Angelina Jolie – Biography
Early Life and Family Background
Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand. Her parents separated when she was just a year old, and she was primarily raised by her mother, who left her own acting career to focus on her children. Jolie grew up in the Hollywood spotlight but often struggled with emotional and personal issues in her youth. She attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and later Beverly Hills High School, where she felt like an outsider. Despite a turbulent adolescence marked by self-doubt and experimentation, she found refuge in acting and began pursuing it seriously by her late teens.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Jolie’s early work included music videos and small film roles, but her breakout came with the 1998 HBO film “Gia,” where she portrayed supermodel Gia Carangi. The role earned her a Golden Globe and established her as a serious actress. She followed this success with an Academy Award-winning performance in “Girl, Interrupted” (1999), where her portrayal of a troubled mental patient drew critical acclaim. By the early 2000s, she had become a Hollywood star, known for her intensity and magnetic screen presence.
Stardom and Action Roles
Angelina Jolie cemented her status as an international icon with action-packed blockbusters like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001), “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” (2005), and “Salt” (2010). Her role as Lara Croft brought her global fame and showcased her physicality and fierce on-screen persona. She demonstrated versatility in films like “A Mighty Heart” (2007), where she portrayed journalist Mariane Pearl, and “Changeling” (2008), directed by Clint Eastwood, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Jolie’s roles combined emotional depth with physical prowess, making her one of the most bankable actresses of her generation.
Directorial Work and Humanitarian Efforts
In the 2010s, Jolie expanded her work behind the camera, directing and writing films such as “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (2011), “Unbroken” (2014), and “First They Killed My Father” (2017). Her directorial efforts often focused on human rights, war, and survival, reflecting her commitment to global issues. Alongside her film career, she became one of the world’s most prominent humanitarian figures, serving as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and later Special Envoy. She has traveled extensively to war zones and refugee camps, advocating for displaced communities and women’s rights around the globe.
Personal Life and Family
Angelina Jolie’s personal life has often drawn public attention, from her marriages to Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton to her high-profile relationship with Brad Pitt. The couple, dubbed “Brangelina,” married in 2014 after years of being together but separated in 2016. Jolie is the mother of six children, three of whom were adopted from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam. Her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy in 2013 after discovering a genetic predisposition to breast cancer was widely praised for raising awareness about women’s health. Despite intense media scrutiny, she has focused on raising her children and using her platform for advocacy.
Business Ventures and Advocacy
Jolie has used her influence not only for humanitarian causes but also to promote environmental and social awareness through film and public speaking. She co-founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support community development in Cambodia and has launched initiatives focused on conservation, education, and women’s empowerment. While not heavily involved in commercial business ventures, she continues to invest her time and resources into advocacy projects that align with her values. Her ability to balance entertainment, activism, and parenting reflects her multifaceted identity as both a celebrity and global changemaker.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s journey from rebellious teen to one of the most respected actresses and humanitarians in the world is a story of transformation and purpose. Her work on screen, behind the camera, and across global humanitarian efforts illustrates a commitment to meaningful storytelling and real-world impact. Whether acting in a blockbuster, directing a war drama, or advocating at the United Nations, Jolie continues to use her fame not for personal gain but as a platform for change and compassion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many children does Angelina Jolie have?
She has six children, three biological and three adopted, including Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
What humanitarian work does Angelina Jolie do?
She has worked extensively with the UNHCR, advocating for refugees, women’s rights, and children in conflict zones.
What was Angelina Jolie’s breakthrough film?
Her breakthrough role came in the HBO film “Gia” (1998), followed by “Girl, Interrupted” (1999), for which she won an Oscar.
Was Angelina Jolie married to Brad Pitt?
Yes, they were married in 2014 after years together but separated in 2016. They share six children.
What is Angelina Jolie’s directing style known for?
Her directorial work often tackles serious social and political themes, focusing on human rights and survival stories.