Angelina Jolie has faced many challenges in her life. She grew up in a broken home, experienced bullying and heartbreak, and lost loved ones to cancer.
Her parents separated when she was young.
Angelina Jolie was born in June 1975 in Los Angeles, California, to actors John Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Jolie’s father had an affair with actress Stacey Pickren, which led to the breakup of his marriage.
Despite this, Voight remained in contact with his ex-wife and children. However, it became more difficult to meet after Bertrand moved with her children to New York. Jolie recalls that the family had to move frequently during this time.
Additionally, Jolie experienced bullying in school.
As a teenager, Jolie knew being different was not socially acceptable. Her peers often ridiculed her for her individuality. Despite this, Jolie remained true to herself, wearing black clothes and experimenting with hair colors.
Jolie tried modeling to earn money like her classmates but received negative feedback from agents criticizing her for being ‘too short’ and ‘too fat.’ However, she persevered and began receiving modeling offers by the age of 16.
It’s worth noting that Jolie also dealt with drug abuse.
According to Page Six, in 2010, a drug dealer claimed to have supplied drugs to Angelina Jolie. He even alleged that she was ‘high on cocaine’ while promoting her 2000 film ‘Girl Interrupted.’
The Associated Press reported that Angelina Jolie agreed to be tested for drugs while filming ‘Tomb Raider’ as she wanted to shed her early reputation.
It is also reported that Billy Bob Thornton did not support her after they adopted a child.
Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton fell in love while filming the 1999 movie ‘Pushing Tin’ and married in 2000. However, they ended their relationship a few years later due to having different lifestyles.
Despite this, they were still married when Jolie adopted her son, Maddox. They separated a few months after Maddox’s adoption.
In 2008, Angelina Jolie battled postpartum depression after giving birth to her twins, Vivienne and Knox.
According to NBC News, Jolie was exhausted from looking after six children and recovering from her C-section delivery.
Additionally, as reported by US Magazine, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce turned ugly after developing feelings for each other while shooting ‘Mr & Mrs. Smith’ in 2005. In a 2007 Vogue interview, Jolie stated that she and Brad Pitt shared similar life goals and could relate to each other. The couple, parents of six children, got married in 2014.
However, in September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce and became embroiled in a legal battle with Pitt over custody of their children. Eventually, they reached a compromise. Jolie was granted full physical custody, while Pitt was granted visitation rights.
In a 2021 article by The Guardian, Jolie accused Brad Pitt of domestic abuse and expressed concern for her family’s safety. As of 2022, they are still in court to establish a healthy joint custody relationship.