Billy Bob Thornton has revealed that he and Angelina Jolie remain very close friends 22 years after their divorce, describing their time together as one of the greatest periods of his life and their split as a civilized parting due to lifestyle differences. In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the 70-year-old actor opened up about their three-year marriage, which began in 2000 and ended in 2003, emphasizing the enduring bond they share despite the media circus that surrounded them.
Thornton and Jolie met on the set of the 1999 film “Pushing Tin” and eloped in Las Vegas the following year, in a whirlwind romance that captured public attention. Thornton noted that when they first got together, he was the more famous one, but their union quickly made them a celebrity couple sensation. He recalled how the intense media scrutiny made it impossible for them to go anywhere without causing a stir, and their casual conversations were often twisted into headlines.
One of the most talked-about elements of their relationship was the exchange of vials containing each other’s blood, which Thornton clarified was a simple romantic gesture. He explained that Jolie bought lockets, and they each put a drop of blood in them, similar to wearing a locket with a photo. However, the media exaggerated this into stories about them being vampires, which Thornton found absurd and misrepresentative of their normal lives.
The actor attributed their divorce to differing lifestyles, stating that they simply grew apart. Jolie, in a 2004 Vogue interview, had similarly expressed that the divorce took her by surprise, as they changed separately due to their acting careers. Thornton stressed that there was no bitterness in their separation, and they have maintained a friendly relationship ever since, supporting each other from afar.
During their marriage, Jolie and Thornton adopted their son Maddox from Cambodia in 2002, but that same year, they filed for divorce, with Jolie receiving full custody. Thornton has spoken fondly of that time, and while he is not involved in Maddox’s life, he respects Jolie’s parenting. Maddox, now 24, has been raised primarily by Jolie, who went on to have more children with Brad Pitt.
Since the divorce, Thornton has married Connie Angland, and they have a daughter together. He gushed about his current marriage, saying they have been together for 23 years and married for 12, describing it as finding the right spot in his life. Jolie, on the other hand, married Pitt in 2014 after meeting on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” but they divorced in 2019 after a lengthy legal battle.
Thornton’s candid reflections offer insight into how high-profile relationships can evolve into lasting friendships, challenging the narrative of acrimonious splits often portrayed in the media. His account highlights the maturity and respect that can follow even the most publicized romances, serving as a reminder that celebrity lives, while amplified, are grounded in real human emotions and connections.
