Angelina Jolie Says Single Motherhood 'Saved' Her Amid Ongoing Healing Journey
In a new interview with British Vogue, Angelina Jolie offered rare personal insights into how being a single mom has grounded her amid turbulent times. Following her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016, Jolie credits her six children with providing meaning and guiding her growth through an ongoing 'transition' as she continues prioritizing therapy and healing.
Becoming a Young Single Mom 'Saved' Jolie
Jolie revealed that having kids at a young age deeply transformed her path, sharing: “I became a mom at 27. My life completely changed after having children – I had to grow up and learn to be responsible. My children saved me because they needed me to live in this world in a different way.”
The 47-year-old superstar had her first child, son Maddox, while married to actor Billy Bob Thornton in 2002. She then adopted Zahara in 2005. After coupling with Brad Pitt, the pair grew their family, having three biological children together.
Jolie believes that without the responsibility of motherhood, she may have ventured down much darker paths. The joy and meaning provided by her kids compelled her personal evolution.
Navigating Divorce While Prioritizing Her Children
Now divorced from Pitt since 2019, the Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-stars have six children together – Maddox, 21, Pax, 19, Zahara, 18, Shiloh, 17, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15. Jolie treasured focusing on their wellbeing throughout the tumultuous split, which sparked intense tabloid frenzy.
“I have six very individual human beings in my home,” she told Vogue. “I am so excited about all the different stages and feelings and curiosities that they go through. Why wouldn’t you be?”
Continuing Her Emotional and Spiritual Growth
While proudly watching her children thrive, Jolie also acknowledges she is very much still in the midst of her own personal evolution: “I’m in a transition in my life...I feel like I’m lacking a bit of connection to people, I’m lacking a bit of joy. I’m a work in progress.”
The humanitarian and special envoy for refugees remains in therapy and credits alternative practices like yoga, acupuncture and Reiki with supporting her self-discovery.
By bravely sharing insights into her emotional struggles and resilience, Jolie furthers public understanding of how trauma and loss ripple through families. Though not without hardship, her journey shows the incredible spirit that can emerge when we center on compassion and healing.
