Angelina Jolie recently hit a huge milestone—turning 50 years old.
It’s a moment to reflect on an incredible journey that started with Hollywood royalty and blossomed into a career all her own.
Born into the spotlight as the daughter of legendary actor Jon Voight, Angelina quickly made a name for herself as a fearless actress in her teenage years.
But beyond her famous roles and high-profile relationships, there’s a lot about this multifaceted star that most people don’t know.
To mark her big day, here’s a fun and fascinating look at 50 lesser-known facts about Angelina Jolie, the powerhouse actress, humanitarian, and mother of six.
Early Life and Family Roots
Angelina Jolie was born Angelina Jolie Voight—yes, Jolie isn’t even her original last name!
Despite rocking dark hair for most of her career, she was born blonde and recently embraced lighter locks again.
Her famous father, Jon Voight, is 86 years old and well-known for the Mission: Impossible series.
Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, chose actors Jacqueline Bisset and Maximilian Schell as Angelina’s godparents even before she was born.
Jolie’s family connections go beyond just acting: she’s the niece of singer-songwriter Chip Taylor, who penned the classic hit “Wild Thing.”
Growing up wasn’t always easy, though—she was bullied in high school for being slender.
Personal Life and Relationships
Angelina’s personal life has been just as intriguing as her career.
At just 19, she married Hackers co-star Jonny Lee Miller; although they divorced, they remain friends.
Later, her highly publicized marriage to Brad Pitt produced six children, with their wedding in France featuring a veil embroidered by their kids.
Her romantic history also includes a relationship with model Jenny Shimizu, whom she dated around 1996.
Angelina has even admitted to keeping a gun at home and describes herself as a bit of a punk—someone who questions norms rather than follows them.
Career Highlights and Talents
From her very first credited role in Lookin’ To Get Out as Angelina Jolie Voight to her iconic parts as Maleficent and Tigress in Kung Fu Panda, Angelina’s career spans a remarkable range.
She’s done her own stunts (reportedly 99% in Salt), sung opera after months of vocal training for her role as Maria Callas, and voiced memorable animated characters.
She’s also had a music video phase, working with stars like Lenny Kravitz and The Rolling Stones, and graced around 28 Vogue covers worldwide.
Surprisingly, she admits she’s not great at cooking despite her glamorous image.
Humanitarian Efforts and Honors
Angelina’s dedication goes far beyond the screen.
She holds Cambodian citizenship, reflecting her deep connection to the country, and has expressed plans to live there once her twins become adults.
Her work with the UN Refugee Agency has taken her to war zones like Mosul and Sinjar.
Her humanitarian efforts earned her an honorary damehood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2014.
Jolie also channels proceeds from her jewelry line and boutique, Atelier Jolie, toward charities that support children affected by conflict.
Quirky and Unexpected Facts
Did you know she’s a licensed private pilot, flying a Cirrus SR22?
Or that she studied directing and screenwriting at New York University while also training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute?
She’s famous for her extensive tattoo collection—over 30, including a sparrow on her chest shared with some of her kids.
Angelina’s favorite country to visit is Cambodia, she often hides her size 9 feet in beige shoes, and she’s hired refugees to help run her restaurant.
Despite all her fame, she admits she can’t cook basic meals and prefers questioning authority, which fuels her punk spirit.
Challenges and Personal Health
Angelina has been open about her health struggles, undergoing preventive surgeries like a double mastectomy and removal of ovaries after discovering she carries the BRCA1 gene mutation, increasing her cancer risk.
She’s used her experiences to raise awareness and inspire others.
What’s Next for Angelina?
With a net worth estimated at $120 million in 2025 and ongoing projects like the possibility of Maleficent 3, Angelina Jolie continues to evolve.
She balances motherhood, activism, acting, and even business ventures, proving there’s no slowing down for this extraordinary woman.
What surprises will the next chapter bring for Angelina?
Only time will tell, but one thing is clear—her story is far from finished.