Billy Bob Thornton Reveals the Real Reason Behind His Divorce from Angelina Jolie

Actor and musician Billy Bob Thornton is opening up about his marriage to Angelina Jolie, sharing for the first time why their high-profile relationship came to an end despite what he describes as “one of the greatest times” of his life.

Reflecting on His Six Marriages

In a new interview with Rolling Stone, the Landman star, 70, reflected on his six marriages — including his three-year union with Jolie from 2000 to 2003. Thornton, who has been married to his sixth wife Connie Angland since 2014, said he’s finally found stability after decades of searching.

“I found the right spot to be,” Thornton shared. “The other times I got married were just like, you had a little too much to drink one night and somebody said, ‘We should get married.’ You go, ‘Yeah, okay.’ I always tell people, at least I was trying.”

Thornton and Angland have been together for over two decades and share a daughter, Bella, now 21. The actor also has three older children from previous relationships.

Why His Marriage to Jolie Ended

Thornton, who met Jolie while co-starring in Pushing Tin, said their split wasn’t fueled by conflict but by lifestyle differences.

“That was one of the greatest times of my life,” he said. “She and I are still very, very close friends. And that was the one that ended up being a really civilized breakup. We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different.”

The couple’s whirlwind romance made global headlines — from their 20-year age gap to the now-infamous vials of blood they wore around their necks. Thornton acknowledged that the intense public attention made the relationship difficult to navigate.

“When we met, I was the more famous one,” he recalled. “And then when we got together, for some reason, people and the media became obsessed with celebrity couples. It was weird. We couldn’t go anywhere.”

He added that the attention often turned innocent moments into headlines: “We’d say something offhand, and it would become a sound bite.”

Life After Angelina

Following their divorce in 2003, Jolie went on to marry Brad Pitt in 2014 after years together — though the two split in 2016. She also remains friendly with her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller, with whom she co-starred in Hackers (1995).

During a recent appearance at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Jolie said she was still on good terms with Miller.

“I just talked to him. I love that — I get to see my ex-husband with 2,000 people,” she joked, adding that they have sons of the same age and “a wonderful friendship.”

Meanwhile, Thornton continues to focus on his acting and music, recently starring in Paramount+’s Landman and working on new musical projects.

Despite the ups and downs of his past, the actor remains grateful for every chapter.

“Angelina and I had a great time together,” Thornton said. “We loved each other very much — and we still do, in our own way.”

What are your thoughts on Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie’s enduring friendship after their split? Join the discussion on InvestRecords.com.