Angelina Jolie: Actress, Humanitarian, and Mother
Angelina Jolie: The Actress-Director-Philanthropist Who Inspires Generations of Film Fans
Angelina Jolie is 51 years old as of January 2026 and she is still a major inspiration to millions of people around the world through her acting, filmmaking and philanthropic endeavors. As a rebel from her early days as a movie star to being one of the most influential filmmakers of today, and as a tireless advocate for refugees, Angelina Jolie has established herself as a major force in both the film industry and in the world at large. Angelina Jolie is currently working on new films, but is also preparing for a major life change as she enters 2026. Here she dazzles on recent red carpets, bringing glamour and understated luxury to all her 2025 public appearances
Early life and formative years
Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles to actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. She spent her young years living in the film industry but was mostly raised by her mother after the couple divorced. She appeared as a child actor in her father’s film “Lookin’ To Get Out” when she was only seven years old (1982). Her early years were marked by a tumultuous adolescence in both Los Angeles and New York City; during this time, she was involved in punk culture and struggled with depression; in addition to attending the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute for acting training. This experience helped to shape her aggressive, intense, boundary-pushing style of acting which defined much of her early career. Here she is in one of her breakout performances from “Girl, Interrupted” (1999), the role that earned her her first Academy Award.
The Rise of Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie rose to fame in the late 1990s starring in two acclaimed television movies: “George Wallace” in 1997 and “Gia” in 1998. Both earned her Golden Globe awards. In 2000 she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the charming but troubled Lisa Rowe in “Girl, Interrupted.” The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider film franchise, which included Tomb Raider (2001) and Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003), further solidified her status as a global action star. She has continued to play the high-energy role of an action hero by starring in films such as Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Wanted (2008), and Salt (2010). At the same time, she continues to challenge herself by portraying dramatic characters in films including A Mighty Heart (2007) and Changeling (2008) — the latter earned her another Oscar nomination.
Maleficent – A New Generation and The Magic of Disney
Maleficent was a new generation for Jolie when she portrayed the iconic and complex role of the horned fairy godmother-turned-protector in Disney’s live action remakes. This is arguably one of Jolie’s most well-loved and visually stunning roles to date. In this photo, she is wearing her signature headdress that makes her a dark fairy.
Directing and Producing Ventures
In recent years, Jolie has directed increasing amounts of film. Some of those films include In the Land of Blood and Honey (2011), an historical war drama; Unbroken (2014); the Cambodian genocide story First They Killed My Father (2017); and the intense Without Blood (2024).Here she is on set, directing and making her vision come alive.
Her most recent acting role was that of the famous opera icon Maria Callas in Maria (2024), which received critical acclaim, with upcoming roles including the thriller fashion film, Couture (2026) and the dark drama, Sunny.
Humanitarian Commitment
Her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) started as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and she was appointed as their Special Envoy in 2012. Throughout the world, she has been to several conflict areas, advocating for the rights of refugees and helping to establish programs to prevent sexual violence during war. The Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation is dedicated to supporting education and conservation efforts in Cambodia. In January 2026, Jolie traveled to the Rafah border to see what the humanitarian effort into Gaza looked like, and called on Israel to continue to support a sustainable cease fire and allow continued access into Gaza. Below are some powerful photos of her field trips and her advocacy for refugees.
Personal Life and Family
Angelina Jolie has been married to two actors: Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton; and actor Brad Pitt (married from 2014-2019). With Pitt, Jolie has six children; two adopted boys: Maddox and Pax; one adopted girl, Zahara; and three biological children: Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne. She is also a citizen of Cambodia and has discussed in interviews about the various preventative medical treatments she has undergone due to having a BRCA1 gene mutation. Her family will always be important to her, as can be seen through the candid photos of her and her children.
As Jolie’s youngest children approach their 18th birthday in 2026, she expresses enthusiasm for the next chapter in her life; which could include possibly moving to other countries such as Cambodia or Europe for greater anonymity and more in line with her worldview. As Jolie evolves both professionally and personally, she remains a dynamic force – bringing together cinematic excellence, directorial ambitions, and authentic humanitarian work in a constantly changing world.
