Angelina Jolie: Plans to Move Abroad After Twins Turn 18

Angelina Jolie is preparing for a significant shift in her life, planning to relocate abroad after her twins, Vivienne and Knox, come of age on July 12th. The move, long considered, marks a turning point for the actress and a potential departure from the Hollywood landscape she’s navigated for decades.

According to a source familiar with Jolie’s plans, the Eternals star “never wanted to live in L.A. Full-time.” The custody arrangement with ex-husband Brad Pitt previously limited her options, but with her youngest children reaching adulthood, Jolie is now free to pursue a life outside of Los Angeles.

The decision isn’t simply about escaping the spotlight, but about creating a more private and secure environment for her family. “When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety,” Jolie explained to The Hollywood Reporter in 2024. She acknowledged a disconnect between the values she’s encountered globally and her experience within the United States, stating, “that humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here.”

While several locations are under consideration, Cambodia holds a particularly strong pull for Jolie. Her connection to the country dates back to 2002, when she adopted her eldest son, Maddox, from an orphanage there. “Cambodia was the country that made me aware of refugees,” she shared in an interview with Vogue India. “It made me engage in foreign affairs in a way I never had, and join UNHCR. Above all, it made me a mum.” She recounted a vivid moment in 2001, playing with a child in Samlout, where she felt a profound sense of connection, foreshadowing her future adoption.

Jolie’s family has grown through adoption, welcoming Zahara and Pax into her life alongside Pitt. Together, they also share three biological children: Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox. Jolie has consistently emphasized the deeply personal nature of her decision to adopt, framing it not as a charitable act, but as a reciprocal gift. “It’s not a humanitarian thing, because I don’t see it as a sacrifice. It’s a gift. We’re all lucky to have each other,” she told Vanity Fair in 2008.

Beyond her personal family life, Jolie’s evolving perspective on the United States has played a role in her decision. In September 2025, while attending the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain, she voiced her concerns about the current state of her country. “I love my country, but at this time, I don’t recognise my country,” she stated during a panel discussion. She expressed a commitment to values of inclusivity and freedom of expression, warning against anything that “divides or limits personal expressions and freedoms from anyone.”

This sentiment isn’t new. Jolie has been a vocal critic of American policies for years, notably publishing an op-ed in The New York Times in 2017 opposing President Donald Trump’s immigration ban. She argued for a security approach that didn’t involve “writing off citizens of entire countries – even babies – as unsafe to visit our country by virtue of geography or religion.”

Jolie’s planned move represents more than just a change of address. it’s a culmination of years of personal growth, evolving priorities, and a growing sense of disconnect from her home country. Her international work with the UNHCR, coupled with her experiences as a mother, have shaped a worldview that prioritizes global unity and individual freedom. As she prepares to embark on this new chapter, Jolie appears determined to create a life for her family that reflects those values, even if it means leaving Hollywood behind.

The actress’s future endeavors remain to be seen, but her commitment to humanitarian work and her continued presence in the film industry suggest she will remain a significant figure on the global stage, regardless of her physical location. Her decision to prioritize her children’s well-being and seek a life rooted in peace and privacy signals a new era for the actress, one defined by personal fulfillment and a dedication to a more inclusive and equitable world.