Angelina Jolie is preparing to relocate internationally once her youngest children, twins Vivienne and Knox, turn 18 this July. The acclaimed actress, known for her role in the Netflix film Maria, has long considered moving away from Los Angeles, a decision closely tied to her family’s privacy and well-being.
Jolie’s move abroad comes after years of residing in Los Angeles due to custody arrangements with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt. A source revealed that Jolie
never wanted to live in L.A. full-time,
but was compelled by custody obligations, adding
She didn’t have a choice because of the custody arrangement with Brad.
Rationale Behind the International Relocation
Jolie’s priority in relocating centers on the environment she wants for her children. She has expressed a desire for her family to enjoy greater privacy, peace, and safety, which she suggests is difficult to maintain in Los Angeles. In a 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jolie said,
When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety,
highlighting the challenges of raising her children in the city.
She reflected on her experiences in various parts of the world, noting,
I have a house now to raise my children, but sometimes this place can be … that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here.
Jolie plans to spend significant time in Cambodia and visit family members worldwide, emphasizing her global ties:
I’ll spend a lot of time in Cambodia. I’ll spend time visiting my family members wherever they may be in the world.
Longstanding Connection to Cambodia
Jolie’s relationship with Cambodia runs deep, beginning with her adoption of her eldest son, Maddox, from the country in 2002. She has spoken about how Cambodia introduced her to the realities faced by refugees and inspired her humanitarian efforts, including her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
In a Vogue India interview, Jolie explained,
Cambodia was the country that made me aware of refugees,
and it led to her engagement in global affairs and motherhood. She recounted a pivotal moment in 2001, sharing,
In 2001, I was in a school program in Samlout playing blocks on the floor with a little kid and as clear as day I thought: ‘My son is here,’
and later meeting Maddox at an orphanage soon after:
A few months later, I met baby Mad at an orphanage. I can’t explain it and am not one to believe in messages or superstition. But it was just real and clear.
Family Life and Adoption Philosophy
Angelina Jolie shares six children with Brad Pitt—three biological and three adopted. After adopting Maddox, she adopted Zahara and Pax, whom Pitt later embraced as his own. Their biological children include Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox.
Jolie has emphasized the personal nature of her decision to adopt. She told Vanity Fair in 2008,
When I was growing up, I wanted to adopt because I was aware there were kids that didn’t have parents,
and clarified that it was never about making a humanitarian statement:
It’s not a humanitarian thing, because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other.
She elaborated on her hopes for her children’s upbringing, saying,
I look at Shiloh — because, obviously, physically, she is the one that looks like Brad and I when we were little — and say, ‘If these were our brothers and sisters, how much would we have known by the time we were six that it took into our 30s and 40s to figure out?’ I suppose I’m giving them the childhood I always wished I had.
Angelina Jolie’s Public Critique of America’s Current Climate
Jolie’s global outlook has influenced her critical perspective on the United States, especially in recent years. While attending the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, she openly voiced her concerns about the country’s direction:
I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country,
she said during a panel discussion, according to Variety.
She further highlighted her international worldview:
I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life… My worldview is equal, united, and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous.
Jolie emphasized the gravity of current times by adding,
These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.
Advocacy and Past Political Statements
Jolie’s activism has often intersected with her views on U.S. policy. In 2017, she penned an op-ed opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration ban, advocating for a balanced approach to national security without broadly excluding entire populations. She wrote,
We can manage our security without writing off citizens of entire countries – even babies – as unsafe to visit our country by virtue of geography or religion,
reflecting her opposition to policies she deemed harmful.
What This Move Means Going Forward
Angelina Jolie’s decision to relocate after her twins turn 18 marks a significant personal shift, revealing her desire for a life away from Hollywood’s intense spotlight. Prioritizing her children’s privacy and safety, Jolie’s move could also signal an increase in her international humanitarian work and global family connections. With a strong attachment to places like Cambodia and a critical view of current American social and political dynamics, she embodies a globally minded approach to both parenting and activism as she embarks on this new chapter.
