Angelina Jolie Reveals the One Thing She’ll Avoid in Retirement—And Why It Reflects Her Desire for a Simpler, More Private Life

Angelina Jolie has never been one to follow Hollywood’s script. The Oscar-winning actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian has built a career—and a legacy—on authenticity, resilience, and a deep devotion to causes far larger than herself. Now, as she reflects on her future, Jolie is candid about what she’ll leave behind in retirement: Hollywood itself.

In recent conversations with The Hollywood Reporter and Vogue, Jolie revealed her desire to step away from Los Angeles, a city she calls “unhealthy,” and build a quieter life centered on family, travel, and cultural immersion. For a woman who has long balanced global advocacy with artistic brilliance, this decision isn’t just about geography—it’s a reflection of her values and her refusal to conform to the industry’s expectations.

Choosing Authenticity Over Hollywood Illusions

For decades, Jolie has embodied a rare form of authenticity, whether portraying the rebellious Lisa Rowe in Girl, Interrupted (1999) or directing the harrowing First They Killed My Father (2017). Unlike many in her field, she has never hidden behind Hollywood glamour. Instead, she has been outspoken about the city’s shallow culture and the betrayals she has endured.

“When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety,” she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, noting that she found more humanity in her travels abroad than in the city where she was raised. By planning to retreat to Europe or other culturally rich locales, Jolie underscores her commitment to genuine connection and trust—values she says were often absent in her Hollywood experience.

Resilience in the Face of Turmoil

Jolie’s desire to stay away from Los Angeles also stems from the resilience forged through personal trials. She has navigated a turbulent childhood, the death of her mother Marcheline Bertrand in 2007, preventative cancer surgeries in 2013 and 2015, and a very public divorce and custody battle with Brad Pitt.

Despite the constant scrutiny, Jolie has raised six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne—with strength and devotion. She has said she plans to leave Los Angeles once her twins turn 18, reclaiming her freedom from the emotional toll of Hollywood’s microscope. “That humanity that I found across the world is not what I grew up with here,” she told Vogue, reflecting on her desire for a healthier environment. Her resilience, both personal and professional, offers a powerful lesson: peace is something one must sometimes fight to create.

A Humanitarian at Heart

Jolie’s humanitarian work has long eclipsed her celebrity. As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and later Special Envoy, she has visited more than 20 countries, advocating for refugees and survivors of conflict. Through initiatives like the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, she has consistently prioritized service over stardom.

Her 2025 tributes to Palestinian journalist Fatima Hassouna, where she wrote, “We know that many artists around the world lack the freedom & security to tell their stories,” demonstrate her ongoing commitment to amplifying silenced voices. In retirement, Jolie envisions a life where she can “soak up culture” and continue this advocacy, free from Hollywood’s insularity.

An Artist Beyond the Screen

Though best known for her screen presence—from Maleficent (2014) to Marvel’s Eternals (2021)—Jolie’s artistic versatility extends to directing and producing. Her recent projects, including Without Blood (2024) and the Tony Award–winning Broadway production of The Outsiders (2024), highlight her shift toward storytelling that matters.

In retirement, she says she plans to avoid Hollywood’s “rat race” and instead focus on more meaningful creative pursuits, whether in theater, grassroots initiatives, or cultural collaborations. Her evolution shows aspiring artists that true artistry lies in growth, not conformity.

Wisdom Earned Through Loss and Reflection

Perhaps most tellingly, Jolie’s decision to step away from Los Angeles reflects the introspective wisdom she has earned through hardship. She has openly admitted to having “few close friends” due to past betrayals, and she no longer feels the need to maintain ties to environments that drain her. By choosing privacy, authenticity, and cultural immersion, Jolie models a path of intentional living.

For fans, her story is more than a celebrity’s retirement plan—it’s an invitation to prioritize what truly matters: family, trust, purpose, and peace.

A Legacy of Truth and Purpose

Angelina Jolie’s decision to stay away from Hollywood in retirement is not a retreat but a continuation of her life’s mission: to live authentically, to serve others, and to create space for truth. With her children nearly grown and her humanitarian work ever expanding, she is stepping into a new chapter—one defined less by red carpets and more by real connections.

In doing so, Jolie reminds us that the truest legacy lies not in fame, but in the courage to choose a life of substance over spectacle.

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