Angelina Jolie, the Oscar-winning actress and humanitarian, made a powerful declaration about motherhood during her recent appearance on Good Morning America. She spoke with host Michael Strahan about her upcoming film, “Maria.”
The 49-year-old star, who portrays legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the Pablo Larraín-directed biopic, didn’t hesitate to ask what matters most in her life. “It’s my happiness,” Jolie revealed about motherhood. “You can take everything else away from me. Nothing else matters.”
The actress’s journey into motherhood began in 2002 when she adopted Maddox, now 23, from Cambodia. Her family grew to include Pax (20), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16). While promoting “Maria,” Jolie shared that her eldest sons, Maddox and Pax, have followed her into the film industry, working behind the scenes in the assistant directing department.
The production of “Maria” proved challenging for Jolie, who underwent nearly seven months of rigorous opera training. “I thought it would be like movie singing,” she admitted, “but you can’t fake-sing opera.” Her first singing lesson brought her to tears, an experience she likened to therapy. Her sons provided crucial support during these vulnerable moments, helping to block the door during her initial nervous performances.
Despite their connection to Hollywood, Jolie revealed that her children prefer to stay out of the spotlight. “They’re quite private,” she explained, mentioning her daughter Shiloh being “extremely private.” The actress understood their desire for privacy, acknowledging that “they weren’t born with privacy” and expressing hope that they can find it as they mature.
The impact of motherhood extends beyond Jolie’s personal life into her professional choices. She recently disclosed to The Hollywood Reporter that she had deliberately scaled back her work commitments to spend more time with her children. With her children growing more independent, she’s entering what she calls “a new season in our lives.”
The actress’s maternal instincts also influence her approach to global issues. “I’m trying to understand how to be a guide for my children best, to make sure that they are good people,” she reflected. This perspective shapes her engagement with foreign policy and humanitarian causes, though she admits to sometimes feeling inadequate in her efforts to create positive change.
The transition hasn’t been without its challenges. Following her highly publicized divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016, Jolie has focused on her children’s well-being. Her recent work on “Maria” marks a significant return to intensive acting, with her sons witnessing her dedication to her craft while maintaining her primary role as their mother.
Through all the changes in her life – from Hollywood star to humanitarian to opera singer in her latest role – Jolie’s message remains consistent: motherhood is her greatest joy and most significant achievement. Her candid revelations offer a glimpse into the private world of one of Hollywood’s most famous families, where the simple bonds of parent and child remain paramount despite the glare of public attention.