Angelina Jolie is preparing to leave Los Angeles behind and plans to move overseas once her youngest children become adults this summer. The actress and humanitarian has openly said she no longer feels connected to the United States, offering sharp criticism of the nation’s current direction.
The 50-year-old, who has long intended to leave Los Angeles, stayed due to her custody agreement with ex-husband Brad Pitt. That responsibility changes when her twins, Vivienne and Knox, turn 18 on July 12, granting her the freedom to pursue the international move she has considered for years.
A source said Jolie never wanted to live in Los Angeles permanently and only remained because of the custody terms with Pitt. With her youngest children nearing their 18th birthday, she is now exploring several potential destinations abroad and is expected to be relieved once she can finally depart the city.
Part of Jolie’s exit strategy includes preparing to sell her Los Angeles residence, a historic estate she bought in 2017 for $24.5 million. The 11,000-square-foot property has six bedrooms and 10 bathrooms and is considered one of the most notable homes in the area.
The estate is steeped in Hollywood history. Director Cecil B. DeMille purchased it in 1916 and lived there for almost 40 years until his passing in 1959. Charlie Chaplin occupied the neighboring property, which DeMille eventually bought and merged with his own, forming the expansive estate that exists today.
While attending the San Sebastián Film Festival in Spain in September 2024 for promotional events, Jolie expressed her feelings about the United States. She said that although she loves her country, she no longer recognizes it.
During the festival, Jolie elaborated on her global perspective, noting that her worldview is unified, international, and inclusive. She warned that anything that divides or restricts personal freedoms is extremely dangerous.
Jolie has lived an international life throughout her career, with loved ones scattered around the world. Her unease with Los Angeles is rooted not only in politics but also in concerns about her children’s quality of life. In a 2024 interview, she explained that with a large family, she prioritizes privacy, peace, and safety.
After relocating, Jolie plans to spend significant time in Cambodia and visit family wherever they are. Cambodia holds deep personal meaning for her, as it is where she adopted her eldest son, Maddox, in 2002.
Jolie explained that Cambodia was the country that introduced her to the plight of refugees and made her a mother.
She recalled a moment in 2001, while taking part in a school program in Samlout, when she was playing with a child and suddenly felt her son was there. Months later, she met Maddox in an orphanage. Jolie considers Cambodia her “home in her heart.”
In 2003, Jolie purchased a home in Cambodia, cementing her bond with the country that changed her life and career. During her relationship with Pitt, she also adopted Zahara and Pax, who were later adopted by Pitt as well. The former couple shares three biological children: Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox.
Jolie and Pitt finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024, bringing an end to an eight-year legal battle that began with their 2016 separation.
The actress has often been vocal about U.S. policy. Her humanitarian work, which has taken her to conflict zones and refugee camps worldwide, has shaped her global outlook and reinforced her belief in shared humanity.
When speaking about adoption, Jolie has consistently said her choices came from personal conviction, not public image. She has explained that as a child, she knew she wanted to adopt because she understood that many children lacked parents. She views adoption not as a sacrifice but as a gift in which everyone involved is fortunate.
Jolie has noted that her children’s diverse backgrounds gave them insights she and Pitt needed decades to gain. Seeing Shiloh, who resembles both parents, she wondered how much her children would understand by age six that took her and Pitt years to learn. She has said she is giving her children the kind of upbringing she always hoped for.
With her twins nearing adulthood, Jolie’s long-postponed plan to live abroad is finally becoming reality. Sources say she is making preparations to complete minor updates on her historic Los Angeles home before listing it. The move marks more than a change of residence—it represents a shift in how one of Hollywood’s most prominent figures wants to live.
In addition to Cambodia, Jolie is also looking at options in Europe and New York as she plans her life after Los Angeles. The choice reflects her belief that true privacy, peace, and safety for children require an environment different from what Los Angeles currently provides.
As July approaches, Jolie seems ready to permanently close her Los Angeles chapter. Her departure will end a Hollywood residence maintained more out of legal necessity than desire, giving her the freedom to pursue the globally focused life she has long envisioned for herself and her family.
