Angelina Jolie is pulling back the curtain on her personal life in a way she rarely does. In a candid new interview, the Oscar-winning actress has admitted that she has been single for the past decade following her high-profile divorce from Brad Pitt. The revelation came as she promoted her upcoming film, Couture, a emotional drama that touches on love, identity, and the strength required to rebuild a life after trauma.
Speaking to Yahoo Entertainment, the 51-year-old star disclosed that she has not dated anyone since her separation from Pitt in 2016. "To be candid, I haven't dated since I divorced a decade ago," she said. "Motherhood and family have been at the center of my world, and I haven't made room for anything else." Her honesty has sparked fresh conversation about the difficult years following one of Hollywood's most publicized splits, and the raw emotional toll that such a journey can take.
Jolie's new film, Couture, stars her as Maxine Walker, an American filmmaker whose life is upended after being diagnosed with breast cancer during Paris Fashion Week. The role forced the actress to confront deep questions about love, purpose, and what it means to live fully even in the face of adversity. Jolie admitted that the character's struggle resonated with her own experiences. "It took me a second to embrace the idea that a mother could also be a woman seeking love and connection," she confessed. "The film challenged some of my own assumptions about relationships after divorce."
In perhaps her most poignant admission yet, Jolie reflected on where she finds herself today. Rather than simply worrying about aging, she said she feels a strong yearning to start living more freely again. "I'm thinking I have to live again. Be free again. In a way that maybe life has broken me a little bit," she said. The sentiment underscores the emotional weight she has carried since her split from Pitt, which led to a lengthy and highly publicized legal battle over custody, financial matters, and mutual allegations that dominated tabloid headlines for years.
Throughout this period, Jolie has maintained a fierce commitment to her six children: Maddox, now 23; Pax, 20; Zahara, 19; Shiloh, 18; and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16. She has often spoken about the challenges of single parenthood while navigating her own healing process. In this interview, however, she revealed a surprising source of inspiration: her daughters. "My girls are helping me reconnect with myself beyond being just Mom," she said. "Watching them grow into strong, confident women has made me reflect on what I want for them—and what I may have lost along the way." Jolie noted that her children are actively encouraging her to embrace a new chapter, one in which she is more than just a devoted parent. "Their strength, openness, and confidence remind me that there is still room for my own dreams and identity," she added.
The actress's career spans decades, from her early breakout in Girl, Interrupted (1999) to blockbuster hits like Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Maleficent, and Changeling. In addition to acting, Jolie has directed several films, including In the Land of Blood and Honey, Unbroken, and First They Killed My Father. Her humanitarian work as a UNHCR Special Envoy has earned global recognition, and she remains deeply involved in advocacy for refugee rights, women's empowerment, and conservation. Yet despite her many accomplishments, the shadow of her marriage to Pitt has lingered.
Jolie and Pitt met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005 while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. The couple began a high-profile relationship that captivated the world. They married in 2014 in a private ceremony in France, but after just two years of marriage, Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. The legal proceedings became notoriously bitter, involving custody battles, allegations of substance abuse (which Pitt denied), and a subsequent investigation by the FBI and child protective services. Both parties eventually reached a settlement, and the divorce was finalized in 2019. However, ongoing disputes over their estate and other matters kept the couple in court for years.
While Jolie says she has remained single, Brad Pitt has moved on with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, a jewelry executive. The couple began dating in 2022 and have become one of Hollywood's most talked-about pairs. Recent reports have even suggested that wedding bells could be in their future, with speculation that they are considering taking the next big step together. This contrast has not gone unnoticed by fans and media, who often compare the two stars' post-divorce trajectories.
Jolie's decision to remain single for a decade is striking in an industry where relationships are often quickly rebounded. She has prioritized her children above all else, homeschooling them at various times and traveling with them around the world. Her family includes three biological children—Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne—and three adopted children: Maddox from Cambodia, Pax from Vietnam, and Zahara from Ethiopia. Each child has a unique story, and Jolie has been open about how her own childhood insecurities led her to build a diverse and loving family.
In recent years, Jolie has slowly begun to reemerge in the public eye, attending red carpet events with her children and taking on more selective acting roles. She has also stepped into fashion, launching a sustainable clothing line and collaborating with designers. Yet she still grapples with the weight of her past. "Life has broken me a little bit," she admitted, acknowledging the emotional scars that remain. Nevertheless, she expressed optimism about the future. "I'm thinking about what I want for myself. I want to be free again."
The news has sparked widespread discussion among fans and commentators. Many have praised her honesty and resilience, while others have questioned why she chose to stay single for so long. Some see it as a testament to her devotion to her children; others view it as a reflection of the deep wounds left by her divorce. Whatever the interpretation, Jolie's words have resonated with many who have experienced similar struggles in the aftermath of a painful breakup.
In parallel, the entertainment industry continues to watch the Pitt and Jolie saga with fascination. Their respective legal battles have drawn attention to issues of domestic violence, addiction, and the complexities of co-parenting under a microscope. Jolie has never publicly detailed the specific reasons for the divorce, but she has hinted at emotional turmoil in past interviews. She once told Vogue that she was "struggling" after the split and needed to "find her footing."
Now, with her children nearly all grown—the youngest twins are 16—Jolie appears to be on the verge of a new chapter. She has several film projects in the pipeline, including the sequel to Maleficent and a biographical drama about opera singer Maria Callas. She also continues her humanitarian work, recently visiting refugee camps in Jordan and Bangladesh. Whether romance will ever reenter her life remains uncertain. But for now, as she put it, she is focused on rediscovering who she is outside the roles of mother and Hollywood star.
Her interview serves as a powerful reminder that even the most glamorous lives can be fraught with pain and loneliness. By speaking openly about her decade of singleness and the way life has "broken" her, Jolie offers a rare glimpse into the private struggles of a woman who has always maintained a poised public facade. It is a story of resilience, of slowly piecing oneself back together after a profound loss, and of the quiet courage it takes to start again.
Source: MSN News