Nearly a year after splitting from husband Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and her six children are still picking up the pieces of their once seemingly perfect life.
With Jolie’s first film since announcing their separation debuting on Netflix on Friday, a Cambodian war epic titled “First They Killed My Father,” the actress has officially returned to the spotlight with a handful of revealing interviews.
“I have had my ups and downs. I guess I am a little bit stronger,” the actress told People about the past year. “We all have our difficult times, but as a mother you also have a responsibility first and foremost towards the kids. They are going through their formative years and everything else comes second to that.”
“None of it’s easy,” she also told The New York Times. “It’s very, very difficult, a very painful situation, and I just want my family healthy.”
Jolie poses with some of her children at the Toronto International Film Festival. (Photo: VALERIE MACON via Getty Images)
The former couple’s children, Maddox, 16, Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, Shiloh, 11, Vivienne and Knox, 9, have been at the center of a custody battle between the two, stemming from an alleged incident of child abuse on a private jet, involving Pitt. The actor was later cleared of all charges ― Jolie still retains full custody of their children ― and relations between them have improved since deciding to settle their differences out of court.
“Everything will be around the children,” she told People. “I haven’t worked for over a year now because they needed me home. Everything was just stopped. I’m really sitting and talking with them because everything affects them. Every location, every type of project, I’m going to have to adjust it to however much they can handle.”
“They really help me so much. We’re really such a unit,” she added. “They’re the best friends I’ve ever had. Nobody in my life has ever stood by me more.”
“I think they’re itching to get out in the world again,” Jolie revealed. “We’ve all been a bit in lockdown and going through some things. I think it would be good to get out there and play together.”
Despite her admittedly insular life with her children at her side, Jolie isn’t blind to public perception or afraid to return to an industry that, in part, stood by her estranged husband.
“I never expect to be the one that everybody understands or likes,” she said. “And that’s O.K., because I know who I am, and the kids know who I am.”
In December 2005, Brad's publicist confirms that he is in the process of becoming a legal parent to Maddox and Zahara, who Angelina adopted in 2003 and 2005, respectively. The request is approved and the children's surnames are changed to Jolie-Pitt.
In 2006, they become parents to Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt and hold a press conference to share the news. Shiloh was born in Namibia on 27 May.
The couple often travel together with all of their children while filming various projects around the world. In November 2006, they stay in India with Zahara and Maddox while Ange films 'A Mighty Heart'.
December 2006: Brad supports Angelina at the premiere of her film 'The Good Shepherd'.
Angelina first publicly confirmed their relationship when she announced her pregnancy in 2006.
In December 2006, Angelina gives an interview where she addresses reports claiming she began dating Brad while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Angelina states that while they became "very good friends" during filming, they did not pursue a romantic relationship until after his split from Jen.
Angelina's comments anger Brad's ex Jennifer Aniston, who brands the actress's actions "not cool".
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend the premiere for 'A Mighty Heart' at the Palais des Festivals during the 60th International Cannes Film Festival on 21 May, 2007.
In 2007, Angelina adopts Pax from Vietnam, where he was abandoned as a baby. Angelina adopts Pax as a single parent as Vietnam laws state unmarried couples cannot adopt children.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the audience at the 14th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium on January 27, 2008.
Angelina confirms that she is pregnant with twins at Cannes Film Festival in May 2008.
In July 2008, Angelina gives birth to son, Knox Léon, and daughter, Vivienne in a Nice hospital. The couple sold the photos for millions of pounds and donated the money to charity.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrives at the 14th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at the Santa Monica Civic Center in January 2009 in Santa Monica, California.
Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 81st Annual Academy Awards in February 2009.
Angelina and Brad arrive at the premiere of 'Inglourious Basterds' in August 2009.
Brangelina at the Los Angeles Premiere 'Salt' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on 19 July 2010 in Hollywood, California.
In 2011, Brad speaks to People about his previous marriage, telling the mag he spent a lot of time "sitting on a couch, holding a joint" in the '90s. "I think that my marriage had something to do with it," he said. "Trying to pretend the marriage was something that it wasn't."
Brad supports Ang at the premiere of 'In The Land Of Blood And Honey', which she wrote, directed and produced.
In 2012, the couple announce their engagement. The actress's engagement ring is rumoured to have cost around $250,000, with Brad being "heavily involved" in the design.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on January 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
The actors attend 'In the Land Of Blood And Honey' Pairs premiere on February 16, 2012 in Paris, France.
Angelina and her leg steal the show at the 84th Annual Academy Awards in February 2012.
Brad gives his most revealing interview to date in Esquire, praising his then fiance for "heroic" way of dealing with her double mastectomy. 'It was really important to her to share the story and that others would understand it doesn't have to be a scary thing" he states. "In fact, it can be an empowering thing, and something that makes you stronger and us stronger.'
2013: Brad opens up about his previous marriage to Jennifer, stating he spent a lot of time doing too much "drug damage" to himself while in the relationship.
Angelina attends a 'Maleficent' photocall. The couple's daughter Vivienne also stars in the movie.
Angelina and Brad attend the Oscars in 2014, where Brad's film '12 Years A Slave' scoops a number of Awards, including Best Picture.
