Childhood and Education Journey of Angelina Jolie in Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Angelina Jolie. From birth to education, explore key events.
Angelina Jolie is a highly acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Recognized with prestigious awards such as two Academy Awards, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards, she has consistently ranked among Hollywood's highest-paid actresses. Beyond her successful film career, Jolie is also known for her extensive humanitarian work and activism.
June 4, 1975: Angelina Jolie's Birth
On June 4, 1975, Angelina Jolie was born as Angelina Jolie Voight. She is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian.
1976: Parents' Separation
In 1976, Angelina Jolie's parents separated. She and her brother lived with their mother, who had abandoned her acting ambitions.
1993: Adaptation of Susanna Kaysen's Memoir
In 1993, Susanna Kaysen's memoir was written, an adaptation of which was filmed in 1999 with Angelina Jolie starring in 'Girl, Interrupted'.
1995: Romance with Jonny Lee Miller during Hackers filming
In 1995, Angelina Jolie had a romance with actor Jonny Lee Miller during the filming of Hackers.
March 1996: Marriage to Jonny Lee Miller
In March 1996, Angelina Jolie married actor Jonny Lee Miller. She wore black rubber pants and a white T-shirt with the groom's name written in her blood to the wedding.
1996: Relationship with Jenny Shimizu on Foxfire set
In 1996, prior to her marriage to Miller, Angelina Jolie began a relationship with model and actress Jenny Shimizu on the set of Foxfire.
1997: Declaration of love for Jenny Shimizu
In 1997, Angelina Jolie said she would probably have married Jenny Shimizu if she hadn't married her husband, stating she fell in love with her the first second she saw her.
1997: Dating Timothy Hutton
In 1997, Angelina Jolie was reportedly dating actor Timothy Hutton, her co-star in Playing God.
February 1999: Divorce initiated from Jonny Lee Miller
In February 1999, Angelina Jolie initiated divorce proceedings from Jonny Lee Miller. The divorce was finalized shortly before she remarried the next year.
1999: Meeting Billy Bob Thornton on Pushing Tin set
In 1999, Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton met on the set of Pushing Tin, but did not pursue a relationship at that time, as Thornton was engaged to Laura Dern.
May 5, 2000: Marriage to Billy Bob Thornton
On May 5, 2000, Angelina Jolie married actor Billy Bob Thornton in Las Vegas after a two-month courtship.
2000: Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
In 2000, at age 26, Angelina Jolie became a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. She later commented that she took her "punk" attitude to Washington to fight for important causes. Her recognizability grew, increasing from 31% to 81% by 2006 among Americans.
2000: Comments on outspokenness
In 2000, when asked about her outspokenness, Angelina Jolie stated: "I say things that other people might go through. That's what artists should do—throw things out there and not be perfect and not have answers for anything and see if people understand." Tabloid rumors of incest emerged when Jolie kissed her brother on the lips after winning an Oscar for Girl, Interrupted.
February 2001: First Field Visit to Sierra Leone and Tanzania
In February 2001, Angelina Jolie went on her first field visit as part of her work with the UNHCR, an 18-day mission to Sierra Leone and Tanzania. This experience deeply affected her and increased her understanding of global humanitarian crises.
August 5, 2001: Maddox Chivan's Birth
On August 5, 2001, Maddox Chivan was born in a local village in Cambodia.
August 27, 2001: Named UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
On August 27, 2001, Angelina Jolie was officially named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, formalizing her role in advocating for refugees worldwide.
November 2001: Visit to Cambodia with Billy Bob Thornton
In November 2001, Angelina Jolie returned to Cambodia with her then-husband, Billy Bob Thornton. They met Maddox and subsequently applied to adopt him.
2001: Initial Field Visits
In 2001, Angelina Jolie began a series of field visits to refugee camps around the world to learn more about the conditions in these areas, marking the beginning of her extensive humanitarian work.
March 10, 2002: Adoption of Maddox Chivan
On March 10, 2002, Angelina Jolie adopted her first child, seven-month-old Maddox Chivan, from an orphanage in Battambang, Cambodia.
March 2002: Announcement of Adoption from Cambodia
In March 2002, Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton announced the adoption of a child from Cambodia, but abruptly separated three months later.
September 12, 2002: Legal Name Change
On September 12, 2002, Angelina Jolie legally removed her surname, Voight, in favor of her middle name.
2002: Starring in Life or Something Like It
In 2002, Angelina Jolie starred in the romantic comedy 'Life or Something Like It'. Despite being unsuccessful, her role as an ambitious newscaster was seen as a rare attempt at playing a conventional women's role, even including a scene where she sings 'Satisfaction'. Also in 2002, Angelina Jolie established herself among Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, earning $10–15 million per film for the next five years.
2002: Aims to raise awareness
In 2002, Angelina Jolie stated that she hoped to raise awareness of the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons, emphasizing that they should be commended for their survival.
May 27, 2003: Divorce Finalized from Billy Bob Thornton
On May 27, 2003, Angelina Jolie's divorce from Billy Bob Thornton was finalized. Thornton had filed for divorce, citing their lifestyles were too different.
October 2003: Publication of Notes from My Travels
In October 2003, Angelina Jolie's book, Notes from My Travels, which chronicled her 2001-2002 field visits, was published in conjunction with the release of her humanitarian drama, Beyond Borders.
November 29, 2003: Pax Thien's Birth
On November 29, 2003, Pax Thien was born in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and had been abandoned soon after birth.
2003: Lobbying in Washington D.C.
From 2003 onwards, Angelina Jolie began lobbying for humanitarian interests in Washington D.C., emphasizing the need to engage with policymakers to effect change.
2003: Purchase of Property in Cambodia
In 2003, Angelina Jolie purchased a house in Cambodia to connect her adopted son with his heritage. She also transformed the area into a wildlife reserve named the Maddox Jolie Project.
2003: Taking custody of Maddox in Namibia
In 2003, Angelina Jolie took custody of Maddox in Namibia, where she was filming Beyond Borders.
2003: Patron of Harnas Wildlife Foundation
In 2003, after filming Beyond Borders in Namibia, Angelina Jolie became a patron of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation, which is a wildlife orphanage and medical center in the Kalahari Desert.
2003: Affirmation of Bisexuality
In 2003, when asked if she was bisexual, Angelina Jolie answered, "Of course. If I fell in love with a woman tomorrow, would I feel that it's okay to want to kiss and touch her? If I fell in love with her? Absolutely! Yes!"
2004: Punk Kid with Tattoos
In 2004, Angelina Jolie referred to her high school period with the observation, "I am still at heart—and always will be—just a punk kid with tattoos."
2004: Started Flying Lessons
In 2004, Angelina Jolie started taking flying lessons to ferry aid workers and food supplies around the world. She later acquired a pilot license.
2004: Offer of Cambodian Nationality
In 2004, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen offered Angelina Jolie Cambodian nationality due to her humanitarian work in the country.
January 8, 2005: Zahara Marley's Birth
On January 8, 2005, Zahara Marley was born in Awasa, Ethiopia.
July 6, 2005: Adoption of Zahara Marley
On July 6, 2005, Angelina Jolie adopted her second child, six-month-old Zahara Marley, from an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
October 2005: Accusations of causing Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston's divorce
In October 2005, Angelina Jolie was involved in a prominent scandal when she was accused of causing the divorce of actors Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston. She denied allegations of an affair.
2005: Opening of Girls' School in Kakuma
In 2005, Angelina Jolie funded a school and boarding facility for girls at Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya, providing educational opportunities for refugee children.
2005: Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act
In 2005, Angelina Jolie pushed for legislation, including the "Unaccompanied Alien Child Protection Act of 2005," to aid child immigrants and vulnerable children in the U.S. and developing nations.
2005: Accusations of ending Brad Pitt's marriage
In 2005, Angelina Jolie was accused of ending Brad Pitt's marriage to Jennifer Aniston. Her public persona became an unlikely combination of alleged homewrecker, mother, sex symbol, and humanitarian.
2005: World Economic Forum and MTV Special
In 2005, Angelina Jolie was an invited speaker at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Together with Jeffrey Sachs, she filmed a 2005 MTV special, The Diary of Angelina Jolie & Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in Africa, which followed them on a trip to a Millennium Village in western Kenya.
2005: Granting of Cambodian Citizenship
In 2005, the process was completed when King Norodom Sihamoni granted Angelina Jolie Cambodian citizenship through a royal decree.
January 2006: Confirmation of pregnancy with Brad Pitt
In January 2006, Angelina Jolie confirmed that she and Brad Pitt were expecting their first child together.
January 19, 2006: Legal Change of Surname to Jolie-Pitt
On January 19, 2006, Angelina Jolie filed a petition to legally change her children's surname from Jolie to Jolie-Pitt, which was granted. Brad Pitt adopted Maddox and Zahara soon after.
February 2006: Opening of Maddox Chivan Children's Center
In February 2006, Angelina Jolie opened the Maddox Chivan Children's Center in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, a medical and educational facility for children affected by HIV.
May 27, 2006: Birth of Shiloh Nouvel
On May 27, 2006, Angelina Jolie gave birth to her first biological child with Brad Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel, in Swakopmund, Namibia. The first pictures of Shiloh were sold to People and Hello! magazines for charity.
September 2006: Establishment of the Jolie-Pitt Foundation
In September 2006, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support various causes.
November 2006: Visit to Orphanage with Brad Pitt
In November 2006, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt visited the orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City where they would eventually adopt Pax Thien.
November 2006: Expansion of Maddox Jolie Project
In November 2006, Angelina Jolie expanded the scope of the Maddox Jolie Project, renaming it the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP) to create Asia's first Millennium Village, in accordance with UN development goals.
January 27, 2007: Death of Bertrand
On January 27, 2007, Angelina Jolie's mother, Bertrand, died from ovarian cancer, which led to the rebuilding of Angelina's relationship with her father.
March 15, 2007: Adoption of Pax Thien
On March 15, 2007, Angelina Jolie adopted her fourth child, three-year-old Pax Thien, from an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Because Vietnam's adoption regulations did not allow unmarried couples to co-adopt, Angelina applied for adoption as a single parent.
June 2007: Joined the Council on Foreign Relations
In June 2007, Angelina Jolie joined the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
September 2007: Co-chair of Education Partnership for Children of Conflict
In September 2007, Angelina Jolie co-chaired the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, providing policy and funding to education programs for children in conflict-affected regions, since its founding at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting.
2007: Millennium Village Progress
By mid-2007, approximately 6,000 villagers and 72 employees, including former poachers employed as rangers, lived and worked at the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation (MJP). The compound included schools, roads, and a soy milk factory, all funded by Jolie.
2007: Funding of US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Initiative
From 2005 to 2007, Angelina Jolie funded the launch of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants' National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children, a similar initiative providing aid to refugee children.
2007: Death of Jolie's mother
In 2007, Angelina Jolie's mother passed away. Following this, Jolie appeared in fewer films, explaining that her motivation to be an actress had stemmed from her mother's acting ambitions.
February 21, 2008: Brad Pitt's adoption of Pax
On February 21, 2008, Brad Pitt adopted Pax Thien, solidifying their family.
July 2008: Birth of Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline
In July 2008, Angelina Jolie gave birth to twins Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt in Nice, France. The first pictures of the twins were jointly sold to People and Hello! for a reported $14 million, with all proceeds donated to the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
October 2008: Co-chair of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
In October 2008, Angelina Jolie co-chaired Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), a network of leading U.S. law firms providing free legal aid to unaccompanied minors in immigration proceedings.
March 2010: Opening of Primary School for Girls in Tangi
In March 2010, Angelina Jolie opened one of two primary schools for girls in the returnee settlement of Tangi, eastern Afghanistan, supporting education in the region.
December 2010: Establishment of Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation
In December 2010, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt established the Shiloh Jolie-Pitt Foundation to support conservation work by the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia.
2010: Haiti Earthquake Relief
In 2010, Jolie Legal Fellows facilitated child protection efforts in Haiti in the wake of the earthquake.
January 2011: Established Jolie Legal Fellowship
In January 2011, Angelina Jolie established the Jolie Legal Fellowship, a network of lawyers and attorneys who advocate for the development of human rights in their countries.
April 2012: Engagement Announcement
In April 2012, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt announced their engagement.
April 17, 2012: Promotion to Special Envoy to the High Commissioner
On April 17, 2012, Angelina Jolie was promoted to the rank of Special Envoy to High Commissioner António Guterres within the UNHCR. This expanded role allowed her to represent Guterres and UNHCR at the diplomatic level, focusing on major refugee crises.
May 2012: Launch of Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI)
In May 2012, Angelina Jolie launched the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with Foreign Secretary William Hague, raising awareness and promoting international cooperation.
November 2012: Opening of Primary School for Girls in Qalai Gudar
In November 2012, Angelina Jolie opened a primary school for girls in Qalai Gudar, eastern Afghanistan, furthering her commitment to girls' education in Afghanistan.
February 16, 2013: Preventive Double Mastectomy
On February 16, 2013, at the age of 37, Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive double mastectomy due to an 87% risk of developing breast cancer linked to a defective BRCA1 gene. This decision followed a family history of cancer, including her mother and grandmother.
April 2013: Style of Jolie Benefits Education Partnership
Since April 2013, all proceeds from Angelina Jolie's high-end jewelry collection, Style of Jolie, have benefited the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.
2013: KIND becomes Principal Provider
By 2013, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND), co-chaired by Angelina Jolie, had become the principal provider of pro bono lawyers for immigrant children.
2013: Campaign Against Sexual Violence
In 2013, Angelina Jolie fronted a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones by the UK government, which prioritized the issue during its G8 presidency.
2013: Increased BRCA gene testing due to "The Angelina Effect"
In 2013, Angelina Jolie's announcement of her mastectomy led to a surge in BRCA gene testing, dubbed "The Angelina Effect" by Time. The number of referrals tripled in Australia and doubled in the United Kingdom, parts of Canada, and India, as well as significantly increased in other European countries and the United States. Jolie also advocated for wider accessibility of BRCA gene testing, especially after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidated BRCA gene patents held by Myriad Genetics.
May 2014: Aircraft Ownership
As of May 2014, Angelina Jolie owns a Cirrus SR22 aircraft and a Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft, facilitating her ability to travel and provide aid.
June 2014: Co-chaired Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict
In June 2014, Angelina Jolie co-chaired the four-day Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict, the largest-ever meeting on the subject, which resulted in a protocol endorsed by 151 nations.
August 14, 2014: Legal Marriage to Brad Pitt
On August 14, 2014, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were legally married.
March 2015: Preventive Salpingo-oophorectomy
In March 2015, Angelina Jolie underwent a preventive salpingo-oophorectomy (removal of an ovary and its fallopian tube) after test results indicated possible signs of early ovarian cancer. This procedure was prompted by a fifty percent risk of developing ovarian cancer due to the same genetic anomaly as her previous surgery, and brought on premature menopause despite hormone replacement therapy.
2015: Founding of Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic
In 2015, Angelina Jolie, along with Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, founded Jolie Pitt Dalton Helic. This partnership is dedicated to women's rights and international justice, among other causes.
May 2016: Appointment as Visiting Professor at LSE
In May 2016, Angelina Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics. She was to contribute to a postgraduate degree program at the university's Centre on Women, Peace and Security, which she had launched with Hague the previous year.
September 15, 2016: Separation from Brad Pitt
On September 15, 2016, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt separated after two years of marriage.
April 12, 2019: Declared Legally Single
On April 12, 2019, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt were declared legally single.
September 2020: Donation to Yemen Lemonade Stand
In September 2020, Angelina Jolie donated to two young boys who were running a lemonade stand in London. The boys were raising money for the people of Yemen, as the country was on the brink of humanitarian crisis.
September 2, 2021: Release of Know Your Rights and Claim Them
On September 2, 2021, Angelina Jolie and Amnesty International released a children's rights book titled Know Your Rights and Claim Them, co-authored by Jolie and British human rights lawyer Geraldine Van Bueren.
February 2022: Senate introduction of Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act
In February 2022, Angelina Jolie and her daughter Zahara visited Washington, D.C. for the Senate introduction of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. The bill was designed to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Jolie worked closely with the bill's sponsors and advocates and is also an advocate for Kayden's Law and the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2022.
March 2022: Visit to Ukrainian Children at Vatican Hospital
In March 2022, a month into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Angelina Jolie visited Ukrainian children at the Vatican Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù. She expressed her concern for the children affected by the war and called for an end to the conflict.
May 2022: Visit to Displaced Children in Lviv, Ukraine
In May 2022, Angelina Jolie visited Lviv, Ukraine, to meet with displaced and hospitalized children. She showed her support for the children affected by the conflict.
December 2022: Resignation from UNHCR Ambassadorship
In December 2022, Angelina Jolie resigned from her ambassadorship with the UNHCR, while pledging to continue advocating for refugees in other capacities.
2023: Criticism of Israel's Actions in Gaza
In 2023, Angelina Jolie voiced strong criticism of Israel for its military actions in Gaza during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. She condemned the deliberate bombing of a trapped population and accused global leaders of complicity in these crimes, demanding a humanitarian ceasefire.
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