Angelina Jolie Opens Up About How Her Divorce from Brad Pitt Shaped Her Life and Career

Angelina Jolie has been making waves in Hollywood once again, thanks to her captivating portrayal of legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the biopic Maria. With critics and fans praising her performance, the 49-year-old actress is receiving serious Oscar buzz. However, this success comes after a long and challenging journey, including the emotional and personal toll of her 2016 divorce from Brad Pitt.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Jolie revealed how the aftermath of her split with Pitt deeply affected all aspects of her life. The actress candidly admitted, “I wasn’t myself for a while, so I wasn’t able to give as much to my work for a few years.” She described how difficult it was to fully engage in her professional life, especially while navigating a prolonged and painful court battle with her ex-husband. It was only through her role in Maria that she began to feel “alive again” and start healing from the emotional scars.

The Dark Period After the Divorce

Jolie opened up about the emotional toll of the years following her divorce, explaining that she went through a “very dark” period. While she didn’t go into specific details, she hinted at how challenging the situation was, saying, “I went very dark for reasons I’d rather not explain, but I didn’t have a lot of light and life within me. Your light’s dim.” She continued, expressing how this period of darkness impacted both her personal life and career choices.

The divorce and custody battle forced Jolie to focus more on her family and less on her acting career. “I also just needed to be home more, so I couldn’t commit large periods of time to pieces,” she shared. She explained that, for a long time, the decision of what projects to work on was driven more by practical considerations than creative passion.

Angelina Jolie’s Personal Life Post-Divorce

Beyond her professional challenges, Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt also had a profound impact on her personal life. A source close to Jolie revealed that she remains single, not due to a lack of interest from potential suitors, but because she is “terrified of getting hurt again” after her traumatic experience with Pitt. Despite being one of the most sought-after women in Hollywood, Jolie keeps potential relationships at a distance, as she grapples with the emotional scars left by her marriage.

The breakdown of their marriage followed an alleged incident on a private plane where Jolie accused Pitt of domestic violence. Although no charges were filed, the accusations created lasting tension between the two, which still plays out in their ongoing legal disputes over their shared winery, Château Miraval. While Brad Pitt has moved on with a new relationship with Ines de Ramon, Jolie continues to fight for her children’s wellbeing and her financial interests in court.

The Role That Changed Her Life

Despite these personal battles, Jolie’s performance in Maria marked a turning point in her life. The role allowed her to rediscover her creativity and strength. She reflected on her journey, stating, “All of us, we really don’t realize where things land in our body over a lifetime of different experiences and where we hold it to protect ourselves.” Jolie described the challenge of reconnecting with herself, particularly the physical strain that came with opening up emotionally. “The first few weeks were the hardest because my body had to open, and I had to breathe again. And that was a discovery of how much I wasn’t,” she explained.

Jolie’s journey of healing is ongoing, but with each step, she has emerged stronger. As she takes on new roles and continues her work as a philanthropist, it’s clear that her experiences have reshaped both her career and her approach to life.