Inside Angelina Jolie's Close Bond with Her Children

May 2024 · 2 minute read

In a new interview with Hello! magazine, Angelina Jolie gave a rare look at the intimate moments of her life as a mom to six kids who are becoming independent teenagers. Watching her children, who range from 11 to 18 years old, mature is both wistful and "fun" for the actress and activist.

"When your children are little you feel more 'mommy,'" she explained. "When they are teenagers you start to remember yourself as a teenager. You see them going to punk clubs and you wonder why you can't go. I'm in this fun moment where I'm rediscovering myself."

"The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind" Special Screening, Hosted by Angelina JolieMonica Schipper//Getty Images

Jolie and her six children—Knox, Vivienne, Pax, Shiloh, Zahara, and Maddox—at a screening in New York City.

Jolie just dropped off her eldest son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, at college in South Korea last month. She told students and fellow parents at the time that she was "trying not to cry" as he marked a major milestone.

The multihyphenate director and producer is a busy woman, but her kids step in to help her feel pampered. "On Mother's Day my children make me breakfast and pick me flowers—they treat me like a lady," she said.

Premiere Of Disney's "Dumbo" - ArrivalsAxelle/Bauer-Griffin//Getty Images

Jolie with four of her children—Knox, Zahara, Vivienne, and Shiloh—at Disney's Dumbo premiere.

Jolie, who is the face of Guerlain, previously told BAZAAR.com that "kindness" is the main value she aims to teach her children. "They're very strong individuals, they are very open-minded and very kind," she said. "I try to lead by example and to be as kind and gracious, and loving and tolerant, as my mother was. But also, when there's a fight that needs to be had, I want them feel they have the strength. So, I hope they are learning to be kind, with a little bit of fight within them."

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Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. 

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