At only 22 years old, Hollywood icon Angelina Jolie once contemplated a harrowing decision that would shock her fans worldwide. During a troubled period in her early career, Jolie explored the possibility of hiring a hitman to end her life, a revelation she shared in several interviews over the years, Daily Mail reported.
In her younger, more vulnerable years, Angelina Jolie faced mental health challenges so severe that she considered hiring a professional to aid her in a planned suicide.
Jolie initially spoke publicly about this dark chapter in her life in 2001, revealing the depths of her emotional struggle during her early twenties. Having risen rapidly in the acting world, she found herself grappling with profound inner turmoil. The idea of being murdered, rather than ending her life by suicide, stemmed from a belief that it would be less painful for her family and friends to accept.
The actress candidly admitted that finding a hitman in New York City at that time was disturbingly straightforward. "They're not that hard to find in New York," she disclosed in a 2003 interview with The Face magazine. This thought process led her to an actual encounter with a potential assassin.
The proposition to the hitman came with an unexpected twist. The hitman, showing an unexpected level of conscience, urged Jolie to rethink her decision, asking her to take two months to reconsider her drastic plan. This response prompted Jolie to reflect a bit.
During the two months, Jolie underwent intensive self-reflection, which ultimately led her away from her suicidal ideation.
By choosing life, she paved the way for future accolades and personal growth. In 2011, during an interview with 60 Minutes, she reflected: "I went through heavier, darker times and I survived them. I didn't die young, so I'm very lucky."
Her acting career continued to prosper, and at 25, Jolie won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in "Girl, Interrupted," a film that ironically dealt with themes of mental health and perceived madness.
Angelina Jolie's life took a significant turn toward stability with the onset of motherhood. "I was not a very stable youth. I never thought I could be anyone's mom," she shared in a reflective conversation with Time magazine. Yet, the decision to become a parent transformed her, nurturing her ability to love and commit to another human being entirely.
Her relationship with actor Brad Pitt deepened the transformation. The couple, who began dating publicly in 2005, shared six children, three of whom were adopted internationally.
This phase of life brought new roles and responsibilities that contributed greatly to her sense of personal stability.
The stability, however, was not to last undisturbed. In 2016, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt, a decision that heralded a long and public legal struggle that is still unresolved. Custody disputes and legal challenges filled the ensuing years, reflecting ongoing tension.
Their marital issues spilled over into the public eye, with insiders revealing to People: "Both of them were having issues with each other."
This struggle included their child Shiloh, who sought to legally change her surname around her 18th birthday, an act indicating a degree of personal distancing from her father.
Throughout these trials, Jolie has maintained a focus on her family and her humanitarian work, weaving through her life's narrative the threads of resilience and recovery. "I've had a very blessed life, but I've had my challenges," she told The Times in 2021, acknowledging her battle with PTSD, among other issues.
In conclusion, Angelina Jolie's journey from a troubled youth considering extreme measures to cope with mental health to a celebrated actress and devoted mother is a poignant tale of survival and transformation. Her openness about her dark past and the significant shifts her life has undergone serve as a testament to her strength and growth amid life's vicissitudes and the public's eye.
