20 Surprising Facts About Angelina Jolie

Although we know her as Angelina Jolie, her full birth name is Angelina Jolie Voight. As the daughter of actor Jon Voight, she chose to drop his surname, partly because of their complex and strained relationship, emphasizing her wish to build her own identity.

Angelina's childhood was anything but easy. Her parents separated when she was a baby, and she had a difficult relationship with her father. She later openly spoke about struggling with depression as a teenager, and she moved out on her own at a young age, showing her independence and strong will early on.

Angelina has spoken about collecting knives from a young age. In interviews she has been candid about how she struggled with intense emotions as a teenager, an openness that has helped many young people feel less alone.

Angelina has openly described a very dark period in her early twenties. She has said that the conversations she had during that time became a turning point that eventually led her to seek help and a new direction in life.

Angelina's relationship with Brad Pitt began during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Angelina always denied being the cause of their divorce, but their relationship grew into one of the most talked-about romances in Hollywood.

In 2002, while still single, Angelina adopted her first child, Maddox, from Cambodia. It was a bold step and the start of her large, multicultural family, establishing her as a dedicated and unconventional parent.

Angelina has six children, three of them adopted: Maddox from Cambodia, Zahara from Ethiopia and Pax from Vietnam. Her biological children, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne, were born from her relationship with Brad Pitt. Her multicultural family is an important part of her identity and humanitarian work.

Angelina's marriage to Billy Bob Thornton in 2000 was anything but conventional. The couple famously wore vials of each other's blood around their necks as a symbol of their love. The relationship made many headlines and ended after three intense years.

One of the most discussed moments in her life came at the 2000 Oscars, when she kissed her brother James Haven. She always said their bond was purely emotional and familial, but the moment caused a media stir at the time.

Angelina Jolie became a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and has visited refugee camps worldwide. In 2012 she became Special Envoy of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and her efforts earned her numerous honors, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 2013.

Angelina broke through with Girl, Interrupted (1999), playing the troubled Lisa Rowe. The role won her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress at 24, proving her exceptional talent early on.

Besides acting, Angelina has made her mark as a director and screenwriter. Her directorial debut was In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), about the Bosnian War, followed by films including the impressive Unbroken (2014).

Angelina doesn't just have a talent for acting but also for languages. She speaks French, which she uses in her international work and travels, reflecting her deep connection with different cultures.

Angelina has many tattoos, each with special meaning. She has the geographic coordinates of her children's birthplaces tattooed on her arm and wears a Buddhist prayer for protection. Her tattoos often reflect her personal journey.

Angelina had a relationship with model and actress Jenny Shimizu, whom she met on the set of Foxfire (1996). She has always spoken openly about her bisexuality.

In 2013, Angelina announced she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene, which greatly increased her risk of breast cancer. Two years later she had her ovaries removed. Her candor inspired many women to pay attention to their own health.

Angelina has a passion not only for the world but also for flying. She earned her pilot's license in 2004 and has owned a Cirrus SR22 aircraft, a symbol of her longing for freedom and adventure.

During her relationship with Billy Bob Thornton, both wore vials of each other's blood around their necks. The intense gesture symbolized their unusual, passionate bond and remains one of the most talked-about moments of her personal life.

Tabloids have long speculated about agreements between Angelina and Brad Pitt, including a rumored prenup clause about infidelity. These stories were never confirmed, but they show how much attention their relationship attracted until their split in 2016.

At 20, Angelina married actor Jonny Lee Miller, known from Trainspotting. At the ceremony she wore black rubber pants and a white shirt on which she had written his name in her own blood. The marriage didn't last, but they remained good friends.