Top 10 Unknown and Amazing Facts About Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie Voight is an acclaimed American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian. Known for her striking roles in major Hollywood films and her extensive humanitarian work, Jolie has garnered numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also been named Hollywood’s highest-paid actress multiple times, solidifying her status as one of the industry’s most influential figures.
In this blog post, we’ll explore ten of these unknown and amazing facts about Angelina Jolie that go beyond her blockbuster movies and public persona.
1. Her Name Has a Poetic Meaning
Angelina Jolie Voight was born on June 4, 1975, to actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand. The name “Angelina” is a derivative of the word “angel,” which means a messenger of God, symbolizing purity and goodness. Her middle name, “Jolie,” is the French word for “pretty” or “beautiful.” Interestingly, her parents gave her the name Jolie as a middle name, but she later dropped her last name “Voight” and chose to use “Jolie” professionally. This allowed her to distance herself from her father, with whom she had a strained relationship, while embracing a name that resonated with her independent identity.
2. A Tough Childhood and Early Independence
Angelina’s early years were filled with emotional turmoil. Her parents separated when she was still an infant, leaving her to be raised primarily by her mother. Her father’s absence created a void that impacted her deeply. Jolie’s relationship with Jon Voight has been fraught with ups and downs, contributing to a sense of abandonment that shaped her teenage years.
As a young adult, she became estranged from her father and struggled with her sense of identity and belonging. To cope with her pain, she turned to rebellious activities, which led her to become fiercely independent at an early age. By the time she was a teenager, she had dropped out of acting school and moved out on her own, embracing a self-reliant lifestyle that would define her adult life.
3. A Deep Commitment to Humanitarian Work
Though she is known as one of Hollywood’s most bankable actresses, Angelina Jolie’s humanitarian efforts are just as impactful, if not more so. Over the years, she has traveled to numerous war-torn regions and refugee camps as a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador, a role she held for many years before becoming a Special Envoy in 2012.
Jolie has visited countries such as Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Iraq, and Sudan, witnessing firsthand the devastation caused by war, famine, and displacement. These experiences deeply affected her and motivated her to make a lasting difference. She has donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including building schools, providing medical care, and advocating for refugees’ rights worldwide.
In 2003, she founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, named after her eldest son, which focuses on conservation work and community development in Cambodia. Angelina has received several humanitarian awards, including the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, proving that her commitment to making the world a better place is not just a part of her public image but a core aspect of who she is.
4. Angelina’s Passion for Knife Collecting
This might come as a surprise to some, but Angelina Jolie has a unique hobby—knife collecting! Her passion for knives began at a young age, reportedly when her mother took her to purchase her first set as a bonding experience. Over time, she has developed a fascination with antique knives and blades, amassing an impressive collection.
Jolie has also been open about her interest in martial arts and weaponry, and her love for knives even extended into her personal life. In her younger years, she was known for engaging in activities like knife play with her former partners, which she later spoke about candidly. Today, though, she collects knives more as a hobby, focusing on their historical and cultural significance.
5. Her Unconventional Tattoos
Angelina Jolie’s body art is as much a part of her identity as her acting career. Each tattoo tells a story, representing significant moments in her life, her children, and her beliefs. One of her most famous tattoos is a large tiger on her lower back, which she got during a trip to Thailand in 2004. The tattoo was done using a traditional hand-poking method known as Sak Yant, and it is said to symbolize power and protection.
Other tattoos include coordinates of her children’s birthplaces, a Buddhist Pali incantation on her shoulder for protection, and a quote from Tennessee Williams that reads, “A prayer for the wild at heart, kept in cages.” Jolie has also covered up or removed some of her past tattoos, including the one she had with her ex-husband, Billy Bob Thornton’s name, which she replaced with the geographic coordinates of her children’s birthplaces after their divorce.
6. A Skilled Pilot
In addition to being an actress and humanitarian, Angelina Jolie is a licensed pilot. She earned her pilot’s license in 2004 after being inspired by her son Maddox’s fascination with airplanes. She often speaks about how flying helps her clear her mind and provides her with a sense of freedom. Jolie owns a Cirrus SR22 aircraft and has flown it on numerous occasions.
Flying has become a form of therapy for her, a way to break away from the pressures of her life in Hollywood. It’s also something she shares with her children, giving them the opportunity to experience flight with her.
7. She’s a Published Author
Angelina Jolie is not just a talented actress but also a writer. In 2003, she published a book titled “Notes from My Travels,” which chronicles her experiences during her early humanitarian trips with the UNHCR. The book is a compilation of journal entries and personal reflections from her visits to countries like Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Pakistan.
Her writing delves into the emotional and often heartbreaking situations she witnessed in refugee camps and war-torn areas, showing her genuine care for people in need. The proceeds from the book were donated to charity, further underscoring her commitment to humanitarian causes.
8. A Health Warrior
Angelina Jolie’s decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy in 2013 shocked the world. After discovering that she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which greatly increased her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, she made the brave choice to have the surgery to reduce her chances of getting the disease. Jolie’s mother, grandmother, and aunt had all passed away from cancer, making this decision personal and profound.
In 2015, Jolie revealed that she also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to further reduce her risk of ovarian cancer. Her openness about these medical choices has had a significant impact, inspiring other women to learn more about their health and encouraging discussions on preventive care.
9. She Was Almost a Funeral Director
One of the lesser-known facts about Angelina Jolie is that she once aspired to become a funeral director. In an interview, Jolie revealed that after her grandfather’s funeral was poorly organized, she became interested in planning funerals. At the age of 14, she even took a course in embalming.
Jolie’s fascination with death and funerals is something she has spoken about candidly, attributing it to her desire to make sure people have dignified and respectful send-offs. Though she ultimately pursued a career in acting, her unique interest in this field highlights the depth and variety of her passions.
10. She Has Dual Citizenship
While Angelina Jolie is widely known as an American actress, she also holds Cambodian citizenship. Jolie’s connection to Cambodia began when she filmed “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” in the country in 2000. During her time there, she fell in love with the culture and people, eventually adopting her first son, Maddox, from Cambodia in 2002.
In 2005, Jolie was granted Cambodian citizenship by the country’s king, Norodom Sihamoni, in recognition of her work with conservation efforts and her dedication to the country. This dual citizenship reflects Jolie’s deep ties to Cambodia, a place that holds a special place in her heart.