Angelina Jolie Shares Why “Now Is the Right Time” for a New Beginning

Angelina Jolie is preparing for a significant life change as her youngest children, twins Knox and Vivienne, officially enter adulthood.  Their 18th birthday marks more than a family milestone—it also gives the Oscar-winning actress the freedom to move beyond a chapter that has shaped much of the past decade.

According to recent reports, Jolie is looking forward to spending more time abroad after years of putting her children first. While family continues to remain at the center of her life, she is now ready to make long-planned changes and explore new opportunities outside Los Angeles.

On July 12, Knox and Vivienne, whom Jolie shares with former husband Brad Pitt, celebrated their 18th birthday. With all six of her children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne—now adults, Jolie reportedly has “more freedom and flexibility” in her personal life.

Instagram | entertainmenttonight | With all six of her children now adults, Angelina Jolie enjoys newfound personal freedom.

A source told People that the actress is “happy” about reaching this stage and is “ready” for what comes next. The insider also shared that Jolie has discussed leaving Los Angeles for several years and hopes to experience more of the world alongside her children.

According to the source, “The kids have always been her priority,” a statement that reflects the role family has played throughout her personal and professional decisions.

Why Leaving LA Matters to Jolie

Jolie first spoke publicly about her desire to relocate during an August 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She explained that she had remained in Los Angeles because of her divorce proceedings with Brad Pitt.

“I grew up in” Los Angeles, Jolie said, before adding, “because I have to be here from a divorce.” Speaking about Knox and Vivienne, she continued, “But as soon as they’re 18, I’ll be able to leave.”

Jolie and Pitt separated in 2016, and their divorce was officially finalized in December 2024 after years of legal proceedings.

During the same interview, Jolie explained why privacy had become increasingly important.

“When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety,” she said. She noted that although she owns a home in Los Angeles where she raised her children, she has often felt more connected to the sense of humanity she experienced while traveling internationally than what she grew up with in the city.

She also revealed future plans, saying, “I’ll spend a lot of time in Cambodia. I’ll spend time visiting my family members wherever they may be in the world.”

Reports suggest that Jolie has already started preparing for the transition. In May 2026, People reported that she listed her historic Los Angeles estate for $29.85 million. The property, originally owned by filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, was purchased by Jolie in 2017.

Another source told the publication that the actress “plans to relocate as soon as Knox and Viv turn 18” and is currently considering several international destinations. The insider added, “She’ll be very happy when she’s able to leave Los Angeles.”

Family Continues to Come First

Although Jolie is planning major changes, her children remain the focus of her life. During an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, she shared that she has not dated since ending her marriage.

“I haven’t dated or been with anyone since I divorced a decade ago,” Jolie said. She explained that her attention has remained on raising her children and supporting her family.

Instagram | @plaza_senayan | Focused entirely on her children, Angelina Jolie hasn’t dated since her divorce a decade ago.

“So I kind of get in my head that that aspect of me is not centered in my life if I’m focusing on my children and my family,” she added.

Jolie also reflected on the emotional impact of the past several years, saying, “Life has broken me a little. I have to live again. Be free again.”

Her Children Are Encouraging the Next Step

In a conversation with Variety, the actress shared that her children have encouraged her to reconnect with parts of herself that had been placed on hold.

“I think my fighting spirit is finally back. I lost it for a bit. I got kind of taken down a little bit, and it’s coming back in large part thanks to my children, who are now older and encouraging it,” she said.

She also explained, “My kids are almost all 18, so now they want to see me traveling the world, they want me to get out and do things. They know me more than anybody, and they still like me, which says a lot. I think they’re very encouraging of me kind of getting back to aspects of myself that maybe I hadn’t felt as free to do.”

A separate source told People that motherhood continues to bring Jolie the greatest happiness. According to the insider, she encourages each of her children to develop their own interests and talents while making sure they feel supported in pursuing what matters most to them.

With all six of her children now adults, Angelina Jolie is preparing to leave Los Angeles and spend more time in Cambodia while visiting family in different parts of the world. As she begins this new phase, the support of her children continues to play an important role in her future plans.