Angelina Jolie is much more than just a Hollywood icon. She’s an actress, director, humanitarian activist, and one of the most talked-about celebrities in the world. From her wild youth to her adoptions, marriages, and controversial choices—here are 16 facts about Angelina Jolie.
1. She comes from a famous film family
Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, the daughter of Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. Despite her father’s Hollywood fame, Jolie had a complicated relationship with him and even dropped his surname at one point.
2. Her teenage years were quite dark
As a teenager, Jolie went through a rebellious and self-destructive phase. She experimented with drugs, struggled with mental health, and later admitted to self-harm. She has spoken openly about this dark time and how acting ultimately saved her.
3. She has an obsession with knives and blood
Jolie has admitted to having a fascination with knives and even owns a collection. During her relationship with Billy Bob Thornton, they wore vials of each other’s blood as necklaces—fueling endless tabloid stories at the time.
4. Her first marriage at 20 was wild
In 1996, Jolie married British actor Jonny Lee Miller, known from Trainspotting. Instead of a traditional wedding dress, Jolie wore a white shirt with Miller’s name written in her own blood on the back. They divorced three years later but remained friends.
5. The controversial kiss with her brother
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During the 2000 Oscars, where she won for Girl, Interrupted, Jolie kissed her brother James Haven on the lips. This sparked major controversy and rumors of something strange between them. Jolie later called it “an innocent expression of love.”
6. She once registered to become a funeral director
In an interview, Jolie revealed that as a teen she was obsessed with death and even considered training to become a funeral director. She planned to leave the film industry and start a career in the funeral business.
7. The rumors about her affair with Brad Pitt
In 2004, Jolie and Brad Pitt co-starred in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Sparks flew while Brad was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Though Jolie denied any cheating, she was seen as the “homewrecker” who split up Hollywood’s golden couple.
8. She adopted her first child in Cambodia
While filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia, Jolie fell in love with the country and decided to adopt a child. In 2002, she adopted Maddox, marking the beginning of her large family.
9. Her marriages
Jolie has been married three times:
- Jonny Lee Miller (1996–1999) – her punk-rock marriage.
- Billy Bob Thornton (2000–2003) – a wild, eccentric relationship complete with blood necklaces and outrageous public displays of affection.
- Brad Pitt (2014–2019) – the iconic Brangelina era, which ended in a very messy divorce with custody battles and domestic violence allegations.
10. The Angelina Jolie effect: a rise in adoptions
Following her adoptions from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam, global attention on international adoption surged. This trend became known as the “Angelina Jolie effect”.
11. She underwent preventive surgeries against cancer
In 2013, Jolie revealed she had a double mastectomy after discovering a high risk of breast cancer. She later had her ovaries removed as well. She was praised for her openness and raising awareness about the issue.
12. She had a public feud with her father
Jolie and her father, Jon Voight, had a strained relationship for years. He publicly accused her of mental issues, prompting her to cut off contact. Their bond only began to heal after she had children of her own.
13. She was once the highest-paid actress in the world
At her peak, Jolie was one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. For her role in Maleficent (2014), she earned a whopping $33 million, making her the highest-paid actress of the year.
14. Her role as Lara Croft changed everything
Although Jolie was already successful, her portrayal of Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2001) catapulted her to international superstardom. The film was a financial success despite mixed reviews, and it cemented her image as a badass action heroine.
15. The bitter custody battle with Brad Pitt
Following her 2016 divorce from Brad Pitt, a lengthy custody battle ensued over their six children. Jolie alleged Pitt had committed domestic violence during a private jet incident. Pitt denied it, but the legal fight dragged on for years and dominated tabloid headlines.
16. She remains a humanitarian force
Despite the controversies, Jolie continues her humanitarian work. She spent years as a UN ambassador for refugees, visited conflict zones, and donated millions to charity. Her work has been internationally recognized—even if her personal life still steals the spotlight.
Angelina Jolie is one of the most intriguing celebrities of our time. From her rebellious youth to her transformation into a humanitarian icon, she has always maintained a mysterious, wild, and powerful image. Her life story continues to fascinate Hollywood—and that likely won’t change anytime soon.
