At 85, Angelina Jolie’s Father Confirms The Rumors | HO
“At 85, Angelina Jolie’s Father Confirms the Rumors: A Look into Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie’s Complex Relationship”
In the world of Hollywood, few relationships have been as scrutinized as the one between actress Angelina Jolie and her father, actor Jon Voight. Voight, a prominent figure in the film industry since the 1960s, has often found himself at odds with his daughter. Jolie’s tumultuous relationship with her father dates back to childhood, a period marked by Voight’s absence and the subsequent emotional toll on Jolie.
Voight and Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, separated in 1976 when Angelina was less than a year old. Following the split, Bertrand paused her own acting aspirations to focus on raising Angelina and her brother, James Haven. Bertrand’s devotion became a formative influence for Jolie, and the bond between mother and daughter grew extraordinarily close. Bertrand’s role as a single mother left a deep impact on Jolie, shaping her own parenting style and influencing her values.
In her early years, Angelina showed an interest in acting, but she didn’t look to her father for inspiration. Instead, her passion was sparked by sharing films with her mother. Although Voight had a thriving career, their limited interactions left Angelina feeling isolated from him. She did, however, appear alongside Voight in the 1982 film Lookin’ to Get Out, marking one of her earliest on-screen experiences. But as she grew older, the distance between her and her father remained, and Jolie began to openly discuss the void she felt due to his absence.
Angelina’s teenage years were particularly difficult. Struggling with emotional turmoil, she turned to self-harm as a form of release, and she later opened up about these dark moments in interviews. She explained that the physical pain became a way to cope with the overwhelming emotions she couldn’t express. This difficult period in Jolie’s life also included insomnia, an eating disorder, and experimenting with drugs. At one point, she considered ending her life. These struggles, although painful, were eventually transformed into resilience and have become a testament to her strength and determination.
During her twenties, Jolie went through another period of intense self-discovery, one that included her relationship with model and actress Jenny Shimizu. While filming Foxfire in 1996, Jolie met Shimizu and later admitted that she fell for her instantly. The relationship lasted for several years, and in 1997, Jolie candidly shared that she might have married Shimizu if she hadn’t already been married. Jolie’s openness about her sexuality and her relationship with Shimizu challenged traditional expectations, making her one of the few Hollywood stars at the time to discuss same-sex relationships openly.
In 2000, Jolie’s bond with her brother James took center stage when the two shared a public kiss at the Golden Globe Awards, leading to widespread media speculation. Jolie clarified that it was a simple expression of sibling love, yet the incident underscored how her life was constantly examined under a public microscope. The media scrutiny, however, didn’t deter her. She continued to live boldly, setting her own standards for how she expressed love and loyalty to her family.
In 2002, Jolie took a significant step to distance herself from her father when she petitioned to legally remove “Voight” from her name. Although she had already been using “Angelina Jolie” professionally, this decision symbolized her desire to carve out an identity separate from her father. That same year, their relationship took a further hit when Voight publicly commented on Jolie’s mental health, claiming she was facing “serious mental problems.” Hurt by this public disclosure, Jolie and her family, including her mother and brother, cut off contact with Voight for over six years.
A turning point came in 2007 when Marcheline Bertrand passed away from ovarian cancer. Jolie, devastated by her mother’s death, found herself reconsidering the importance of family. Bertrand’s passing marked a pivotal moment in Jolie’s life, prompting her to reflect on her own health and future. As a preventive measure, Jolie would later undergo a double mastectomy and, subsequently, a surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. These decisions were influenced by her desire to protect her children from experiencing the loss she endured with her mother.
The loss of her mother also softened Jolie’s perspective toward her father. Reaching out to Voight, Jolie opened a new chapter in their relationship, one that was still cautious but rooted in a mutual understanding. Voight’s role as a grandfather to Jolie’s children became a bridge that helped heal some of their past wounds. However, Jolie made it clear that she established strict boundaries, avoiding discussions of past conflicts to focus on building a healthier relationship.
Despite this reconciliation, Jolie’s personal life continued to make headlines, especially with her high-profile divorce from actor Brad Pitt. Voight, who publicly expressed concern for his grandchildren during the divorce proceedings, urged both Jolie and Pitt to find peace for the children’s sake. At 85, Voight’s perspective has shifted from that of an absent father to a concerned grandfather, hoping to provide stability for his grandchildren.
Voight’s recent public remarks, along with his renewed presence in Jolie’s life, reflect his desire to leave behind a legacy of reconciliation. While the wounds of the past may not be entirely healed, both Jolie and Voight have found ways to coexist peacefully, focusing on their shared love for Jolie’s children. Voight’s statements suggest a sense of accountability and a recognition of the impact his absence had on his daughter.
As of today, Jolie continues to define her path, balancing her roles as an actress, humanitarian, and mother. She has built a life centered around resilience and compassion, qualities instilled in her by her mother. Meanwhile, Voight, at 85, appears content to support his daughter and grandchildren in whatever way he can, hoping that his late-in-life presence might provide Jolie and her family with some semblance of stability.
This journey from estrangement to reconciliation illustrates the complexities of family bonds, showing how even the most challenging relationships can evolve with time, understanding, and shared purpose.
