Angelina Jolie is entering a new chapter — and she's letting the world in on it, one honest answer at a time. In a candid new interview with L'Officiel USA, the Oscar-winning actress opened up about her close bond with her six children, describing them as confident individuals who know her better than anyone. The comments land at a sensitive moment, as the rift between the kids and their father, Brad Pitt, appears to be deepening.
"They're Definitely Individuals" — Jolie's Rare Parenting Comments
Speaking to L'Officiel USA, Jolie reflected on watching her children — Maddox (25), Pax (22), Zahara (21), Shiloh (20), and twins Knox and Vivienne (18) — grow into their own people. She said her proudest achievement as a parent has been resisting the urge to steer them toward any particular path.
According to Jolie, the goal was never to shape her kids into a certain image of success, but to protect the space for them to become whoever they wanted to be — even when that meant stepping back and simply watching from the sidelines.
"They're definitely individuals. That makes me very proud, because one of the most important things, I think, is to basically not get in their way."
— Angelina Jolie, to L'Officiel USAShe added that being a parent means learning to support "this human being who has a life separate from yours" — a philosophy she says has guided her through some of the hardest and most vulnerable moments of raising six kids largely in the public eye.
Mom on the Movie Set: Working With Maddox and Pax
Two of Jolie's sons, Maddox and Pax, have taken a hands-on interest in filmmaking and have worked as assistant directors on their mother's recent projects, including her latest film, Without Blood. Jolie said she loves having them on set, but is careful about how she shows up in that environment.
Rather than acting as their boss or mentor, she says she tries first and foremost to just be "mom" — present, protective, and proud, while letting them find their own footing in the industry the same way any young crew member would have to.
🎬 Behind the scenes: Jolie says that if her children want to work in film, she encourages them to learn every department from the ground up — not just direct from behind the camera.
A New Chapter: Why Jolie Is Finally Ready to Leave Los Angeles
Alongside the interview, Jolie confirmed she has listed her longtime Los Angeles residence — the historic Cecil B. DeMille estate in the gated Laughlin Park enclave of Los Feliz — for $29.85 million. She purchased the 1913 Beaux-Arts compound in 2017 for $24.5 million, shortly after her split from Brad Pitt.
Jolie has said in past interviews that she stayed rooted in Los Angeles largely because of the custody arrangement tied to her divorce, which required her to keep the city as her primary residence. With Knox and Vivienne — the youngest of her six children — now both 18, that requirement has ended, freeing her to relocate.
Jolie says she plans to spend significant time outside the United States going forward, splitting her time between countries rather than settling permanently in one place, while keeping a home base for family gatherings and milestones. She has spoken previously about deepening her humanitarian work in Cambodia, where her eldest son Maddox was born.
Four of Her Kids Have Legally Dropped the "Pitt" Name
The warmth of Jolie's comments stands in contrast to the reported distance between several of the children and their father. Over the past few years, Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, and most recently Vivienne, have each taken legal steps to drop "Pitt" from their names, according to court filings. Pax and Knox have not made the same change.
People close to Jolie say she isn't looking to fuel the conflict or make public accusations, and hopes the family can eventually move toward healing. Those close to Pitt, meanwhile, have described him as deeply saddened by the distance from his children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Angelina Jolie leaving Los Angeles?
Jolie says she stayed in LA mainly because of the custody arrangement from her divorce, which required her to keep the city as her primary residence. Now that her youngest children, twins Knox and Vivienne, have turned 18, that requirement no longer applies.
How much is Angelina Jolie selling her house for?
Jolie has listed her historic Cecil B. DeMille estate in Los Feliz for $29.85 million. She purchased the property in 2017 for $24.5 million.
Which of Angelina Jolie's kids dropped the last name "Pitt"?
According to legal filings, Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, and Vivienne have each filed to remove "Pitt" from their names. Pax and Knox have not made the same change.
Do Maddox and Pax work with their mom on her films?
Yes. Both sons have worked as assistant directors on Jolie's recent film projects, including her latest movie, Without Blood.
The Bottom Line
Angelina Jolie is closing one chapter and opening another — proud of the six kids she raised largely on her own terms, and finally free to leave the city she says she stayed in mostly out of necessity. As her family's story with Brad Pitt continues to play out in the background, Jolie's focus, by her own account, remains firmly on her children and what comes next.
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