Hollywood star Angelina Jolie is reportedly preparing for a major life change: she plans to leave the United States and relocate overseas after her youngest children reach adulthood, citing concerns about the country’s current social and political climate. The comments from the Oscar‑winning actress — who has long lived an internationally oriented life — have sparked conversation about her future and her evolving relationship with her homeland.
Jolie’s potential move comes as her twins, Vivienne and Knox, are set to turn 18 in July 2026, which will remove a key legal constraint tied to her custody arrangement with her ex‑husband Brad Pitt. Once her youngest children are legally adults, friends and insiders say she intends to spend significant time living abroad, possibly in locations that offer more privacy, peace and safety for her large family.
🌍 Why the Move Now? Family and Perspective
According to sources, Jolie never particularly wanted to live full‑time in Los Angeles, but remained there due to custody obligations. With that obligation set to end, her long‑held desire to step back from the full‑time Hollywood lifestyle appears ready to become reality. “She’ll be very happy when she’s able to leave Los Angeles,” an insider recently told People magazine.
For Jolie, parenthood has been central to many of her life decisions. With six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox — she has often spoken about the importance of privacy and safety for her family’s wellbeing. The ability to live abroad could allow a lifestyle that feels calmer and more connected to the broader world than the near‑constant public scrutiny of life in LA.
🇺🇸 ‘I Love My Country, But I Don’t Recognize It’
The star’s reported plans to relocate internationally are also linked to remarks she made at the San Sebastián Film Festival last year while promoting her film Couture. In that press appearance, Jolie was asked what she feared as an artist and as an American. She responded candidly that, although she loves the United States, she didn’t “recognize” her country at that time, particularly in the context of freedom of expression and what she described as “very, very heavy times.”
Jolie’s comments reflected her longstanding international perspective — one shaped by years of travel, humanitarian work and deep cultural ties around the world. She explained that her worldview has always been “equal, united and international,” and expressed concern about forces she believes could limit personal expression and freedoms.
Her remarks drew attention from global media and entertainment outlets, with many noting the contrast between her strong affection for the U.S. and her growing discomfort with its current political and social climate.
✈️ Where Might She Go?
Jolie has frequently spoken about her deep personal connections overseas, particularly to Cambodia, where she adopted her eldest son, Maddox, in 2002. She has described Cambodia as a formative part of her humanitarian awakening and a place where she found a sense of global community and meaning. As such, it is expected that she may spend significant time there once she has the flexibility to live abroad.
Beyond Cambodia, friends suggest Jolie is exploring several international locations that could offer the lifestyle and privacy she wants for her children, though she has not confirmed a specific destination publicly.
👨👩👧 The Role of Family in Her Decision
Jolie’s move appears to be less about rejecting her home country and more about creating a life that aligns with her values, priorities and experiences. Her children, many of whom were adopted internationally, have grown up with a global outlook — one reinforced by travel, humanitarian engagement and exposure to diverse cultures. Leaving the United States may simply be an extension of that family identity.
In interviews, Jolie has often described her work with refugees and global crises as transformative, shaping her understanding of what “home” looks like and reinforcing her commitment to causes beyond national borders. Her book Notes from My Travels, for example, detailed her early experiences traveling in regions affected by conflict and displacement, and illustrates her deep connection to humanitarian work worldwide.
🎬 Balancing Stardom and Personal Values
Throughout her career, Jolie has juggled high‑profile acting roles with a reputation for intricate humanitarian advocacy. Whether starring in blockbuster films or engaging in global diplomacy, she has maintained a public identity that spans continents. Decades of working with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other international causes have reinforced her belief in shared human connection — a viewpoint that appears to influence her personal life decisions as much as her professional ones.
Her decision to consider leaving the U.S. also aligns with longstanding priorities she’s discussed publicly, including a desire for a calmer environment and a home base that supports her children’s privacy as they grow into adulthood.
📍 What This Means Going Forward
If Jolie does choose to move abroad later this year, it will mark a significant shift for one of Hollywood’s most recognisable stars. Rather than a retreat from public life, it may represent a deliberate choice to live in a way that reflects her global values and the kind of world she has spent much of her life advocating for.
Her story — blending art, activism and personal conviction — continues to capture attention as fans and cultural commentators alike watch how one of entertainment’s most influential figures balances fame with a broader human perspective.