Angelina Jolie recently shared heartfelt thoughts about motherhood amid her ongoing divorce battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt. Speaking with The Sunday Times, the Maleficent star, 49, expressed how being a parent is “everything” to her while promoting her new film, Maria.
In the biopic, Jolie portrays the iconic opera singer Maria Callas, sparking Oscar buzz for her performance. Reflecting on Callas’ loneliness, Jolie noted, “Maria didn’t have a family, so her work was everything. My work is not everything. Being a parent is everything.”
Jolie and Pitt, who separated in 2016 after two years of marriage, share six children: Maddox (23), Pax (21), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16). Despite being declared legally single in 2019, their divorce proceedings continue, with a trial over their French vineyard scheduled for next year.
Jolie also shared moments of gratitude, revealing that her sons Maddox and Pax worked on the Mariaset as production assistants. “It gave us opportunities to discuss relationships and violence, things you don’t always get to explore with your sons,” she explained.
Meanwhile, reports suggest tension remains between Pitt and his children, with sources alleging limited contact. However, Jolie’s camp emphasized her encouragement of family connections, including maintaining ties with Pitt’s parents.
In Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín (Jackie, Spencer), Jolie channels the vulnerabilities of Callas, aiming to redefine the term “diva.” The actress explained, “Maria was vulnerable because she felt deeply and lived through her communication with the audience. That’s something I relate to.”
As Jolie transitions into a new chapter with her children growing older, she is embracing the opportunity to focus on creative projects. “It’s a new season in our lives,” she said.
The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, had a limited U.S. theatrical release on November 27 and will debut on Netflix on December 11.
