Angelina Jolie: A look at her marriages
Angelina Jolie, a name synonymous with Hollywood stardom, has captivated audiences not only with her powerful on-screen presence but also with her dynamic personal life. Throughout her career, her relationships and marriages have often been a subject of intense media scrutiny. While her filmography is extensive and critically acclaimed, understanding who was married to Angelina Jolie offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of her personal journey. With three notable marriages, each chapter of her romantic life has been distinct, marked by unique circumstances, shared experiences, and ultimately, significant life lessons. Exploring these past unions provides a deeper appreciation for the woman behind the iconic roles, revealing a complex tapestry of love, partnership, and personal growth.
Jonny Lee Miller: Her first husband
Angelina Jolie’s first foray into matrimony was with British actor Jonny Lee Miller. The couple met on the set of the 1995 film Hackers, a sci-fi thriller that brought them together. Their connection was immediate and intense, leading to a whirlwind romance and marriage. They tied the knot on March 28, 1996, in a ceremony that reflected their youthful and artistic spirits. Notably, Jolie famously wore a white t-shirt with her new husband’s name written in blood on the back, a testament to their unconventional and passionate bond. Their marriage, however, was relatively short-lived. Despite the initial fervor, the demands of their burgeoning careers and differing lifestyles eventually led to their separation. They officially divorced in 2000, marking the end of their first significant marital chapter. Even after their divorce, there has been a sense of lingering connection, with reports of them remaining on good terms, a testament to the unique foundation of their early relationship.
Billy Bob Thornton: A whirlwind romance and marriage
Following her divorce from Jonny Lee Miller, Angelina Jolie embarked on another passionate and highly publicized relationship with actor Billy Bob Thornton. Their meeting occurred while they were filming the movie Pushing Tin in 1999. The chemistry between them was undeniable, and their romance quickly escalated. Thornton, who has been married a total of six times, found himself drawn to Jolie’s unconventional spirit. They married in May 2000, just a month after Jolie’s divorce from Miller was finalized. This union was characterized by its passionate intensity and a penchant for the dramatic, most famously exemplified by their unique practice of wearing lockets containing each other’s blood. This symbolic gesture highlighted the deep, albeit unconventional, connection they shared. Their marriage lasted for three years, concluding in 2003. Billy Bob Thornton has since described their breakup as a “civilized breakup,” attributing it to their vastly different lifestyles and the intense media attention that surrounded them. Despite the divorce, Thornton has maintained that he and Angelina Jolie remain very close friends, a sentiment that speaks to the enduring respect and affection they hold for one another. Their shared experience, including the initial stages of adopting a child from Cambodia, formed a significant part of Jolie’s personal journey as she began to explore motherhood as a single parent.
Brad Pitt: A high-profile relationship and family
The most widely recognized and followed relationship in Angelina Jolie’s marital history was undoubtedly with fellow Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt. Their paths first crossed on the set of the action-packed film Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004, during which time Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. The undeniable chemistry between Jolie and Pitt, often referred to as “Brangelina” by the media, sparked a global fascination that lasted for over a decade. After a lengthy period of dating and co-parenting, they finally married on August 23, 2014, in a private ceremony at their French estate, Château Miraval. This union was not just a celebrity coupling; it was the foundation of a large and blended family. Their relationship was marked by their shared commitment to humanitarian causes, their extensive travels, and, most significantly, their six children. The journey of their family, from its unconventional beginnings to its eventual dissolution, remained a constant source of public interest and discussion.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s children
One of the most defining aspects of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s relationship was the family they built together. Their brood consisted of six children, a mix of adopted and biological offspring, who became central figures in their public narrative. The eldest is Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, whom Jolie adopted as a single parent from Cambodia in 2002, prior to her marriage to Pitt. Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt was adopted from Vietnam in 2007, also by Jolie as a single parent, and later adopted by Pitt. Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt was adopted from Ethiopia in 2005. The couple also welcomed three biological children: Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, born in Namibia in 2006, followed by twins Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt, born in Nice, France, in 2008. The blended family became a powerful symbol of modern parenthood in Hollywood, with their children often accompanying them on humanitarian trips and red carpet events, showcasing a united front that resonated with many.
Who was married to Angelina Jolie: A summary of her life
Reflecting on the question, “Who was married to Angelina Jolie,” reveals a fascinating timeline of significant relationships that have shaped her personal and public life. Her marital journey began with Jonny Lee Miller in the mid-1990s, a union that was both unconventional and indicative of her early, free-spirited nature. This was followed by a more intense and publicly scrutinized marriage to Billy Bob Thornton, characterized by its passionate intensity and unique expressions of love, such as the infamous blood lockets. Finally, her long-term partnership and marriage to Brad Pitt dominated headlines for over a decade, creating a prominent Hollywood family and a shared life that captivated the world. Each of these marriages represents a distinct chapter, contributing to the complex and multifaceted persona of Angelina Jolie, a woman who has navigated the highs and lows of love, family, and fame with remarkable resilience.
Billy Bob Thornton’s perspective on their marriage
Billy Bob Thornton has spoken candidly about his marriage to Angelina Jolie, often highlighting its unique and intense nature. He has described their relationship as one that “totally changed overnight” for Jolie, suggesting a profound and rapid transformation that occurred during their time together. Thornton, who has experienced multiple marriages, noted that the media interest surrounding their union was “pretty weird,” underscoring the extraordinary level of public attention they attracted. He has also characterized their divorce as a “civilized breakup,” attributing it to the considerable differences in their lifestyles. Despite the eventual end of their marriage, which lasted from 2000 to 2003, Thornton has consistently emphasized the enduring friendship he shares with Jolie. This continued closeness, even after their romantic relationship concluded, speaks volumes about the deep bond and mutual respect that formed the foundation of their shared history.
The story behind the blood lockets
One of the most enduring and talked-about aspects of Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton’s marriage was their unique practice of wearing lockets containing each other’s blood. This symbolic gesture, more than any other, encapsulated the passionate and unconventional intensity of their relationship. The story goes that during their time apart, especially when Thornton was filming The Gift in a remote location, Jolie sent him one of her lockets containing her blood. He, in turn, reciprocated, creating a tangible, albeit unusual, representation of their connection. This practice, while sensationalized by the media, was a deeply personal expression of their love and commitment. It symbolized an unbreakable bond, a constant reminder of each other’s presence even when physically separated. The blood lockets became an iconic symbol of their whirlwind romance, a testament to their desire to merge their lives in a way that was both intimate and dramatic, reflecting their larger-than-life personalities.
Divorces and the aftermath
The conclusion of Angelina Jolie’s marriages, particularly her divorce from Brad Pitt, marked significant turning points in her life, prompting periods of introspection and a redefinition of her personal journey. While her unions with Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton ended in amicable splits, the dissolution of her marriage to Brad Pitt was a protracted and highly publicized legal battle. The eight-year legal process, which finally concluded in December 2024, brought a sense of closure but also highlighted the complexities of untangling a shared life and family built over many years. These divorces, while challenging, have also been catalysts for Jolie to focus on her individual path, her philanthropic endeavors, and her role as a mother.
Angelina Jolie’s life after divorce
Following her divorces, Angelina Jolie has consistently demonstrated a remarkable ability to navigate personal upheaval with grace and a renewed focus on her core values. After her divorce from Billy Bob Thornton in 2003, she embraced motherhood as a single parent, notably adopting her son Maddox as a single individual. This period marked a significant shift, allowing her to prioritize her maternal instincts and humanitarian work independently. Similarly, in the aftermath of her divorce from Brad Pitt, which was finalized in December 2024 after an extended legal process, Jolie has continued to dedicate herself to her children and her extensive humanitarian efforts. She has maintained a relatively private personal life, choosing to concentrate on her career, her advocacy for refugees through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and raising her six children. Her post-divorce life is characterized by a strong sense of purpose, a commitment to her family, and a continued dedication to making a positive impact on the world.
Leave a Reply