Discloser: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at NO cost to you. Please read disclaimer for more.
British Vogue just dropped their March cover, and Angelina Jolie is giving us old Hollywood demure as she invites readers into her home. Seeing as how we’re on month eleven of the pandemic, it’s no surprise that we are getting a more intimate look at the actress and humanitarian’s home life.
That home life includes Jolie’s six children; Maddox, 19; Pax, 17; Zahara, 16; Shiloh, 14; Knox, 12; and Vivienne, 12. Each child is in completely different phases during this difficult time, as Jolie shares, “Pax going into his senior year, but not being able to enjoy all that it is to be a senior; Zahara finally getting her driving license, but she’s taking the test with the driver wrapped in the full outfit with the masks. It’s not how you imagine these moments. But birthdays go on, and I think that for many people, it’s made us all feel very human together. There’s something beautiful about that.”
The devoted mother has been clear about her children being the priority in her life. Photographed for British Vogue by Craig McDean, the children made their way into her cover shoot, but that is not surprising as they look out for their mother constantly. The actress opens up to Edward Enninful about a recent moment, “We were on the trampoline the other day, and the children said, “No, Mom, don’t do that. You’ll hurt yourself.” And I thought, “God, isn’t that funny?” There was a day I was an action star, and now the kids are telling me to get off the trampoline because I’ll hurt myself.”
The mother-of-six is candid about how she makes it all work. “Even though I wanted to have many children and be a mom, I always imagined it kind of like Jane Goodall, traveling in the middle of the jungle somewhere. I didn’t imagine it in that true, traditional sense. I feel like I’m lacking in all the skills to be a traditional stay-at-home mom. I’m managing through it because the children are quite resilient, and they’re helping me, but I’m not good at it at all.” Jolie continues, “Well, I love them. I feel like we’re such a team. It may sound clichéd, but you love and you try, and even if you burn the eggs, that doesn’t matter in the end. But also, you’ve met our kids. They’re pretty capable.”
And Jolie is ever-present with the various needs of all her children. When it comes to her adopted children, the actress values acceptance above all. “Aw, well I feel like it’s a big deal if they accept me, you know? I mean, that’s the thing for a lot of mothers, and for a lot of parents regardless. But I think even more so if you have adopted children. They have to choose you, too. It’s not the parents’ family and they’re in it. It’s our family.”
When asked about her own happiness, Jolie has a response many single moms could empathize with, “I don’t know. The past few years have been pretty hard. I’ve been focusing on healing our family. It’s slowly coming back, like the ice melting and the blood returning to my body.” However, the lessons her children have taught her will stay forever, “even at their young age they know that what matters is to feel safe and loved and stable. To not see those you love harmed. To know your own mind and truth and not to live a lie.”
If you’re looking for any tips on how to get your children to be more environmentally and socially conscious, look no further. “Well, I know this may sound strange, but don’t make it a duty for them to do good or have to give back. If we can help children feel that it’s not about duty or service or charity, but the joy of an interconnected life with people you respect, then it feels very different.” Straight from the humanitarian herself.
And if you’ve ever felt bad about carrying everything from your home in your purse, you aren’t alone. Apparently, Angelina is guilty of the ‘mom bag‘ too. Her essentials include her favorite Guerlain face oil and of course, chocolate.
The March issue of British Vogue is on newsstands February 5, 2021.