Angelina Jolie Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Angelina Jolie Voight |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1975 |
| Age | 51 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress, filmmaker, humanitarian |
| Years Active | 1982-present |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.69 m) |
| Spouse | Previously married to Jonny Lee Miller, Billy Bob Thornton, Brad Pitt |
| Children | 6 (Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, Vivienne) |
| Net Worth | ~$160 million |
| Known For | Girl, Interrupted; Maleficent; Salt; humanitarian advocacy |
Early Life & Background
Angelina Jolie was born into an acting family: father Jon Voight is an Academy Award winner, and mother Marcheline Bertrand was an actress and producer. Jolie spent part of her childhood in New York before returning to Los Angeles, where she experienced a turbulent adolescence but found solace in acting and humanitarian causes inspired by her mother's activism.
Education
Jolie attended Beverly Hills High School and later the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute, studying Method acting while appearing in student productions. She briefly enrolled at New York University to study film but left to focus on acting opportunities, continuing private coaching in stage combat and dialect work.
Career Journey
Early Career
Jolie began with modeling, music videos, and indie features such as Hackers (1995) and the HBO biopic Gia (1998), which earned her a Golden Globe. These roles highlighted her intensity and set the stage for mainstream recognition.
Rise to Fame
In 2000, Jolie won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted. She became an international action star as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider (2001) and headlined thrillers including Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and Salt (2010). Her portrayal of the Disney antiheroine in Maleficent (2014) introduced her to a new generation.
Established Career
Jolie expanded into directing with films like In the Land of Blood and Honey, Unbroken, and First They Killed My Father, often centered on human rights themes. She continues acting in projects such as Marvel's Eternals (2021) and voices Tigress in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. In 2025 she launched Atelier Jolie, a sustainable fashion and artisan collective, and in 2026 she is producing a biopic on war correspondent Marie Colvin.
Complete Filmography
Movies (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Gia | Gia Carangi | Won Golden Globe |
| 1999 | Girl, Interrupted | Lisa Rowe | Won Academy Award |
| 2001 | Lara Croft: Tomb Raider | Lara Croft | Global box-office breakthrough |
| 2005 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Jane Smith | Led to partnership with Brad Pitt |
| 2010 | Salt | Evelyn Salt | Stunt-heavy spy thriller |
| 2014 | Maleficent | Maleficent | Disney live-action hit |
| 2021 | Eternals | Thena | Joined Marvel Cinematic Universe |
| 2024 | Kung Fu Panda 4 | Voice of Tigress | Continuing voice role |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actress - Miniseries | Gia | Won |
| 2000 | Academy Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Girl, Interrupted | Won |
| 2008 | Academy Awards | Best Actress | Changeling | Nominated |
| 2011 | Directors Guild of America | Outstanding Directorial Achievement | In the Land of Blood and Honey | Nominated |
| 2013 | Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award | Humanitarian service | Career | Recipient |
| 2022 | Critics Choice Awards | Best Actress in a Superhero Movie | Eternals | Nominated |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$160 million (2026)
Jolie's fortune stems from blockbuster salaries (often $15-20 million per film), backend deals on Disney projects, directing fees, producing ventures, real estate holdings in Los Feliz and Cambodia, and new revenue from Atelier Jolie brand partnerships.
Personal Life
Jolie shares six children with former spouse Brad Pitt and prioritizes co-parenting schedules that allow family time between Los Angeles, New York, and overseas humanitarian missions. She successfully underwent preventive double mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries in 2013, publicly advocating for genetic cancer testing. Jolie continues to focus on writing, painting, and collaborating creatively with her children, particularly daughter Vivienne, who is co-producing the 2026 Broadway revival of The Outsiders.
Philanthropy & Humanitarian Work
Jolie has served as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador (2001) and Special Envoy (2012-present), visiting more than 60 refugee camps. She co-founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, funding conservation projects in Namibia and Cambodia, founded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative with the UK government, and finances education scholarships for refugee girls through the Malala Fund. Recently, she pledged $10 million over five years to support survivors of domestic violence in the U.S.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram: @angelinajolie - curated posts on humanitarian missions, Atelier Jolie, and advocacy statements.
- Twitter/X: No official account; press statements are released via UNHCR or verified publicists.
- Facebook: Managed fan pages exist, but Jolie does not personally post on Facebook.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Jolie earned a pilot's license in 2004 and often pilots small planes during humanitarian trips.
- She owns a historic home once occupied by Cecil B. DeMille in Los Feliz.
- Jolie collects first-edition books and rare daggers, interests sparked during childhood travel.
- She holds Cambodian citizenship for her conservation work in Battambang Province.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Jolie recently expanded Atelier Jolie with a flagship store in Paris focusing on refugee artisans. She is producing and narrating a 2026 Netflix documentary on displaced youth and has signed on to direct a limited series about photojournalist Lynsey Addario. Her UNHCR missions this year center on climate-displaced communities in the Pacific.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Angelina Jolie?
Angelina Jolie is an American actress, director, and humanitarian known for Oscar-winning roles and extensive advocacy for refugees and women's rights.
What is Angelina Jolie most famous for?
She is recognized for films like Girl, Interrupted, Maleficent, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and for directing socially conscious dramas.
Is Angelina Jolie active on social media?
Jolie selectively uses Instagram to highlight humanitarian work and creative projects, but she avoids other platforms and communicates major announcements through verified partners.