Angelina Jolie is considering a significant life change as she plans to move abroad once her youngest children reach adulthood on July 12, 2024. The actress, known for her role in the Netflix film Maria, walked the red carpet recently with her 19-year-old daughter Zahara, highlighting a pivotal moment before this upcoming transition.
The decision reflects a long-held intention by Jolie, who has expressed a desire to live outside of Los Angeles full-time, a choice delayed due to custody arrangements with her ex-husband Brad Pitt. As she waits for her twins Vivienne and Knox to turn 18, Jolie is set to leave behind Hollywood and explore new locations overseas.
Reasons Behind Angelina Jolie’s Choice to Leave Los Angeles
A close source revealed that Angelina Jolie
“never wanted to live in L.A. full-time”
but was bound by the logistics of co-parenting. The source added,
“She didn’t have a choice because of the custody arrangement with Brad,”
hinting at the complexity of her current living situation. The twins turning 18 opens the door for Jolie to pursue her long-awaited relocation.
Jolie’s priority remains her large family’s well-being. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, she emphasized the importance of quiet and security for her children, saying,
“When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety.”
She contrasted her current environment by stating,
“Sometimes this place can be … that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here.”
The actress intends to spend considerable time in Cambodia and visit other family members worldwide, saying,
“I’ll spend a lot of time in Cambodia. I’ll spend time visiting my family members wherever they may be in the world.”
Deep Connection With Cambodia Influences Her Plans
Angelina Jolie’s bond with Cambodia has shaped her worldview profoundly. She adopted her first child, Maddox, from Cambodia in 2002, drawing her closer to the country and its refugees. Jolie explained to Vogue India,
“Cambodia was the country that made me aware of refugees. It made me engage in foreign affairs in a way I never had, and join UNHCR. Above all, it made me a mom.”
Recalling a formative experience in 2001, Jolie said,
“In 2001, I was in a school program in Samlout playing blocks on the floor with a little kid and as clear as day I thought: ‘My son is here.’ A few months later, I met baby Mad at an orphanage. I can’t explain it and am not one to believe in messages or superstition. But it was just real and clear.”
Family Expansion and Personal Reflections on Adoption
Jolie’s family grew through a combination of biological and adopted children. After establishing a relationship with Brad Pitt, she adopted two more children, Zahara and Pax, who were later embraced by Pitt as his own. Together, Jolie and Pitt share three biological children: Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox.
The actress has expressed that her decision to adopt was deeply personal rather than symbolic. In a 2008 Vanity Fair interview, she reflected,
“When I was growing up, I wanted to adopt because I was aware there were kids that didn’t have parents. It’s not a humanitarian thing, because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other.”
She also shared a heartfelt perspective on her children’s diverse backgrounds, stating,
“I look at Shiloh — because, obviously, physically, she is the one that looks like Brad and I when we were little — and say, ‘If these were our brothers and sisters, how much would we have known by the time we were six that it took into our 30s and 40s to figure out?’ I suppose I’m giving them the childhood I always wished I had.”
Angelina Jolie’s Views on America and Her Global Outlook
Jolie’s international experiences have influenced her perspective on the United States. At the 2023 San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, she voiced criticism of the country’s current state. Jolie stated during a panel,
“I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognize my country.”
She continued,
“I’ve always lived internationally, my family is international, my friends, my life… My worldview is equal, united, and international. Anything anywhere that divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone, I think, is very dangerous.”
Highlighting the seriousness of the moment, she added,
“These are such serious times that we have to be careful not to say things casually. These are very, very heavy times we are living in together.”
Past Advocacy and Critique of U.S. Policies
Jolie has not shied away from expressing her viewpoints on American policies, especially regarding immigration. In 2017, she penned an op-ed opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration ban, clarifying,
“We can manage our security without writing off citizens of entire countries – even babies – as unsafe to visit our country by virtue of geography or religion.”
This stance illustrates her ongoing commitment to humanitarian concerns, influenced by her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and her personal connection through adoption and international advocacy.
The Future Path and Broader Implications
With Angelina Jolie planning to move abroad after her twins’ 18th birthday, this event signifies more than a change of residence—it reflects a shift toward a life shaped by global engagement, family privacy, and a commitment to her values. Her established ties to Cambodia and her international family networks suggest she will maintain a transnational lifestyle focused on both personal and humanitarian priorities.
Her departure from Los Angeles could inspire public discussion about celebrity life beyond Hollywood and highlight evolving perspectives on family and privacy in the public eye. As Jolie prepares for this transition, her journey underscores the complex interplay between personal choice, global citizenship, and societal critique that has defined much of her public life.
