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 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.

Sections (5)

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

1991: Reference to model Christie Brinkley

In 1991, model Christie Brinkley was used to represent the American beauty ideal in an Allure survey, prior to Angelina Jolie's representation in 2011.

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, which she considered a new development in American culture.

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."

2006: Increased Q Score and Recognizability

By 2006, Angelina Jolie's Q Score almost doubled to 25 from 2000 due to her extensive activism. Her recognizability grew accordingly; by 2006, she was familiar to 81% of Americans, compared to 31% in 2000.

2006: Favorite celebrity endorser for brands and products worldwide

In 2006, Angelina Jolie, along with Brad Pitt, was found to be the favorite celebrity endorser for brands and products worldwide in a global industry survey by ACNielsen in 42 international markets. She also became the face of St. John and Shiseido.

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.

2008: Face of St. John and Shiseido, Time 100 list

In 2008, Angelina Jolie continued to be the face of St. John and Shiseido, and 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.

2011: American beauty ideal

After a 2011 repeat survey by Allure found that Angelina Jolie most represented the American beauty ideal, writer Elizabeth Angell credited society with having "branched out beyond the Barbie-doll ideal and embraced something quite different".

2011: Endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton

In 2011, Angelina Jolie signed an endorsement deal with Louis Vuitton, reportedly worth $10 million, which was a record for a single advertising campaign. She was also listed as the most powerful actress by Forbes.

2013: Highest-paid actress

In 2013, Angelina Jolie was cited by Forbes as Hollywood's highest-paid actress with estimated annual earnings of $33 million.

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.

2013: Redefining beauty

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