishman as the future of fashion photography. The next year, he became the face of a prestigious French fragrance, Chanel’s No. 5 fragrance.

The fashion industry took note, and now Pattinson is regularly featured on the cover of major fashion magazines. Besides Vogue, Elle, GQ, and W magazines, his photos have been seen in Vanity Fair, Harper’s Bazaar , and Time.

He Is A Self-Proclaimed Fashion Icon

Speaking to Vogue in 2014, Pattinson cited his unique look and famous good looks as the reasons he had become so popular within the fashion industry. He also credited his personal style of blending masculine and feminine elements with a high degree of sophistication and cultural awareness as a cause of his enduring appeal.

“I would like to think that I’ve influenced designers in some way, and they’ve influenced me,” he said. “I would like to think that what people see in me is a reflection of something in themselves.”

Since then, the fashion icon has continued to influence the industry through his fashion choices – including his recent support for vegan and environmentally friendly clothing brands – and his public appearances at glamorous events and prestigious Hollywood parties, including the 2019 Met Gala.

And much like his fashion choices, Pattinson has also been known to shock the public with his private behavior. In the years since his first marriage ended, the actor has been linked to many high-profile women, including Kate Winslet and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. And while some may still mourn the loss of his previous marriage to Kardashian, Pattinson’s relationship with Vanesa is often cited as one of the industry’s most intriguing romances. The couple met on the set of the 2012 film The Hunger Games and were instantly drawn to each other’s strong personalities. Before the year was out, they were married in a small ceremony in the South of France. Since then, the couple have been spotted enjoying luxurious vacations, including a trip to Venice where they were photographed cavorting in a gondola.

While the romance was front-page news for several months, the couple’s high-profile union was overshadowed by the scandal that followed. In September 2014, People reported that Pattinson and Armfield had been named in a lawsuit filed by a woman seeking to dissolve their marriage. The actor denied the claims and the lawsuit was later settled out of court. Later that same year, the pair was hit with another lawsuit when a man accused Pattinson of assault and battery.

He Is A Self-Taught Expert In Luxury Furniture And Stairs Design

In 2016, Pattinson co-designed and co-produced the limited-edition furniture collection The London for the prestigious French brand, Sergio Rossi. The collection, which was inspired by the contemporary London lifestyle and the city’s famous red buses, consisted of a dining table, four stools, and a chaise lounge. All objects in the collection are constructed of a solid walnut veneer and metal frames and features leather and nailhead trim. The pieces were inspired by both the city’s contemporary art scene and its architectural heritage.

That same year, he completed his design education with an honors degree in interior architecture from University College London. He is now pursuing a career in interior design.

His Design Style

While most designers work with luxury houses like Burberry , Dior , or Prada to bring their designs to life, Pattinson has chosen to work with smaller brands and independent designers, such as Eco Isle and Sergio Rossi Designer Furniture. He also frequently collaborates with famed Japanese designer Yasuharu Kawabatabe to bring his unique blend of contemporary art and cultural references to life in elaborate interiors.

As mentioned, since landing his first cover story with SI in 2011, Pattinson has been a prominent figure in the fashion industry. Since then, his international celebrity and unique personal style have influenced a generation of designers and given rise to a lifestyle brand, RPattz (a pun on his nickname “Rob”—short for Robert—and the fashion industry’s continued reference to him as “the bachelor king”).

Now, with his marriage to Vanessa over, the famous face-stealer has begun to focus on his personal life, and the opportunities such a focus affords him as an entertainer and role model. In the coming months, we’ll see a new side of Pattinson as he explores a more creative and private side.