How Angelina Jolie Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Angelina Jolie—a timeline of influence.

Angelina Jolie is a prominent American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Recognized as one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses, she has received several prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Jolie is also known for her extensive humanitarian work, focusing on refugee rights and other global issues.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1991: Christie Brinkley representing beauty ideal

In 1991, model Christie Brinkley represented the American beauty ideal. As a comparison, in 2011 a survey by Allure found that Angelina Jolie most represented the American beauty ideal.

2002: Observed attraction to Jolie

In 2002, AfterEllen founder Sarah Warn observed that many women of all sexual orientations had publicly expressed their attraction to Angelina Jolie, considering it a new development in American culture.

2004: Description of herself as a 'punk kid with tattoos'

In 2004, Angelina Jolie reflected on her past, describing herself as "still at heart—and always will be—just a punk kid with tattoos."

2006: Increased recognizability and Q Score

By 2006, Angelina Jolie's Q Score almost doubled from her score in 2000, reaching 25, due to her activism. Her recognizability also grew, with 81% of Americans being familiar with her, compared to 31% in 2000.

2006: Favorite celebrity endorser

In 2006, Angelina Jolie, together with Brad Pitt, was found to be the favorite celebrity endorser for brands and products worldwide in a global industry survey by ACNielsen. She also became the face of St. John and Shiseido from 2006 to 2008.

2007: "Gold standard of beauty"

By 2007, Angelina Jolie was considered "the gold standard of beauty," with her full lips remaining the most imitated celebrity feature well into the 2010s. Her physical attributes became highly sought-after among western women seeking cosmetic surgery.

2008: Face of St. John and Shiseido

From 2006 to 2008, Angelina Jolie was the face of St. John and Shiseido. In 2008, she was also among the Time 100, a list of the most influential people in the world as published by Time.

2009: World's Most Powerful Celebrity

In 2009, Angelina Jolie was named the world's most powerful celebrity in Forbes's Celebrity 100 issue. Forbes additionally cited her as Hollywood's highest-paid actress in 2009.

2011: Representing American beauty ideal

In 2011, a repeat survey by Allure found that Angelina Jolie most represented the American beauty ideal, compared to model Christie Brinkley in 1991.

2013: Increased BRCA gene testing due to "The Angelina Effect"

In 2013, Angelina Jolie's public announcement of her mastectomy led to widespread discussion and publicity about BRCA mutations and genetic testing. This phenomenon was dubbed "The Angelina Effect" by Time, resulting in a significant increase in BRCA gene testing globally, with referrals tripling in Australia and doubling in the United Kingdom, parts of Canada, and India. Additionally, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidated BRCA gene patents held by Myriad Genetics, reducing the costs of testing.

2013: Redefining beauty through frank discussion of mastectomy

In 2013, Jeffrey Kluger of Time opined that Angelina Jolie had for many years symbolized the feminine ideal, and her frank discussion of her double mastectomy redefined beauty.

2015: Most Admired Woman

In 2015, Angelina Jolie was found to be the most admired woman in the world in global surveys conducted by YouGov. She also received the same recognition in 2016.

2016: Most Admired Woman

In 2016, Angelina Jolie was found to be the most admired woman in the world in global surveys conducted by YouGov. Previously, she also received the same recognition in 2015.