Angelina Jolie is preparing for a significant change by planning to move out of the United States shortly after July, marking an important turning point in her life and career. The actress and humanitarian, known for her international lifestyle, shared her complex feelings about America during a recent San Sebastián Film Festival appearance, underscoring the shift that motivates her new beginning.
Reflecting on Her Relationship with America
At the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain on September 21, Angelina Jolie addressed questions about her sense of identity as an artist in America. Responding thoughtfully, she acknowledged her love for the country but admitted,
“It is a very difficult question,”
pausing before adding,
“I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country.”
This statement came amid a culturally tense period following the temporary suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel for controversial remarks, highlighting Jolie’s reflection on the social climate in the U.S.
Plans to Relocate After Years of Consideration
Jolie has considered leaving the U.S. for years, with a notable earlier declaration in 2019 when she told Harper’s Bazaar that she remained in Los Angeles primarily for her children’s proximity to their father, Brad Pitt. She shares custody of six children—Maddox, 24; Pax, 21; Zahara, 20; Shiloh, 19; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 17—with the actor after their 2016 split.
Her longtime intent to live abroad is now moving toward reality. Insiders reveal she is set to relocate following her twins’ birthday in July.
“I would love to live abroad and will do so as soon as my children are 18,”
she previously shared, and sources confirm that she is finally acting on that wish.
Embracing a New Chapter After Divorce
This transition symbolizes a fresh start for Jolie, now 50, in the aftermath of a prolonged and difficult eight-year divorce from Brad Pitt. Friends close to her describe a palpable change:
“You can really feel a shift in Angelina recently; she’s lighter and more at ease,”
one source said.
“She’ll always love L.A., but she feels it has served its purpose. She’s ready for her next chapter.”
Another insider added plainly,
“She’s very excited for this next phase of her life.”
Worldwide Connections Shape Her Future Home
Jolie’s life has always been international, with strong personal and professional ties spanning several continents. Sources indicate she will divide her time between Cambodia, France, and Africa—countries with deep roots in her family’s history. She maintains a property in Cambodia, where she adopted Maddox in 2002; France, where Knox and Vivienne were born in Nice; and parts of Africa connected to her children’s origins—Zahara is from Ethiopia, and Shiloh was born in Namibia.
“She has dear friends in all of [those areas] who she considers confidantes and family,”
one source said, reflecting Jolie’s sense of belonging beyond Hollywood’s boundaries. At the Couture film Q&A session in September, she reinforced this global identity:
“I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life.”
Another source emphasized,
“Angelina thrives when she’s outside of Hollywood. She loves being in cultures that inspire her.”
Work and Life Between Continents
Currently in London for filming Netflix’s Anxious People, Jolie continues to pursue her career internationally. Maddox is assisting as an assistant director on the production, embracing a creative role different from Jolie’s familiar dramatic and action background. Sources explain,
“Angelina will be back and forth to L.A. for work but won’t call L.A. her home,”
with plans to put her $24.5 million Los Feliz mansion up for sale next September.
Moving forward, Jolie aims to deepen her involvement in directing and producing films abroad. She has an established record with titles like Unbroken (2014), First They Killed My Father (2017), and more recent projects such as Couture and Maleficent. A source shared,
“She’s ready to dive deeper into directing and producing.”
Committed to Humanitarian Efforts Worldwide
Humanitarian work continues as a central focus of Jolie’s life. Her long-standing involvement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spanned two decades, starting as Goodwill Ambassador (2001–2012) and then Special Envoy (2012–2022). According to insiders, she plans to maintain her activism, especially in the regions connected to her family and past efforts.
“She plans on giving back to communities in Cambodia, Vietnam and Africa, and she’s open to exploring more of the world and raising awareness and continuing her work with the U.N.,”
one source revealed.
“She’s looking forward to being around like-minded people.”
Balancing Motherhood and Global Ambitions
Despite her international plans, Jolie remains deeply committed to her children.
“The kids will most likely keep roots in L.A. for their careers, but they will spend time with Angelina wherever she ends up as well,”
said one source. Her children share their parents’ artistic passions, with varied interests across filmmaking, dance, fashion, and theater.
Progressively, each child is carving out a unique path: Maddox pursues directing and acting, following in Jolie’s creative footsteps, and even holds a pilot’s license like his mother. Shiloh practices dance, Zahara is a senior at Spelman College, and Pax is exploring fashion design alongside photography. Vivienne contributed as a producer’s assistant on the Broadway production of The Outsiders, highlighting an early involvement in theater. Cornwall Knox recently won a Muay Thai competition in L.A.
“Angelina’s children are a really big force that will lead her [depending on] their interests and where they choose to live,”
a source pointed out.
“She knows she’s going to be very busy keeping up with them after she leaves L.A.”
Motherhood as Jolie’s Core Priority
Jolie’s dedication to her children mirrors the devotion she received from her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who passed away in 2007.
“She’s very immersed in her kids and in their interests right now,”
explained a source.
“Angelina’s mom invested so much in her, and Angie’s doing the same for all of her children.”
Family tensions remain around Brad Pitt, with the children reportedly estranged from their father.
“Brad did have the closest bond with the twins, but they do not talk at all,”
one insider revealed. Nevertheless,
“All the kids are thriving. That’s Angelina’s greatest achievement. Nothing makes her happier,”
added another source.
Rediscovering Herself After Turmoil
Those close to Jolie observe that she is reconnecting with the essence of who she was before her relationship with Pitt.
“She feels like her life is coming full circle [to who she was] pre-Brad,”
an insider said, explaining that Jolie’s passions, including humanitarianism and flying, were sidelined during the marriage.
“She spent so much time devoted to her passions, including humanitarian work and flying, and while she was married to Brad, a lot of that stopped. She was raising her family, and Brad wanted her to cut back on flying. Now, her freedom allows her to connect with her true self again.”
The divorce process, finalized in December 2024 after years of legal challenges, was fraught and took a significant emotional toll. Jolie accused Pitt of emotional and physical abuse in court documents, and in a 2023 Vogue interview, she admitted,
“had a lot of healing to do,”
implying a decade-long struggle with her sense of self.
“Angelina is in a much better place. She’s not dwelling on the past or carrying any baggage, and has worked through a lot of the trauma over the years by doing healing work [and] a lot of therapy. There’s a joy about her that people haven’t seen in years,”
one source remarked. Another added, Jolie
“[used to be] more sullen and emotional”
but now feels
“more grounded and inspired than ever,”
calling it
“exhilarating [for her] to find this unburdened joy after years of trials and tribulations.”
Supportive Inner Circle Helps Navigate Change
Jolie’s close group of friends is tight-knit and includes notable figures like Gwen Stefani, Salma Hayek Pinault, and her former husband Billy Bob Thornton. An insider noted Jolie and Stefani, who bonded in 2004, maintain regular contact:
“talk and text a few times a month”
and meet multiple times yearly. Their children also share connections, as Stefani’s sons Kingston, 19, and Zuma, 17,
“grew up together and remain close”
with Jolie’s kids.
Jolie’s friendship with Salma Hayek Pinault strengthened during the filming of 2021’s The Eternals, with the source commenting,
“Salma has really been there for Angelina during her divorce.”
Billy Bob Thornton also played a protective role during Jolie’s separation from Pitt.
“Billy Bob and Angelina talk on the phone quite a bit. He’s very protective over her,”
the insider said.
Focused on Family and Career, Open to Future Love
Although Jolie has dated a few times in recent years, romance is not her main priority at the moment. A source shared,
“People try to set Angelina up all the time, but she has a lot on her plate right now,”
adding she is uninterested in dating other celebrities. The actress’ reported relationship with The Weeknd in 2021 was described as purely professional, tied to shared philanthropic projects. She also remains on friendly terms with her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller:
“They’re very good friends and always will be,”
a source confirmed.
While marriage is not a current focus, Jolie remains open to the possibility of finding a meaningful connection.
“If she meets someone along the way that she wholeheartedly connects with, someone who understands her, she’ll be open to [a relationship],”
an insider noted. Another source reflected,
“She has been through so much. For now, she’s just focusing on her career and her kids. She’s found herself again, and it feels good.”
Looking Ahead: A Life Reimagined Abroad
As Angelina Jolie prepares to leave behind much of her Hollywood life, she embraces a future that blends family, international homes, creative work, and humanitarian efforts. This move reflects not only a geographic change but a deeply personal evolution toward freedom, healing, and renewed purpose. Her international lifestyle and global connections will continue to shape where and how she lives, while motherhood and her passions remain central to her journey.
