Angelina Jolie, at 50, seems ready for a big change. The famous actress recently opened up about her feelings on Hollywood and America. During a press event for her new film, Couture, at the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain on September 21, she was asked about being an actress in the United States. This question came at a time when late-night host Jimmy Kimmel had been temporarily suspended for comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. Jolie took a long pause, thinking deeply, before sharing her honest thoughts. "It’s a very difficult question," she said. "I love my country, but right now, I don’t recognize it."
This isn’t a sudden decision for Jolie. She has thought about leaving the U.S. for a while. Back in 2019, the Oscar winner told Harper’s Bazaar that she only lived in Los Angeles because her children needed to be close to their father, Brad Pitt. Jolie and Pitt, who split in 2016, have six children: Maddox, 24, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 17. She had said, "I would love to live abroad and will do so as soon as my children are 18." Now, sources tell Us Weekly she is moving forward with that promise. She plans to relocate after the twins’ birthday in July.
This move marks a fresh start for the Maria actress after her long, eight-year divorce from Pitt. "Angelina shows a change recently; she is lighter and more relaxed," one source shared. "She will always love Los Angeles, but she feels it has served its purpose. She is ready for her next chapter." A second source added, "She is very excited for this new stage in her life."
Jolie has strong connections around the world. The second source mentioned she will likely split her time, partly based in Cambodia, where she still owns property. She adopted Maddox from the Southeast Asian country in 2002. She also plans to spend time in France, where Knox and Vivienne were born in Nice, and in Africa, as Zahara is from Ethiopia and Shiloh was born in Namibia. "These are all very special places," the second source shared. "She has dear friends in all those areas whom she considers confidantes and family." Jolie said something similar at the Couture Q&A in September, telling reporters, "I have always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life." The first source added, "Angelina thrives when she is outside of Hollywood. She loves being in cultures that inspire her."
Jolie is currently in London, working on the Netflix film Anxious People. Her son, Maddox, is working as an assistant director on the upcoming crime comedy. This is a bit different from the drama and action roles she is known for. She also plans to direct and produce movies in other countries. "Angelina will come and go from Los Angeles for work, but she will no longer call Los Angeles home," the second source explained. They mentioned Jolie hopes to put her $24.5 million Los Feliz mansion up for sale next September. "She is ready to dive more into directing and producing," said a third source. Jolie has directed four films, including 2014’s Unbroken and 2017’s First They Killed My Father. She has also produced projects like Couture and Maleficent.
Humanitarian work will also be a major focus. Jolie served as a UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency) Goodwill Ambassador from 2001 to 2012, then as a special envoy from 2012 to 2022. "She plans to contribute to communities in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Africa," the second source shared. "She is also open to exploring more of the world, raising awareness, and continuing her work with the UN. She really wants to be surrounded by like-minded people."
Her children will remain a huge part of her life. "The kids will most likely keep their roots in Los Angeles for their careers," the first source said. "But they will also spend time with Angelina wherever she is. The children are very creative and, like their parents, love all aspects of filmmaking and the arts."
Her children continue to shape her path. Maddox, who is a licensed pilot like his mother, has been working with Jolie on her film projects. "He is passionate about directing and acting," the second source confirmed. Shiloh is a dancer, and Zahara is in her final year at Spelman College. The second source mentioned Pax is interested in starting a fashion line, while the third source added he also likes photography. Vivienne, who was credited as a production assistant for the Broadway musical The Outsiders (with Jolie as lead producer), wants to study theater. In July, Knox won a Muay Thai competition in Los Angeles. "Angelina’s children are truly a major force that will guide her," the second source commented, referring to their interests and where they choose to live. "She knows she will have a lot of work keeping up with them after she leaves Los Angeles."
Motherhood remains her top priority. "She is very involved with her children and their interests right now," the second source stated. This echoes the example of her own mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who passed away in 2007. "Angelina’s mother invested a lot in her, and Angie is doing the same with all her children." The source added that all the children are currently distanced from Pitt. "Brad had the closest bond with the twins, but they no longer speak." The third source chimed in, "All the children are thriving. That is Angelina’s greatest achievement. Nothing makes her happier."
Sources suggest Jolie appears more like her old self lately. "She feels her life is coming full circle, returning to who she was before Brad," the second source shared. "She dedicated a lot of time to her passions, including humanitarian work and flying. While she was married to Brad, much of this stopped. She focused on raising her family, and Brad wanted her to fly less. Now, her freedom allows her to reconnect with her true self."
Her difficult split from Pitt took a toll. Their divorce was finalized in December 2024, after years of legal battles. In court papers, Jolie accused Pitt of emotional and physical abuse. In a 2023 Vogue cover story, she said she and her children "had a lot to heal from," adding she hadn’t felt like herself "for a decade." The first source reported, "Angelina is in a much better place. She isn’t living in the past or carrying baggage. She has overcome much of the trauma over the years through healing and a lot of therapy. There is a joy in her that people hadn’t seen in years." The third source added that Jolie "[used to be] more serious and emotional" but now feels "more centered and inspired than ever." They noted, "It’s exciting for her to find this unburdened joy after years of trials and tribulations."
Jolie keeps a small, close circle of friends. This group includes well-known faces like Gwen Stefani, Salma Hayek Pinault, and even her ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton. The second source shared that she and Stefani, who became close in 2004, "talk and text a few times a month" and see each other several times a year. Jolie’s children and Stefani’s older sons, Kingston, 19, and Zuma, 17, "grew up together and remain very close." Jolie and Hayek Pinault connected while filming The Eternals in 2021. "Salma has been very present for Angelina during her divorce," the source said. Thornton also supported Jolie during her separation from Pitt. "Billy Bob and Angelina talk quite a bit on the phone. He is very protective of her."
She has gone on a few dates in recent years, but romance isn’t her main focus. "People try to set Angelina up all the time, but she has too much going on in her life right now," the first source said. They added that she has "no interest" in dating a celebrity. The second source pointed out there was never any romance between Jolie and The Weeknd, with whom she was seen in 2021. "[Their relationship] is business; they have common philanthropic interests," the source clarified. Nor did she ever get back together with her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller. "They are very good friends and always will be."
While getting married might not be a top priority, the actress would never say no to love, the second source noted. "If she meets someone she connects with deeply, someone who understands her, she would be open to [a relationship]." The third source commented, "She has been through a lot. For now, she’s just focused on her career and her children. She has found herself again and feels good."