Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce was finalised in December 2024, eight years after papers were initially filed. The former couple, who were together for twelve years, ended their marriage in 2016 but their lengthy legal battle included disputes over the custody arrangements related to their six children, as well as the ongoing lawsuits over their French winery, Chateau Miraval.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, Angelina explained that she only remained in Los Angeles due to the conditions of her custody agreement with Brad. As part of the arrangement, Angelina shared that although she sees LA as lacking 'humanity', she had to live close to her ex-husband while their children were minors. She told the publication: "I am here because I have to be here from a divorce, but as soon as they’re 18, I’ll be able to leave. When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety."

Now, almost all of the former couple's children are aged 18 or over. In recent years, Maddox, 24, opened up about his strained relationship with Brad, while both Zahara, 21, and Shiloh, 19 have reportedly dropped 'Pitt' from their surnames. Vivienne, 17, was also credited as 'Vivienne Jolie' when she co-produced a Broadway show with her mum last year, and along with her twin brother, Knox, will turn 18 years old in July. As the youngest of the Jolie-Pitt children, this signals that the 'end is in sight' for Angelina when it comes to relocating and leaving Los Angeles for good.

In a new report, a source claimed to Star magazine: "LA is a toxic environment for [Angelina]. But now the end is in sight, she’s excited and energised." According to the publication, the Maria actress is preemptively showing her $25 million Los Feliz mansion exclusively to pre-qualified buyers.

Last week, actor and producer Jae Benjamin also told Page Six that Angelina will split her time between New York, Europe and Cambodia going forward. He told the magazine: "She can’t get far enough away from the drama… the only way to take a break is to get out. She’ll go and decompress – only working on things that drive her heart, soul and passion. She’s a wonderful, talented and giving woman."

An additional source told Star magazine that if Angelina does leave LA, Brad will continue to 'go hard' on his ex-wife in their ongoing legal dispute over Chateau Miraval. The insider claimed: "He’s adamant that wherever Angie lands in the world, he’ll continue to go hard on her in the courts. She’s watching every dime these days. Colossal legal bills are a massive ongoing worry."

There’s a certain alchemy to Angelina Jolie’s style, a magnetic pull that fuses dark glamour with sultry confidence. And now, as a new coven of LA Goth Girls stalks the streets and Jenna Ortega’s Wednesday Addams returns to screens, it’s time to give credit where it’s due: Angelina Jolie—if not the original, then certainly the Nineties'most iconic macabre muse.

Like much of her legacy—as an UNHCR Special Envoy, she’s led over 60 field missions, advocated for refugees, and co-founded global foundations—Angelina Jolie’s influence on fashion is often underestimated.

That’s because her influence has never been loud or performative. She’s not a trend-chaser; she’s an iconoclast. In an era defined by grunge, her look was dark but not tortured, glamorous but never excessive. Her wardrobe has always been an exercise in restraint. Her ‘90s and early 2000s aesthetic offers a masterclass in making darkness alluring rather than daunting.

It’s no coincidence then that Jolie’s breakout role had a gothic undercurrent. In the 1999 cult classic Girl, Interrupted, she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her intense portrayal of Lisa Rowe, but it’s her character’s look and energy that still echo across Instagram carousels and designer mood-boards today. Throughout the late ‘90s, Jolie’s style, in turn, became an extension of that raw, magnetic energy.

By the late Nineties, Hollywood was in the midst of another reinvention. The glossy, ultra-feminine stars of the 80s were being replaced by a new wave of actresses and Angelina Jolie quickly became a poster child for this shift. Her look, too, became a defining aesthetic of a new generation’s darker fantasies as captured in films like Gregg Araki’s The Doom Generation, and the cult classic Thirteen.

Jolie’s androgynous edge—still a rarity in the not-so-distant 90s—paired with sleek silhouettes from Versace and Tom Ford, made her a symbol of both rebellion and sensuality. Like Hollywood femme fatales before, she embraced a cinematic noir aesthetic, often with a certain vampiric mystique, which not only became her signature look, subverted mainstream beauty ideals.

What set Jolie apart wasn’t just her love of black clothing; it was how she wore it. It’s easy today to forget how boundary-pushing it was for a major star to dabble with androgyny and a punk sensibility—two of Jolie’s defining features. Whether in custom Versace suits, tailored blazers, or graphic tees, she blurred the lines between masculine and feminine in a way that remains effortlessly cool.

Her makeup and hair were equally striking. Dark eyeliner, deep red lips, and mussed-up hair added to her air of rebellious glamour, while her high cheekbones and ethereal features amplified that gothic mystique—offering a kind of sensuality that didn’t rely on softness.

Today, as Goth Girl Summer emerges as one of the defining aesthetics of 2025, Jolie’s influence is impossible to ignore. The dark, minimalist glamour she pioneered is back, seen in everything from oversized leather coats to lace-up boots and blood-red lipstick.

Angelina Jolie didn’t just wear dark fashion; she made it empowering, laying the groundwork for today’s embrace of gothic chic as a statement of both confidence and individuality.

Angelina Jolie Through The Ages

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Angelina Jolie's daughter, whose legal name is Shiloh Jolie, has made some surprise new changes to her name as an artist. Last week, the 19-year-old made an appearance at an event for Isabel Marant and Net-A-Porter in her hometown of Los Angeles — and she wasn't just there as a spectator. In fact, in a press release seen by Page Six, she was actually listed as a choreographer for a special dance routine featured at the event. Instead of going by her full name, though, she was credited as "Shi Joli," which suggests that she has opted for another moniker change - the second in recent years.

It's unclear whether the young dancer intends to go by Shi publicly or if it's just a temporary stage name, but what we do know is that she's paid homage to her famous mum with this new iteration. That decision is in line with one the teenager made last year when she turned 18, as she officially removed her father Brad Pitt's last name from her own. At the time, she changed her name from Shiloh Jolie-Pitt to simply Shiloh Jolie.

After the news broke of Shiloh's name change in 2024, her lawyer Peter Levine said in a statement that she "made an independent and significant decision following painful events." She and her siblings, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Knox and Vivienne, reportedly have a fraught relationship with the Fight Club actor following his contentious divorce from Angelina in 2016 — a battle which lasted up until December 2024.

In 2023, Zahara introduced herself simply as "Zahara Marley Jolie" during a sorority event at her university, while Vivienne was listed only as "Vivienne Jolie" in a Playbill for the Broadway show she helped her mum produce.

As for Shiloh's passion for dance, her choreographer Keelan Carter has shared extensive praise for her skills. "Shiloh is an exceptionally talented dancer, demonstrating dedication and hard work," Keelan once told the Daily Mail. "She is a sincere and straightforward person who never uses her celebrity status to her advantage. Shi does not rely on her famous name to achieve her goals. Honestly, I didn't even know who she was at first and I don't think this matters, especially in a dance studio."

If there's one thing we know about Angelina Jolie, is that she will show up to support her six children when the occasion calls for it. The latest such occasion was an amazing milestone for her 20-year-old daughter Zahara Jolie, who made the keynote speech over the weekend during the Women In Training Inc. Mother-Daughter Brunch at a hotel in Montgomery, Alabama. Angelina's attendance at the event further explains her absence from the Oscars on Sunday.

On Saturday, 1 March, Zahara — a student at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia — spoke to the assembled crowd about the issue of period poverty. This, according to UN Women, refers to women and girls around the world who can't easily afford or access menstruation care products and safe water to help them manage their periods.

Ahead of the event, the president and CEO of Women In Training, Adeyela Bennett, spoke to WAKA 8 Action News about Zahara's participation: "We are truly honoured that Zahara Jolie-Pitt will speak at the Fourth Annual WIT Mother-Daughter Brunch about her passion to end period poverty, which is the mission of Women in Training," Adeyela said.

She added: "We are also excited that her mother, the internationally renowned movie star Angelina Jolie, will join us to support her daughter and to support our goal of ensuring that every girl and young woman has the products she needs to live her life to the fullest extent."

With her activism, Zahara is beautifully following in her famous mum's footsteps. Angelina is known for her dedication to serving the causes she cares about, including working closely with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) between 2001 and 2022. As part of that work, she carried out 60 field missions around the world and used her voice to help bring support to refugees. Angelina has also created a number of foundations over the course of her career.

The actress shares six children with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt: Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 16.

Angelina Jolie attended her first Oscars in 1986 when she was just 10 years old, accompanying her actor dad Jon Voight.

Since then, she's become one of Hollywood's biggest stars in her own right, so she's always one of the most anticipated arrivals on the red carpet — even though she hasn't attended the Academy Awards every year by any stretch.

So of course, when Angelina skipped the 2025 Oscars, her fans had questions.

Angelina wasn't directly nominated this year, in what has been considered a snub. Meanwhile, her film Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín, did receive one nomination for Best Achievement in Cinematography. Despite this, the actress chose to sit this one out.

Whilst we don't know exactly why Angelina didn't go to the Oscars this year, there were quite a few clues in an interview she gave to Backstage in February.

"I’m dipping in and out of it," she said of awards season. "I’ve always approached it that way. You just do a few [events], then you go home and don’t let it become too central in your life. Focus on the art. It’s very important not to take it all too seriously and let it consume your days or your work."

She also shared that, to her, art is "such an amazing way to learn about each other. What is it to be human? It’s the beauty of what we do. The worst is when things are about being divided or different or competitive, or it’s just not about the sharing. It really ruins such a special thing."

Angelina is famously shy and private whenever she can be, a trait which she has definitely passed on to the children she shares with Brad Pitt.

For example, the Maleficent actress once said about her children's relationship with fame: "They really don't like any of the celebrity part of it, especially Shiloh hates it."

Angelina is mum to Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 16.

Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh Jolie, 18, is just as talented as her super famous parents — but in a different discipline.

Whereas Shiloh was born to two Hollywood actors, the teenager has grown up to be a really amazing dancer. She has been practising for years now, and it really shows in her impressive moves.

Just this week, Shiloh was spotted looking delighted as she headed to a dance class at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles, as seen in pictures published by Hello!.

The teen's choreographer, Keelan Carter, confirmed exactly how skilled Shiloh is last year, speaking to the Daily Mail.

"Shiloh is an exceptionally talented dancer, demonstrating dedication and hard work," Keelan gushed.

He went on to explain that Shiloh relies on this work ethic rather than on the privileges she has from the simple fact of her family.

"She is a sincere and straightforward person who never uses her celebrity status to her advantage," Keelan continued.

"Shi does not rely on her famous name to achieve her goals. Honestly, I didn't even know who she was at first and I don't think this matters, especially in a dance studio.

"I understand that it can be difficult to see the person beyond her celebrity status, but I urge you to make an effort for her. Believe me, it is worth it."

It's unsurprising that Shiloh doesn't use her fame-by-proxy to her advantage in her dancing, because the teen famously prizes her privacy highly.

Mum Angelina once explained of her kids' relationship to her acting career: "They really don't like any of the celebrity part of it, especially Shiloh hates it."

Keelan has been known to share videos featuring Shiloh's dance moves on Instagram, and explained to the Mail that these posts "were made in the same way I post any dancer who comes to my sessions or classes and whom I believe deserves to be featured."

The professional dancer captioned one such clip, from May 2024: "Can’t wait to be back in the studio with these talented people ... In the last period of my life, LA feels like home and I’m glad that I had the opportunity to meet so many hardworking and wonderful people. I’m glad every time to have you next to me in the studio so thank you guys"

It has been an eventful few months for the Jolie clan: Angelina and Brad Pitt's divorce was finalised at last in December, after eight years of legal battles.

Over the past few years, several of the couple's children have been distancing themselves from their actor dad, with Vivienne, Shiloh, and Zahara all dropping "Pitt" from their name — whether in a legal or everyday capacity.

Angelina Jolie channelled parts of her own life to portray Maria Callas in new film Maria.

In a recent conversation with iMDb, the actress was asked if she could relate to the opera star's inability to perform in the latter part of her life, which led her to lead a reclusive existence.

"In some way — I went through a few years where I was unable to leave my home as much," Angelina explained.

"I needed to be more with my family. You had to turn off certain aspects of yourself to be other things you need to be, at times. So I was reminded of how much being a creative person and having the connection to other creatives fed so much of my life and how important it was, and how much I missed it."

Still, the star feels there's a key difference between her and the legendary opera singer: "But I think I've built a life very full separate from being an artist, and she wasn't able to," Angelina added. "So if it was all gone tomorrow and I was just a mom and I was just working in the field, I would be very happy."

Angelina is proud mum to six children: Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16.

She has slowed down her acting career over the last few years, instead choosing to prioritise her family before everything.

This period has proven difficult, as she first filed for divorce from her husband and the children's father Brad Pitt in 2016. After years of court battles, the divorce was finalised at last in December 2024.

At the time, a lawyer for Angelina told People: "More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family.

"This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over."

Maria is in cinemas now.

Angelina Jolie was just spotted out and about with her 16-year-old son Knox, who typically keeps a low profile.

Angelina is also mum to Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 18, and Knox's twin Vivienne.

The Daily Mail obtained a video of the mum and son duo shopping for supplies to help those affected by the disastrous wildfires that have hit Los Angeles this month, destroying many people's homes.

In the video, Angelina and Knox can be seen loading bottles of water and paper bags full of groceries into the boot of their car.

A paparazzo approaches them and asks the actress if she's concerned about the fires. "Yeah, we're having people at our house," the mum of six says, adding: "Right now I'm taking care of people close to me and having them at my house."

The Jolies' home in the Los Feliz area was luckily not affected by the rapidly spreading fires, which mainly hit the neighbourhoods of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, north Pasadena, Sylmar, and Ventura county, according to BBC News.

Many celebrities' homes have been destroyed or damaged by the wildfires, including that of Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, Anna Faris, Miles Teller, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Anthony Hopkins, Mandy Moore and dozens of others, as reported by People.

At time of writing, 25 people have been confirmed dead from the fires, reports BBC News.

Celebrities are also coming out en masse to help with relief efforts, by donating funds and supplies, as well as physically helping out.

According to Hello!, Jennifer Garner helped with distributing meals, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have visited LA residents affected and donated supplies and money, and Eva Longoria donated food, clothes and money. Other celebs who have made large cash donations to help with relief efforts include Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Paris Hilton.

Eight years on from their divorce filing, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are still locked in a bitter legal battle. In latest news, Brad has just secured a win over his ex-wife amid their court case concerning the French winery, Château Miraval, which they purchased in 2008.

On Friday, a Los Angeles judge threw out three "motions to dismiss" filed by Angelina, which had been submitted in response to Brad's official complaint from April that she had violated an agreement between them not to sell her stake in the winery. When Angelina sold her shares, Brad launched his legal case against her in 2022. In the papers Brad filed in April this year, his team asserted that the exes' companies Mongo Bongo and Nouvel had made a written agreement in 2013 that "precluded Mondo Bongo and Nouvel from selling their interests without the other's consent," according to People.

The judge's dismissal of Angelina's filings has since been interpreted as a win for Brad. A source close to him told People: "This is a clear victory for Brad which demonstrates the legitimacy of his claims and demonstrates yet again the other side's talk is not backed up with substance."

According to Hello!, Angelina sold the holding company that was in charge of her stake in Miraval to Stoli (a brand best known for its vodka, but which also deals in wine) in 2021, while Brad retains his half of the property. Per People, Angelina and Brad have also had an ongoing legal conflict over the custody of their children.

The actors - who divorced in 2016 - are parents to six children: Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 16. They have made headlines in recent months, as several of them have dropped their dad's last name in a deeply symbolic move, simply going by 'Jolie' rather than 'Jolie-Pitt.'

Angelina Jolie doesn't think hers and Brad Pitt's children will end up becoming actors.

At the premiere of Angelina's new film Maria in Los Angeles, she was asked whether she believes her kids have any interest in pursuing the same career path as their super famous parents, and she replied pretty unequivocally: "No, I think they're especially shy, very private people," she told E! News. "They want to be private."

The actress shares six children with her ex-husband Brad: Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and Vivienne and Knox, 16.

Though the children are unlikely to pursue careers in the public eye if their mum is to be believed, they often accompany her to public events to support her.

For example, Pax, Zahara and Maddox came with Angelina to the premiere of Maria at the New York Film Festival in late September.

Though she's not an actress, Angelina's daughter Vivienne is the one out of the six siblings who is most in the public eye: she notably served as her mum's producer's assistant on the Broadway play The Outsiders, meaning she made many theatre-related public appearances at the time.

Speaking to Deadline about Vivienne in June, Angelina said: "My daughter Viv loves theatre. She appreciates all theatre but she certainly knows what she feels close to and what she responds to. She went to see The Outsiders at La Jolla about five times and was telling me about it, and I had read the book, and I’d seen the film years ago."

She added that watching the play helped her better understand her daughter. "So, really, as a mother, as a person, I was watching it, but I was really watching the effect it was having on my young daughter and what she was telling me about herself, and I was learning what about it was important to her and why it connected so deeply to her," Angelina said.

The actress's children have made headlines recently because several of them have dropped "Pitt" from their last names: Shiloh filed to do that in June, Zahara appears not to be using her dad's name in everyday situations, and Vivienne was listed simply as Vivienne Jolie on a Playbill for The Outsiders.

Angelina Jolie clearly loves to share in her children's interests and joys, as she's proven once again in a new interview. While speaking to CR Fashion Book, the actress was asked about her most recent tattoo.

"I got 'Stay Gold' with my daughter Viv during our time with The Outsiders," Angelina explained. "It means so much to us separately and together. There is also a bird that I share with some of my children that is personal to us."

Angelina hired her daughter Vivienne, 16, as an assistant and co-producer on The Outsiders, a Broadway musical she produced and which premiered in the spring. Speaking of Vivienne's commitment to the job, Angelina told People in April: "She’ll say, 'Didn’t you read the memo? We have to do this. We have to go through this.' She’s been a really tough assistant. She takes it very, very seriously."

As for the bird tattoos, Angelina didn't go into detail about their meaning or which of her children share the sweet tattoo with her. That said, 'birds have been used as symbols of freedom, hope, spirit, transition, and new opportunities since time immemorial, in every culture, in every era' according to BirdBuddy Tales.

Angelina's children, including Vivienne, have made headlines over the last few months as several of them decided to drop "Pitt" — for their father Brad Pitt — from their surnames. Vivienne was credited as just Vivienne Jolie on the playbill for The Outsiders, while Zahara, 19, once said her name as just "Zahara Marley Jolie" during a university ceremony. Shiloh, 18, has also dropped the name Pitt.

Angelina and Brad also share children Pax, 20, Knox, 16, and Maddox, 23. The two actors were married between 2014 and 2019, though they first filed for divorce in 2016. According to People, the two have been locked in a long and complicated legal battle that's still not completely resolved to this day.

We’re barely a week into September and already our thoughts are turning towards more modest fashion, namely, Angelina Jolie’s cashmere sweater dress.

Once, the ultimate Goth It Girl (a crown Jenna Ortega is claiming), Angelina Jolie is now better known for her very wearable version of quiet luxury. The lashing of black leather (and vial of blood) has been replaced by a seemingly never-ending rotation of muted neutrals and designer handbags.

Stepping out at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado to promote her new film Maria, which sees Jolie play legendary soprano Maria Callas, the actress opted for an ultra-wearable sweater dress from Brunello Cucinelli. The Italian brand specialises in fine knitwear and this transitional style was no exception. Spun from a super cashmere blend, the swishy floor-grazing style was framed by a scoop neckline with ribbed trims and billowy sleeves that give the appearance of a shrug worn over a knitted dress (very Katie Holmes in that cashmere ‘bradigan’).

She teamed the one-piece wardrobe staple with buckled Viv' In The City Pumps by Roger Vivier pumps and oversized Jackie O shades—an ironic twist given that she’s playing the former First Lady’s arch nemesis in the upcoming biopic.

The look might have a combined price tag of over £5,000, but you can easily emulate the look for less with our editor’s picks below.

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Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's divorce is still ongoing, eight years after Angelina officially filed to end their marriage. The couple have not yet reached a settlement - with the sale of their French winery, Chateau Miraval, currently at the centre of a legal dispute - and earlier this year, Brad dropped his legal pursuit for joint custody of their children.

The couple share six children - Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, who turned 16 this month - but Angelina filed for divorce in 2016 after alleging that an altercation took place on a flight to Los Angeles, where she alleges that Brad physically assaulted her and two of their children. He has denied the allegations.

The Bullet Train actor's relationship with his children remains unclear. In 2019, Maddox spoke about Brad for the first time, and in recent months his siblings have officially dropped 'Pitt' from their surname. In May, their daughter Vivienne styled herself simply as 'Vivienne Jolie' in the listing for The Outsiders, a Broadway play she helped produce alongside mum Angelina. And she wasn't the only one to adjust her name, either. Just a week later, it was confirmed that Shiloh officially made a legal request to remove Pitt from her surname.

The teenager turned 18 on 27th May, and reportedly filed to change her name on the same day. It made headline news when the Los Angeles Times shared a legal notice, but Shiloh's lawyer Peter Levine shared a statement on her behalf, stating that she 'made an independent and significant decision following painful events' and that it wasn't intended as a public announcement.

He added that publishing the information was 'merely following legal process', as he told People: "Shiloh Jolie did not take out an 'ad' announcing any name change, and any press reporting that is inaccurate. As Shiloh's attorney, I am required to publish a legal notice because the law in California requires that of anyone who wants to change their name. That legal notice was published in the Los Angeles Times, as is required."

Brad and Angelina's daughter Zahara also appears to have unofficially changed her name, with reports that she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie when she started university last year.

Angelina Jolie's daughter Vivienne is the latest of her children with Brad Pitt to drop the 'Pitt' from her surname. Vivienne, 15, helped her mum produce the new Broadway play The Outsiders, and in the Playbill for the show she is listed simply as 'Vivienne Jolie', where she has been known until now as Vivienne Jolie-Pitt.

As reported by People, we don't know at this time whether Vivienne also changed her name legally. But the teenager isn't the only one of Angelina and Brad's six children to change her name to exclude the reference to their father. When their daughter Zahara, 19, went to university and joined a sorority at Spelman College last autumn, she introduced herself simply as 'Zahara Marley Jolie', as seen in a video shared by Essence on Instagram. Meanwhile, Shiloh, 18, has also referred to herself as simply Shiloh Jolie, as reported by Hello!.

Angelina and Brad also share children Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Knox, 15.

The celebrity couple divorced in 2016, with Brad suing his ex-wife in 2022 over a matter involving their French home. Angelina then filed a countersuit which referred to "Pitt’s physical and emotional abuse of her and their children," as reported by Variety.

It was previously reported that Angelina left Brad after he was allegedly violent towards one of their children on a plane back to L.A., and a new filing from Angelina's legal team reads: "While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well. Jolie then immediately left him."

A representative for the Fight Club actor stated in 2022: "Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but will not for things he didn’t do."

According to StyleCaster, Brad reportedly doesn't see Maddox, Pax and Zahara, but does still see Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne when he can.

Angelina Jolie rarely talks about her private life, despite having one of the most high-profile A-List splits in recent times. In a rare interview, the Tomb Raider star has opened up about the 'stress' she experienced in the lead up to her divorce from Brad Pitt, fellow actor and the father of her six children - Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien, Zahara Marley, Shiloh Nouvel, and twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.

The couple divorced in 2016 after an alleged argument on a plane, which reportedly involved their children. Neither party have ever opened up about the details of the incident. But it's clear that this was a painful period for the actress, who told WSJ. Magazine: "My body reacts very strongly to stress. My blood sugar goes up and down. I suddenly had Bell’s palsy six months before my divorce."

Bell's palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis, that is thought to be triggered by stress. Angelina went on to say how after the divorce, it took some time for herself and her children to 'heal'. 

"We had to heal," Angelina said regarding how she felt after the divorce, without disclosing any further details. "There are things we needed to heal from."

Since the divorce, the couple have been embroiled in a legal battle over custody of their six children, as well as their vineyard in the south of France, Chateau Miraval. The legal proceedings have proved hard for Angelina, who explained in the interview that her divorce has limited her freedom to "live and travel" as she wishes.

"It’s part of what happened after my divorce. I lost the ability to live and travel as freely. I will move when I can," she continued. "I grew up in quite a shallow place. Of all the places in the world, Hollywood is not a healthy place. So you seek authenticity."

Angelina went on to say that 'I wouldn’t be an actress today' explaining that in Los Angeles she 'doesn't really have a social life' and spends most of her time at home with her six children.

"They are the closest people to me and my life, and they’re my close friends. We’re seven very different people, which is our strength. I realised my closest friends are refugees. Maybe four out of six of the women that I am close to are from war and conflict."

Angelina Jolie is starring as Maria Callas in Maria, which is due to release in 2024.

Angelina Jolie visited an orphanage in Ukraine in secret, while the war tragically wages on.

In February Russian president Vladimir Putin unleashed a violent three-pronged attack on Ukraine, which has seen thousands killed, and even more displaces.

Sadly the war between Russia and Ukraine continues three months on.

In a bid to show her support, the 46-year-old actor journeyed to the orphanage, which is in an undisclosed located near to Lviv.

Angelina was keen to keep her visit under wraps, and reportedly requested for her team to sign deals forbidding them from revealing any details of her visit, as this was not a publicity act or visit.

The Eternals star is a UN envoy for refugees, but this visit was in "private capacity", a source told The Mail Online. 

It has been reported Angelina's appearance was a whistle-stop visit as she arrived n Lviv on Saturday, and was returning home the Sunday evening.

Angelina visited a children's hospital, and reportedly spoke to refugees at the train station who have fled their homes in search for safety.

During her travels to the sites of the war-torn country an air raid alarm sounded, and Angelina was ushered to safety. However, a source said she was unfazed by the alarm.

An onlooker recalled Angelina took photos with some volunteers, but insisted her visit "was not for press", claimed aid volunteer Rostyslav Hetman.

In a statement released, Angelina - who has Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne - said she was "humbled" by the strength of those living in Ukraine at this difficult time, though it is "devastating" to witness the crippling impact the war has had.

She said: "I’m humbled to witness the resilience and courage and dignity of the Ukrainian people. The impact the war is having on a generation of Ukrainian children is devastating to see."

The celebrities have spoken and their views are strong…

From Jennifer Aniston to Taylor Swift, celebrities these days are out to give us more than just sound bites – they’re writing opinion-strong essays that really pack a punch. From questioning the motives of the media, to challenging body ideals, these are the most powerful celebrity op-eds to read online this lunchtime…

Who: Lady Gaga Where: The Born This Way Foundation website Why: Lady Gaga recently revealed that she suffers with PTSD after being raped when she was 19. She described the challenges she faces on a daily basis because of the condition, and also encouraged others to open up about their own mental health struggles.

Best point: 'I am a strong and powerful woman who is aware of the love I have around me from my team, my family and friends, my doctors and from my incredible fans who I know will never give up on me. I will never give up on my dreams of art and music. I am continuing to learn how to transcend this because I know I can. If you relate to what I am sharing, please know that you can too.

'No one's invisible pain should go unnoticed.'

Who: Mila Kunis Where: Ashton Kutcher's A Plus, 2016 Why: Mila penned an op-ed against sexism in Hollywood, after an incident where she refused to pose half naked on the cover of a men's magazine to promote one of her films. As a result, the unnamed producer threatened her and told her she would 'never work in this town again.'

Best point: 'I was no longer willing to subject myself to a naïve compromise that I had previously been willing to. "I will never work in this town again?" I was livid, I felt objectified, and for the first time in my career I said "no." And guess what? The world didn't end. The film made a lot of money and I did work in this town again, and again, and again. What this producer may never realize is that he spoke aloud the exact fear every woman feels when confronted with gender bias in the workplace. I will work in this town again, but I will not work with you.'

Who: Renee Zellweger Where: Huffington Post, 2016 Why: Renee penned an essay about body image, addressing the tabloid speculation that she’d had plastic surgery and commenting on the damaging impact that the media’s obsession with body shaming is having on young women.

Best point: ‘Too skinny, too fat, showing age, better as a brunette, cellulite thighs, facelift scandal, going bald, fat belly or bump? It’s no secret a woman’s worth has historically been measured by her appearance. Although we have evolved to acknowledge the importance of female participation in determining the success of society, and take for granted that women are standard bearers in all realms of high profile position and influence, the double standard used to diminish our contributions remains, and is perpetuated by the negative conversation which enters our consciousness every day as snark entertainment.’

Who: Jennifer Aniston Where: Huffington Post, 2016 Why: Jennifer addressed the paparazzi, who took photos of her with a stomach fulla lunch on a beach, and labelled them pregnancy pics.

Best point: "For the record, I am not pregnant. What I am is fed up. I’m fed up with the sport-like scrutiny and body shaming that occurs daily under the guise of "journalism," the "First Amendment" and "celebrity news."'

Who: Angelina Jolie Where: The New York Times, 2013 and 2015 Why: In two separate op-eds, titled My Medical Choice and Diary Of A Surgery, Angelina chronicled her incredibly difficult, private choice to have a preventative double mastectomy. Her openness on the topic created headlines around the world and is credited with greatly raising awareness of breast cancer.

Best point: ‘I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.’

Who: Lena Dunham Where: Buzzfeed, 2014 Why: After sharing that she had been sexually assaulted as a teen in her book, Not That Kind Of Girl, Lena experienced somewhat of a backlash from critics who questioned why it had taken her so long to speak out. She took to Buzzfeed to set the record straight.

Best point: ‘Speaking out was never about exposing the man who assaulted me. Rather, it was about exposing my shame, letting it dry out in the sun. I did not wish to be contacted by him or to open a criminal investigation. I am in a loving and peaceful place in my life and I am not willing to sacrifice any more of it for this person I do not know, aside from one night I will never forget. That is my choice.’

Who: James Franco Where: The New York Times, 2014 Why: James wrote his op-ed, Why Actors Act Out, in support of fellow actor Shia LaBeouf who was rebelling against the media.

Best point: ‘Our rebellion against the hand that feeds us can instigate a frenzy of commentary that sets in motion a feedback loop: acting out, followed by negative publicity, followed by acting out in response to that publicity, followed by more publicity, and so on.’

Who: Taylor Swift Where: The Wall Street Journal, 2014 Why: Taylor spoke out about the illegal downloading phenomenon and predicted the future of the music industry.

Best point: 'Important, rare things are valuable. Valuable things should be paid for. It's my opinion that music should not be free, and my prediction is that individual artists and their labels will someday decide what an album's price point is. I hope they don't underestimate themselves or undervalue their art.'

When you think about the most glamorous A-Listers in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie is one of the first names that springs to mind...

When you think about the most glamorous A-Listers in Hollywood, Angelina Jolie is one of the first names that springs to mind.

Starting out way back in the 90s, Angelina has had quite the career that spans well over 20 years. Model, film star, film maker, humanitarian - she's pretty much done it all. Angelina Jolie had a number of notable roles during her film career, from the lead in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, to starring alongside now-husband Brad Pitt in Mr & Mrs Smith (aka the film that brought Brangelina into our lives).

As well as an impressive film career, she has a number of other impressive job titles under her belt. In 2001, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the UN Refugee Centre, and was promoted to Special Envoy in 2012, working tirelessly on global displacement issues. Earlier this year, she was appointed a visiting professor at LSE's Centre for Women, Peace and Security.

Of course, she and her husband Brad Pitt are one of Hollywood's most iconic couples, ever. Although they got married fairly recently in 2014, they were together for ten years before that and have six children. There's no doubt about it, Brad and Angelina are always giving us #relationshipgoals (although did you see who almost stopped Brangelina from happening?). Be sure to check out their most beautiful moments as one of the most loved-up celebrity items out there.

From red carpet looks to iconic film characters, as well as some throwback pictures from way back when, we've rounded up her best moments for all your hair and beauty inspiration needs.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here she is at the 20th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles last year, with luscious dark, curled locks that are giving us all the hair envy. It's fair to say she always looks this good: Scroll through to see Angelina Jolie's best looks of all time...

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

First up, here's Angelina way back in 1994, when she first started making a name for herself.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here she is at the Golden Globes in 1998, working that blue eyeshadow.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Angelina Jolie at the 1998 National Board of Review Awards in New York.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here's Angelina with bleached locks promoting her film The Bone Collector in Sydney, 1999.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here she is at the Academy Awards in 2000. Angelina's long, black, straight hair couldn't be much more different from the previous year, could it?

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Angelina at the Original Sin premiere after party in 2001.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Possibly her most iconic role to date, Angelina as Lara Croft in 2003.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Side fringe alert: Here she is at a press conference in Washington as part of her role as Goodwill Ambassador for the UN.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the Tomb Raider 2 premiere in Los Angeles, 2003.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here's Angelina with auburn hair at the Venice Film Festival, 2004.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the Shark Tale premiere in New York, 2004.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the Mr and Mrs Smith premiere in New York, 2005...

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

... And again in the actual film. Angelina's beauty look book wouldn't be complete without giving this one a mention.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Angelina at The Good Shepherd film premiere in New York, 2006. We love this classy up 'do.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

This half up look with loose curls is just perfect - Angelina at the Ocean's 13 premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, 2007.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the premiere of A Mighty Heart in New York, 2007.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Pregnancy style at its finest: Angelina worked shoulder length curls at the Kung Fu Panda premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, 2008.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Here she is with very loose curls at a press conference for Changeling, 2008.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, 2009, working a very chic up 'do.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

On the set of The Tourist, 2010.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the Inglourious Basterds premiere (in which husband Brad starred) at the Cannes Film Festival, 2009.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Working the slightest of waves at the photocall for Salt in Mexico, 2010.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

New fringe alert! Angelina at the Salt premiere in 2010.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

At the 2011 Golden Globes, we love this sleek and shiny look.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Working a lighter hair colour, here's Angelina at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in 2012.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

Ah, the classic red lip: Angelina at the Golden Globes in 2012.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

A tight up 'do that's giving us all of the cheekbone envy. Angelina at an event for Maleficent in London, 2014.

Angelina Jolie: Beauty evolution

And here she is in 2016, with a simple, straight style that frames her face perfectly.

Just what *should* one wear to meet the Queen? Let these celebrities advise...

Just what should one wear to meet the Queen? It’s a sartorial dilemma that many an A-lister has faced over the years, as they've collected their various medals and ribbons for services to the arts. Some go super-conservative, some treat it like a red carpet soiree, and some use it as the chance of a lifetime to try to make a, ahem, lasting impression on her majesty. We’re looking at you, Lady Gaga... 

Angelina Jolie 

Let’s start with one of the best, shall we? Angelina Jolie received an Honorary Damehood from the Queen back in October 2014 and looked pitch-perfect in her putty coloured Ralph and Russo couture suit. 

Marilyn Monroe 

When the queen of the silver screen met the actual queen, she vamped it up, as standard. Here they are together at the royal film premiere of Battle Of The River Plate in 1956. Just as important, we think, is that we love what Her Majesty wore to meet Marilyn. 

Jennifer Lopez 

At the Royal Variety Performance in 2001, JLo met QE2. She slicked her hair into a chignon do, wrapped up in a forest green halter dress and – wait – is that the Tiffany necklace that we all wore for best in the noughties? Nice work, Jennifer. 

Kate Winslet 

When Kate received her OBE At Buckingham Palace in November 2012, she made sure she looked the part. Her fit and flare skirt suit was made specially by Alexander McQueen – a solid choice from a British designer brand that was sure to impress Her Majesty. 

Lady Gaga 

Oh Gaga. Only you would have thought to don scarlet PVC and a slightly bondage eye mask to meet the royals, at the 2009 Royal Variety Performance. 

Ellie Goulding 

Ellie’s ensemble was, shall we say, slightly more sensible than Gaga’s as she meets the Queen at a reception to celebrate young people in the performing arts in May 2011. Her white shift dress and sparkly court shoes certainly seem to have put a smile on Her Majesty’s face. 

Benedict Cumberbatch 

Benedict Cumberbatch was given a CBE in November 2015 and put his best tails on for the occasion. His wife Sophie Hunter kept things simple in a Burberry lace dress. 

Miley Cyrus 

Before she became America’s wild child, Miley was totally up for events like the Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool. Here she is, all dressed up to meet Her Majesty. 

Halle Berry 

When the Queen attended the Die Another Day film premiere in 2002, Halle Berry was totally ready for the possibility of meeting Her Majesty, even remembering to wear her best opera gloves. 

Helen Mirren 

It must be pretty daunting to meet the Queen when you’ve impersonated her in film. But Helen Mirren (and her name tag) are totally holding their own at this reception for the dramatic arts in February 2014. 

Elizabeth Taylor 

The Elizabeths met back in 1976, during a state visit to America. Clearly, there was competition over who could rock the biggest jewels. 

Image: Reginald Davis/Rex Features. 

David and Victoria Beckham 

These two. Back in November 2003, the then-England captain David was accompanied by his then-WAG wife Victoria when he received his OBE. 

The look, we think you’ll agree, is a Beckham fashion moment of vintage standards.

See our favourite A-listers in their awkward teenage years because, well, why not?

Oh it's good to know that our favourite A-listers were once awkward teens just like the rest of us, isn't it?

That even the always elegant goddesses like Angelina Jolie and Beyonce had the odd fashion fail growing up? And that, no matter how big their glam squads may be these days, stars like Katy Perry and Blake Lively have all had their fair share of dodgy haircuts, just like you and I?

Yes from Sarah Jessica Parker to Miranda Kerr, we've scoured the Instagram throwbacks and delved into the red carpet archives to pull together the best pictures of our favourite celebs when they were teens. We're talking mullet cuts, 'vintage' fashion choices, 80s perms, the works. And that's all just on Brad Pitt.

Do you think Leonardo DiCaprio?s mum cut around a mixing bowl to get that mop? And who told Queen Bey that those tinted shades were on trend?

Chart how many of our favourite A-listers had braces before they got those Hollywood smiles, and make up your own mind whether they were born with their impeccable fashion sense, or whether a super stylist or two may have helped them along the way.

Click on to see what our favourite stars dressed like and looked like in their teenage years...

Leonardo DiCaprio As A Teenager

First up, it's the A-dorable Leonardo DiCaprio, curtains and all, at the tender age of 12. Now that's what we call a throwback.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Now, Leo is an Oscar-winning power player and the movie world's biggest party boy. Who'd have thought that sweet face would later become Hollywood's ultimate beardy bloke. 

Miranda Kerr As A Teenager

This is what Miranda Kerr looked like when she was 13. What happened to her awkward phase?! Clearly born to model, this throwback shot is from one of her first Australian campaigns in 1997. She's even selling us coloured tights as a trend.

Miranda Kerr

Now, Miranda is one of the world's best supermodels, a Victoria's Secret Angel and a front row fixture at fashion week, too.

Beyonce As A Teenager

Ohhh 19 year-old Beyonce. We definitely had a pair of rose tinted shades and wore our hair in bunches just like this.

Beyonce

Now, Bey is simply Queen of the world. She slay, ok? 

Blake Lively As A Teenager

You can so tell that Blake Lively was one of the 'popular girls' at school, can't you? The star started acting in her teens, and this shot was taken just after her debut show, The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants, took off in the US in 2005. 

Blake Lively

Now Blake's style is always on point. She's married to the equally hot Ryan Reynolds and the couple had their first daughter, James, in 2015.

Brad Pitt As A Teenager

Holy backcomb. That's Brad Pitt. As in Brad Pitt! Yup, this treasure of a throwback snap is Brad with his teenage sweetheart Sara Hart at their high school prom in Missouri. We wonder what she's doing now?

Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt

Brad went on to marry Angelina Jolie, one of the most glamorous actresses alive. Not bad for the mullet from Missouri, ay?

Diane Kruger As A Teenager

Oh Diane. Now that is a hairstyle worth throwing back to. Diane was voted 'Face Of The Year' in 1992. We're not 100% sure what that means, but we'll certainly help her cherish the memory.

Diane Kruger

Now Diane's style is slick and sophisticated, whether she's working it on the red carpet or just dressing up off-duty.  

Sarah Jessica Parker As A Teenager

Before SJP was Carrie Bradshaw, she was, well, just Sarah Jessica, an unknown actress auditioning for whatever parts she could get on the theatre circuit. Here's her first headshot.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Now Sarah Jessica Parker is a total glamazon, an award-winning actress and a style icon to thousands around the world. Not bad for the girl from Ohio.

Kristen Stewart As A Teenager

Just look at young K-Stew! Isn't she adorable? Here she is at her first premiere, for 2002's Panic Room.

Kristen Stewart

Now, the mysterious Kristen is a bonafide Hollywood star, Chanel IT-girl and all round fashion muse. Luckily, she's ditched the curtains, too.

Natalie Portman As A Teenager

Remember when you were, like, 12, and you used to match your handbag to your outfit? That's exactly the look Natalie Portman was rocking at her first red carpet appearance for Mars Attacks in 1996.

Natalie Portman

Now, Ms Portman is a vision on the red carpet scene, usually spotted wearing Dior Couture rather than the 'self-styled' ensembles of her youth. In other words, she grew up good.

Alexa Chung As A Teenager

Alexa posted this epic throwback snap on her Instagram, highlighting that even the most stylish among us have a not so fashionable past.

Alexa Chung

Now Alexa is the ultimate IT girl, an ambassador for the British Fashion Council and a design consultant for brands like AG Jeans and Marks And Spencer.

Ellie Goulding As A Teenager

That's Ellie Goulding!! Isn't she adorable, all gothic and skater-like with her jet hair and backwards baseball cap?

Ellie Goulding

Now EG is a red carpet swan like the rest of them, embracing her feminine side and taking tips from her glam squad. 

Lena Dunham As A Teenager

We can relate to Lena's Instagram throwback on so many levels. The hoop earrings, the pink velour, the awkward pose... The art of modelling is not one that comes easy to any of us.

Lena Dunham

Now Lena's got her pout and her fashion look nailed, doing the red carpet circuit around the world like a pro. 

Katy Perry As A Teenager

Katy Perry's family are cartoon cute, aren't they?! We love this portrait she posted on Instagram.

Katy Perry

Now KP oozes gorgeousness - whether she's on the red carpet or on stage.

Dakota Johnson As A Teenager

Dakota's mum is, of course, Melanie Giffith, which of course meant that she got dragged to all sorts of weird promo events as a kid. 

Dakota Johnson

Now Dakota is a superstar in her own right, queen of the 50 Shades franchise and cover star for all of the world's biggest fashion magazines.

Reese Witherspoon As A Teenager

'On the set of my second movie ever, Wildflower. Always playing a tomboy...' Reese wrote when she posted this throwback snap on Insta. We think she looks adorable.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese's face hasn't changed all that much - she's still the natural beauty she was in her teens and we love her for it.

Kendall And Kylie Jenner As Teenagers

In the not too distant past, Kendall and Kylie were tikes on the red carpet, sporting traintrack braces and stripy highlights like all good Millennials did.  

Kendall And Kylie Jenner

And now they've taken over the fashion and beauty industries as a supermodel and a makeup mogul respectively. All that and Kylie's still only 18...

2016 is the year of the badass lady...

It looks like Angelina Jolie is officially saying goodbye to Lara Croft, as it turns out Tomb Raider is getting a reboot. And, according to Star Wars' star Daisy Ridley, she is *officially* in talks to take on the lead role.

'I'm waiting for someone to say "I want you, let's do it"', admitting to reporters at the Jameson Empire Awards in March 2016 that she has been in 'conversations' for the iconic role.

Though Daisy is busy headlining the billion-dollar franchise that is Star Wars, the actress revealed she'd be happy to 'fill up' her calendar should she be offered Lara.

And despite not bagging the role yet, her Star Wars co-star John Boyega is already Team Daisy, saying at the Empire Awards, 'I played Tomb Raider the game, it’s a new take and I think the movies are going to be based on that version. But I texted Daisy and was like, "This is you!" and, "You need to get on that because you could be Lara Croft." She should be.'

We couldn't agree more.

A new version of the original 2001 film - and of course the sooo 90s video game- the new film is set to tell the story of young archaeology student Lara Croft, as she starts on her path to becoming a famed adventurer and all-around badass chick. So it's sort of a prequel, right?

Though no script has been written yet, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Snow White And The Hunstman writer Evan Daugherty is set to write, while Norwegian director Roar Uthang will helm the flick.

After rising actress Daisy's star turn in 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens, it's easy to see why she's number one on the studio's list. Considering she's taken on a whole galactic empire, fought a few lightsaber battles and helped the major film franchise pull in over $2 billion in the process, her CV is full of kick-ass achievements...

With Mary Poppins recently getting an update from the house of Disney (with a little help from Emily Blunt) it looks like reboots are the next big thing in Hollywood. But when that means we'll be seeing two blockbusters with great leading ladies, how could we say no?

While we wait, we may have to rewatch the first two films over and over again...

Which has us thinking, could Angelina be willing to return to the world of Croft? Imagine Angelina was on-hand to coach Daisy in what it means to have pure sass...

We can but dream...

Because, well, sometimes you don’t know, do you?

Angelina Jolie, actress, humanitarian and super-mum of six, has admitted that she didn’t always know she wanted to have children and couldn’t see herself as a mother when she was younger.

‘It's strange, I never wanted to have a baby,’ she told Cambodian news station CTV. ‘I never wanted to be pregnant. I never babysat. I never thought of myself as a mother.’

Angelina’s honesty actually highlights something that women can be afraid to say out loud – sometimes you just don’t know if and when you want to have a baby.

While some women know from a young age that they want to be mothers, others have other plans, careers, or just haven’t made up their minds yet - and it’s good to point out that that’s really ok.

There’s no one-size-fits-all way to plan a family, or not, and Angelina’s story and family structure attests to that.

It was, she says, her first trip to Cambodia in 2000, to shoot Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, that changed her mind and made her realise that motherhood could be for her after all.

'I realised there was so much about history that I had not been taught in school, and so much about life that I needed to understand, and I was very humbled by it,’ she said.

Angelina began working in the country with the United Nations a few months later, then, after meeting with school children, her mind was made up. ‘It was suddenly very clear to me that my son was in the country, somewhere,’ she says.

She adopted her eldest son, Maddox, in 2002, before meeting her future husband, Brad Pitt, in 2005 and going on to have five more children together, so it turns out motherhood was definitely for Angelina after all. But interesting to think how your mind can change - either way - isn’t it?

We've also charted 11 brutally honest celebrity quotes on Motherhood and pregnancy if you need some reassurance that Motherhood isn't all plain sailing...

Spoiler alert: it's not Brad Pitt. It's BETTER than Brad Pitt.

Honestly, we're not sure what sounds more amazing. The idea of Angelina Jolie being your best friend, the idea of Angelina Jolie being your mum, or Angelina Jolie being your colleague.

And just imagine (imagine) if she was all three.

Which is why we're pretty darn jealous of her 13-year-old son, Maddox, right now. Because Ange has roped him in to help direct her upcoming film, First They Killed My Father: A Daughter Of Cambodia Remembers - a true-life drama based on the memoirs of Cambodian author Loung Ung.

In case you're not totally up to date on your East Asian history, when Khmer Rouge took power in Cambodia in 1975, almost two million Cambodians died during the four-year reign of terror.

Loung was forced to leave her family home in Phnom Penh and was trained as a child soldier, while her siblings were sent to labour camps.

'I was deeply affected by Loung’s book,' explains Angelina, who adds that the film is going to be released in English and Khmer - the Cambodian national language. 'It deepened forever my understanding of how children experience war and are affected by the emotional memory of it. And it helped me draw closer still to the people of Cambodia, my son’s homeland. It is a dream come true to be able to adapt this book for the screen, and I’m honored to work alongside Loung and filmmaker Rithy Panh.'

'Films like this are hard to watch but important to see,' Angelina adds. 'They are also hard to get made. Netflix is making this possible, and I am looking forward to working with them and excited that the film will reach so many people.'

'Angelina and I met in 2001 in Cambodia, and immediately, I trusted [her] heart,' says Loung. 'Through the years, we have become close friends, and my admiration for Angelina as a woman, a mother, a filmmaker and a humanitarian has only grown. It is with great honor that I entrust my family’s story to Angelina to adapt into a film.'

Is this the most glamorous double date ever?!

Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed a very A-list double date on Friday.

After months of careful planning, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, 33, finally caught up with Brad Pitt, 51, and Angelina Jolie for a spot of tea in the capital.

It's the first time the foursome have come together as although Wills, Brad and Angelina all stopped by the BAFTAs in 2014, their paths did not cross.

News of the power couples' meeting came after US Weekly shared a statement a royal spokesperson is reported to have made to them.

'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Pitt at Kensington Palace on Friday afternoon. They discussed their shared interest in combatting the illegal wildlife trade.'

It's thought that the gathering took place at 3:45pm and lasted for quite a while.

'Everyone got on splendidly,' a source told the American publication. 'Brad and Angelina spent much longer with the Duke and Duchess than planned. They ended up staying for almost a few hours.'

To commemorate the birth of Wills, 33, and Kate's second child Charlotte in May, Brad and Angelina are said to have arrived with a gift.

We'd have loved to have been a fly on the wall...

The Hollywood icons touched down in London days earlier ahead of a lunch Angelina, 40, was asked to attend at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office.

Brad and Angelina's visit to Kensington Palace comes just a week after First Lady Michelle Obama was invited to the iconic royal residence to meet Prince Harry.

Barack Obama's wife, 51, discussed her campaign to keep young females around the globe in education with the handsome 30-year-old redhead.

Olivia, Angelina, Solange and Keira, we salute your bridal style...

Want a totally modern wedding dress (or jumpsuit, or three piece?) Essentially anything other than a classic meringue? Take inspiration from the sartorial decisions of these seriously cool brides...

Olivia Palermo – The Three Piece Olivia Palermo is a street style maverick, so we knew she’d pull something special out of her (supersize Hermes) bag for her wedding to Johannes Huebl in June 2014. Shunning tradition completely, she skipped the meringue and instead went for a slick Carolina Herrera three piece, made up of tailored shorts, a sheer organza skirt and a cashmere jumper. ‘I worked with Carolina’s team to put the idea together from different elements of her collections,’ Olivia told us exclusively. ‘I always like to have my own take on things - I love a pop of colour, even in bridal, so those Manolo [Blahnik] shoes were my something blue.’ 

Angelina Jolie – The Kiddy Designers Here’s a novel idea; why not let your six children under the age of 12 design your wedding dress? With a little help from Donatella Versace, that’s exactly what Angelina Jolie did when she married Brad Pitt in 2014. Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh and twins Vivienne and Knox scribbled up a storm in their playroom, before Donatella translated their messages into exquisite embroidery on Ange’s veil.

Solange Knowles – The Jumpsuit And Cape The jumpsuit, the cape, that incredible hair and make-up… Solange, we worship at the, um, altar of your wedding style game. Does it get any more modern than her two stunning ensembles? Even the star’s wedding portraits were shot in a kooky-cool way...

(See the gallery above for all the pictures of our modern wedding dresses)

Kim Kardashian – The Cool Cutouts When Kim married Kanye, she asked close friend and Givenchy creative director Riccardo Tisci to drape some lacy white fabric over those famous curves. And drape he did – a beautifully crafted gown cut with razor sharp precision. The slashed ‘n sheer waist panels, we think, make this all the more modern. ‘I’ll definitely pass down my Givenchy wedding dress to North,’ Kim exclusively told us. ‘Everything I keep for her is organised in storage. Maybe I’ll give her the key when she turns 18!’ 

Poppy Delevingne – The Maxi To Mini Transformer We love a fashion hybrid and the multi-tasking abilities of Poppy Delevingne’s wedding dress have earned it a place in our all-time wedding dress hall of fame. For church, said bespoke Chanel dress was a maxi. But come evening? Poppy whipped off its chiffon hem to leave behind a haute beaded mini. Well, what else did you expect from one of the world’s greatest fashion party girls?

Keira Knightley – The Queen Of Bridal Thrift A tulle Chanel tutu dress and rockstar mini jacket - sounds like a cool wedding outfit right? And then Keira reveals that the look was recycled, just something she already had in her wardrobe and decided to re-work on the day. 'I'd worn the dress lots, it was my something old,’ Keira told the Telegraph. ‘I liked not making a big deal about it. I just wanted to be in something I had had a great time in, something I would have a great time in again.' Has any bride ever made a more modern style statement?

Kate Moss - The Trend Setter For her wedding to Jamie Hince in 2011, almost two whole years before a certain 1920s-glam, Leonardo-tastic movie hit the big screen, Kate Moss wore a John Galliano flapper dress. And, just like that, Gatsby fashion mania was born. Long lines and decadent sequins were officially a thing, a trend not limited to bridal wear, but one that took over our entire wardrobes. Only Mossy could make a fashion impact like this on her big day...

Kate Bosworth - The Anti-Meringue Volume on a wedding dress doesn’t have to mean ruffles, Kate taught us at her wedding to Michael Polish in January 2014. Her Oscar de la Renta gown was almost architectural in its clean lines, cutting a super-modern bridal silhouette. 

(Picture: Martha Stuart Weddings)

Kate Middleton – The New Icon Oh come on, you didn’t think we could leave the Duchess out of our modern brides round up, did you? The dress itself has traditional aspects, yes, but the impact, interest and influence have made it one of the most important in modern history. Kate’s choice of designer, Alexander McQueen’s then-new creative director Sarah Burton, was perfect, giving a fresh lease of life to an iconic British fashion house in its time of need. Not to mention that it's now one of the most copied dresses ever...

Brangelina's new movie will be released in November.

It's been ten years since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt appeared together on the big screen, but that's all about to change with new movie, By The Sea.

Universal has released the first images of the real life husband-and-wife duo from the upcoming flick - and don't they just look like the most beautiful people you've ever seen - tears and everything.

Written, produced and directed by Angelina Jolie, this 1970s drama follows the troubled marriage between a writer, Roland (Pitt), and his wife, Vanessa (Jolie), as they arrive in a French seaside resort, hang out with fellow travelers and 'begin to come to terms with unresolved issues in their own lives.'

'This is a story about a relationship derailed by loss, the tenacity of love and the path to recovery and acceptance,' Jolie said in a statement.

'It has been a privilege to explore these universal human experiences with such a generous and talented cast and crew.'

'Angie and Brad have created an intimate gem of a film that will surprise people and delivers an experience they might not expect from them,' said Donna Langley, Chairman, Universal Pictures. 'Universal is honored to market and distribute it to audiences around the world.'

You'll be able to see Brangelina in By The Sea from November 13.

Used in articles

Powerful words from Angelina Jolie at her first public appearance since revealing she'd had her ovaries removed.

Angelina Jolie made her first public appearance since announcing she had undergone surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopians tubes at the 2015 Kids’ Choice Awards on Saturday.

Joined by her gorgeous children, Zahara Jolie-Pitt and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt - who clearly adore her... just look at the photos in the gallery above - the 39-year-old actress gave a truly inspirational acceptance speech after winning 'Favourite Villain' for her role in Maleficent.

She said: 'I want to say when I was little, like Maleficent, I was told that I was different - and I felt out of place, and too loud, too full of fire, never good at sitting still, never good at fitting in. And then one day I realized something, something I hope you all realize. Different is good.

'When someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up and be proud. And, as your villain, I would say: cause a little trouble

Angelina Jolie has written about her decision to have preventative surgery after cancer scare.

Angelina Jolie has had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed as a preventative measure following a cancer scare.

She's written about her decision to have the preventative surgery in a moving and inspirational op-ed in The New York Times because she wants other women at risk to be aware of their options.

This latest surgery comes two years after her mastectomy, which she also wrote about in The New York Times. Angelina carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which gives her an estimated 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer - the same disease that killed her mother.

She explains that her doctor advised her to undergo 'preventive surgery about a decade before the earliest onset of cancer in my female relatives.' Ange adds: 'My mother’s ovarian cancer was diagnosed when she was 49. I’m 39.'

Though Angelina knew she would have the surgery at some point, she thought she would have longer to prepare herself. 'I had been planning this for some time,' she writes. 'It is a less complex surgery than the mastectomy, but its effects are more severe. It puts a woman into forced menopause. So I was readying myself physically and emotionally, discussing options with doctors, researching alternative medicine, and mapping my hormones for estrogen or progesterone replacement. But I felt I still had months to make the date.

'Then two weeks ago I got a call from my doctor with blood-test results. “Your CA-125 is normal,” he said. I breathed a sigh of relief. That test measures the amount of the protein CA-125 in the blood, and is used to monitor ovarian cancer. I have it every year because of my family history.

'But that wasn’t all. He went on. “There are a number of inflammatory markers that are elevated, and taken together they could be a sign of early cancer.” I took a pause. “CA-125 has a 50 to 75 percent chance of missing ovarian cancer at early stages,” he said. He wanted me to see the surgeon immediately to check my ovaries.'

In the end the PET/CT scan was clear, but because there was still a chance it was early stage cancer she decided to take the option of removing her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

The mother-of-five also revealed that she had decided to keep her uterus, saying: 'I have a little clear patch that contains bio-identical estrogen. A progesterone IUD was inserted in my uterus. It will help me maintain a hormonal balance, but more important it will help prevent uterine cancer. I chose to keep my uterus because cancer in that location is not part of my family history.'

She finishes her letter, with these inspirational and comforting words:

'It is not possible to remove all risk, and the fact is I remain prone to cancer. I will look for natural ways to strengthen my immune system. I feel feminine, and grounded in the choices I am making for myself and my family. I know my children will never have to say, “Mom died of ovarian cancer.”

'Regardless of the hormone replacements I’m taking, I am now in menopause. I will not be able to have any more children, and I expect some physical changes. But I feel at ease with whatever will come, not because I am strong but because this is a part of life. It is nothing to be feared.

'I feel deeply for women for whom this moment comes very early in life, before they have had their children. Their situation is far harder than mine. I inquired and found out that there are options for women to remove their fallopian tubes but keep their ovaries, and so retain the ability to bear children and not go into menopause. I hope they can be aware of that.

'It is not easy to make these decisions. But it is possible to take control and tackle head-on any health issue. You can seek advice, learn about the options and make choices that are right for you. Knowledge is power.'

Angelina Jolie has been voted more admirable than Malala Yousafzai, Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama

A new poll by YouGov of 25,000 people in 23 countries has found Angelina Jolie to be the most admired woman in the world.

Ange had some tough competition - 17-year-old Malala Yousafzai, who survived being shot by the Taliban and won this year's Nobel Peace Prize came in second and Hilary Clinton only made third - but the actress, director, humanitarian and mother of six won the respect of more people around the world than any other person in the public eye.

Even our very own Queen Liz came in forth place (although here in the UK we voted her number one), closely followed by Michelle Obama at number five and, weirdly, Celine Dion at number six. Who saw that one coming?

Here's the worldwide list in full:

1. Angelina Jolie 2. Malala Yousafzai 3. Hillary Clinton 4. The Queen 5. Michelle Obama 6. Celine Dion 7. Oprah Winfrey 8. Julia Roberts 9. Aung San Suu Kyi 10. Angela Merkel

And the UK only list:

1. The Queen 2. Dame Judi Dench 3. Malala Yousafzai 4. Dame Helen Mirren 5. Duchess of Cambridge 6. Aung San Suu Kyi 7. Angelina Jolie 8. Angela Merkel 9. Hillary Clinton 10. Michelle Obama

The one thing these lists really highlight is the importance people place on celebrities over political figures. Although each nation produced a different set of results, Angelina Jolie got the most votes over all to be voted number one, over all world leaders, political leaders and royalty. And Celine Dion...

Do you think Angelina Jolie deserves to be voted the world's most admired woman? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter.

Angelina Jolie was in northern Iraq where she visited victims of ISIS who have been displaced in refugee camps.

Angelina Jolie was in northern Iraq this weekend, visiting the victims of ISIS and the Syrian war who have been displaced and now living in refugee camps.

The Unbroken director made the trip as the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, announced that it is facing a severe financial shortfall, having only received about half of the $337 million it needs to support displaced people within Iraq.

According to the UNHCR, over 7 million Syrians and around 3 million Iraqis remain internally displaced from the ongoing Syrian civil war and attacks by the extremist group ISIS. While 4 million Syrian refugees are trying to survive in neighboring Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq and Jordan.

During her visit to the Khanke Camp for Internally Displaced People, Angelina made a plea to the international community to pledge more money in order to prevent an even bigger catastrophe.

'Too many innocent people are paying the price of the conflict in Syria and spread of extremism,' she said in her speech. 'The international community has to step up and do more.

'It is not enough to defend our values at home. We have to defend them here, in the camps and in the informal settlements across the Middle East, and in the ruined towns of Iraq and Syria. We are being tested here, as an international community, and so far – for all the immense efforts and good intentions – we are failing.'

Clearly moved by what she had seen in the camp, she continued: 'I have met mothers whose children have been kidnapped by ISIL. As a parent, I couldn't imagine a greater horror. They are overwhelmed by thoughts of what is happening to their children. Nothing can prepare you for the horrific stories of these survivors of kidnap, abuse and exploitation and to see how they cannot all get the urgent help they need and deserve.'

Watch her full speech below...

See 50 best dressed stars of 2014, and their stand-out looks both on and off the red carpet…

best dressed

Suki Waterhouse on the red carpet at the Met Ball 2014

In a year which brought us big production catwalk shows, A-list weddings aplenty and made supermodels out of television stars, it s time to recognise the best dressed stars and their stand-out looksof 2014. From Keira Knightley s endlessly flawless wardrobe to Lupita Nyong o fearless approach to colour, 2014 was a year ofendless array of style inspiration. Click through the images above to see the 50 best-dressed stars of 2014, and their stand-out looks both on and off the red carpet

Suki Waterhouse on the red carpet at the Met Ball 2014

In a year which brought us big production catwalk shows, A-list weddings aplenty and made supermodels out of television stars, it s time to recognise the best dressed stars and their stand-out looksof 2014. From Keira Knightley s endlessly flawless wardrobe to Lupita Nyong o fearless approach to colour, 2014 was a year ofendless array of style inspiration. Click through the images above to see the 50 best-dressed stars of 2014, and their stand-out looks both on and off the red carpet

Emma Watson

Emma Watson seriously stepped upped her redcarpet game this year. Wowing in a range of catwalk pieces, she experimented with directional silhouettes and tried the key accessories of the season on forsize. But this Balenciaga look hasto be our favourite, with its all kinds of amazing choker.

Olivia Palermo

It was a difficult task to select just onestand-out look from Olivia s style file this year but this old dipped sweater and long pencil skirt combo is effortless eveningwear done to perfection.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence s relationship with Dior has afforded her regular mentions on best dressed lists this year. This Dior Couture dress with a dark berry lip and emerald drop earrings was both elegant and cool and totally appropriate for both the Golden Globes and this young star.

Beyonce

We re still talking about THIS heavily beaded Givenchy dress complete with birdcage headpiece. Sheer, dramatic and utterly sexy everything a MET Ball dress should be, and easily Beyonce s best look off-stage this year.

Kate Bosworth

Since getting married, Kate Bosworth s style evolved into something altogether more sleek and minimal, and this rather fabulous white column dress with unexpected cut-out detailing is easily her best of 2014.

Miranda Kerr

Now, Miranda is one of the world's best supermodels, a Victoria's Secret Angel and a front row fixture at fashion week, too.

Cameron Diaz

A skin-tight leather dress in front of the world s media? Thanks to Cameron Diaz s nude heels and undone hair, she pulls it off with ease. And it s one of our all-time favourite looks purely for the cover star of the Marie Claire January 2015 s fearless approach to red carpet style.

Victoria Beckham

It was a touch call between this look andthe ultra chic sweater and maxi skirt combo VB wore out in Manchester earlier this year, but we couldn t the unusually bold hue won us over. Matching heels and that glinting gold chain make it the perfect summer in the city look.

Sienna Miller

Balenciaga feather embellished dress +Harry Winston diamond necklace + messy bob = utter perfection from Sienna Miller.

Diane Kruger

As always, Diane Kruger s style has been continuously on-point this year. And not many stars could pull off this high-neck, heavily embroidered mini dress but Diane does with ease.

Alexa Chung

From the mid-length Emilia Wickstead dress at the British Fashion Awards to this oh-so-cool Marc Jacobs metallic mac, Alexa has continuously amazed this year.

Nicole Richie

2014 was the year of the cape. And also the year Nicole Richie took her style to new levels. From purple hair at the MET Ball to petrol blue at the Baby2Baby Gala, she opted for striking red carpet looks that were both sleek and dramatic.

Lupita Nyong'o

No red carpet round-up would be complete without a mention of Lupita s stellar and completely mesmerising red carpet wardrobe. From the romantic baby blue Prada gown at the Oscars to this spectacular flapper dress at the MET Ball, Lupita is by far one of the one the best dressed of 2014.

Kendall Jenner

A new entry in our best-dressed list is Kendall Jenner. Having carved out a name for herself with endless catwalk appearances, designer campaigns and magazine covers, she s the IT model of the year. And also a great dresser whose minimalist, NY-style look always emphasise her slender physique.

Emma Stone

Emma Stone continuously impressed while promoting Spider Man 2 earlier this year, but this bold and bright Thakoon two-piece is easily the most memorable.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina s surprise appearance at the BAFTA s was on the of the best red carpet moments of the year. Matching with Brad in an on-so-cool tux, she skewed her signature form-fitting dresses in favor of his n hers Saint Laurent tailoring.

Maggie Gyllenhall

2014 brought us The Honourable Woman and anenviably effortless wardrobe for it s lead character, Nessa Stein, played by Maggie Gyllenhall. Away from our screens, the actress continued to inspired in a range of drop-waist dresses, quirky tailoring and prints. We love.

Amal Clooney

Fighting off competition from Kimye and Solange, Amal and George Clooney won Wedding of 2014. But what really caught our attention was Amal s amazing wardrobe, most notably this utterly chic Stella McCartney jumpsuit

Blake Lively

Best dressed bump of the year? Quite possibly. Blake s crystal-embellished Gucci silk gown and glowing complexion was an instant hit in the MC office

Michelle Dockery

Erdem s botanical sheer dress was a perfect fit for Downton s Michelle Dockery. Tapping into the year s love-in with prim and proper high-neck and low hemlines, the sheer detail makes it one of our favourite looks of the year.

Reese Witherspoon

2014 was the year the A-list skewed dark winter hues in favourite of beautifully bright red carpet looks. And Reese s pink Balenciaga dress with chic back-combed pony is one of the best examples.

Amber Heard

Johnny Depp s fiancé didn t make many red carpet appearances this year but when she did, Amber always made sure it was flawless. Effortlessly cool and subtle sexy, this loose-fitting long-line dressby The Row is laid-back eveningwear to perfection.

Keira Knightley

The new Mum-to-be has offered up hit after red carpet hit this year. Championing the more covered-up look in long-sleeve dresses and over-sized silhouettes, Keira opted for quirky pieces from the likes of Simone Rocha to make her one of our most loved styles stars.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

No A-list wardrobe was complete without a monogrammed Burberry cape in 2014. And Rosie, in her on-trend knee-high boots,was the one who styled it out the best.

Poppy Delevingne

Mixing the luxe with the casual, Poppy s our go-to girl for high-low style inspo.

Felicity Jones

With a starring role in The Theory of Everything, Felicity Jones star is set to soar from her on in. And her wardrobe is already starting to reflect that. This magnificent Christian Dior Couture gown completely took her out of her style comfort zone but her ladylike swept-back hair and lilac metallic pumps gave it just enough edge. Love.

Karlie Kloss

So simple and so elegant, we wish we could look like this all the time. Karlie s 2014 wardrobe has seen her sport minimalist boyish tailoring by day and sexy silhouette-enhancing tactile gowns by night making her one of our unsung style heroes of the year.

Lily Collins

After wowing in a dip-dye Ellie Saab gown earlier in the year, Lilly Collins stepped up her wardrobe in this game-changing look. The actress wore a casual printed knit sweater with a tactile red and silver Chanel pencil skirt which provided an interesting contrast to the rest of her I m-just-popping-to-the-shop look.

Amy Adams

We love the way Amy opted for a Valentino Couture gown at the Golden Globe Awards dress to echoed her sexy-as-hell American Hustle wardrobe.

Duchess of Cambridge

In a year when the Duchess of Cambridge made the trophy coat her maternity wear of choice, and wowed the world with her style choices both in Australia and New York it was this bespoke Jenny Packham dress with stepped hem and suede ankle-tie courts which saw her breakaway from her tried and tested lace gown look and really won our vote.

Sofia Coppola

Sofia never fails to impress us with her understated and subtly chic wardrobe. This Valentino LBD with feather collar our case in point.

Alessandra Ambrosio

Renowned for showing off her Victoria s Secret bod to maximum effect in the shortest of show-stopping minis, Alessandra surprised us in this oh-so-cool covered-up look that would be just at home on the back of fashion editor at fashion week as it is on the red carpet.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

These over-sized black ensembles andantique chandelier earrings blew us away at the CFDA Fashion Awards back in June.

Emma Roberts

Tapping into the year s sixties trend and bringing a bright pop of colour to a red carpet event in December makes this one of our refreshing highlights of 2014.

Rooney Mara

2014 was Balenciaga s red carpet year. With Emma Watson and Julianne Moore among its list of devoted celeb clients, Rooney Mara continued the love-in with this fantastical two-piece get-up.

Jourdan Dunn

Never one to follow the style rules, Jourdan Dunn and face of Burberry SS15 always amazes in her daring red carpet looks. When not wearing revealing party dresses this year, she was wearing sports luxe menswear in the coolest of ways. We love.

Jennifer Lopez

Leaving her younger contemporaries trailing in her well-toned shadow,Jennifer Lopez was easily the best dressed of American Music Awards. Showing off her to-die-for abs in a blush pink Reem Acra dress, J-Lo stole the limelight from literally everyone else in attendance with her sleek swept-back hair and metallic smokey eye. Oh, and those abs- did we mention those abs?

Cate Blanchett

Cate Blanchett may be a red carpet veteran but that doesn t stop her from taking risks and wowing us with her bold style choices. This year she tried daring Givenchy catwalk looks, and contrasted it against this stunning Armani Prive gown at the Oscars.

Hailee Steinfeld

The young actress has continually wowed in bold designer looks. Rather than opt for safe Little Black Dresses and the traditional gown formula, Hailee has opted for bold prints, off-beat cuts and quirky accessories earning her our full admiration.

Suki Waterhouse

Suki made a fairytale entrance to this year s MET Ball. This bespoke nude tulle gown by Burberry made a welcome change to her retro infused signature style and offered the perfect amount of drama for fashion s big night.

Kate Moss

No round-up would be complete without Queen Kate. Selecting just one of her many wardrobe highlights was a difficult job but this one proved the winner to the way Kate styled her sparkling mini dress with Saint Laurent flats, chandelier earrings and barely-there make-up. So cool, so Kate.

Jennifer Aniston

Fail-safe it may be but Jennifer Aniston s flawless red carpet LBD s are always our go-to for cocktail hour.

Jenna Lyons

J Crew s creative director, Jenna Lyons, was the woman who made the Duchess of Cambridge look like she was ready to explode with excitement when the pair met at a reception held in New York. Lyons inimitable coolness was no doubt the reason.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth doesn t do red carpets very often but when she does, she turns to her best friend and mega designer Tom Ford to pull out all the stops. This bang-on-trend flared trouser suit is all kinds of amazing.

Cara Delevingne

No-one pulls off a sharp trouser suit quite like Cara. While 2014 saw the in-demand model experiment with gowns and sparkling mini dresses, it s her boy-meets-girl vibe which gets our vote everytime.

Jessica Alba

For perfect city style, we ve been looking to Jessica Alba throughout 2014. Timelessly elegant, she always pulls her looks together with on-trend accessories.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore + Balenciaga = a match made in fashion heaven. Julianne has also put many of her younger contemporaries inthe shade with this year s Hunger Games premiere looks.

Rihanna

From Balmain skirt suits to pearls with Puma trainers, Rihanna has been a constant source of inspiration with her one-of-a-kind style and attitude to match. This Tom Ford get-up exemplifies it all. Just wow.

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian doesn t always make a best-dressed list, but she sure does know how to wear a long-lone wool coat.

Solange Knowles Best Dressed

Forget Kimye, THIS was the wedding everyone was talking about- mainly for Solange s fabulous white caped gown. Amazing.

Marie Claire interviews photographer Mario Testino on his star subjects...

Iconic fashion photographer Mario Testino has worked with everyone from the Royal Family to Angelina Jolie. He’s the man who caused a sensation with his portraits of Princess Diana in the 90s and has produced a body of work which ranges from leading campaigns and worldwide magazine covers to the official engagement portraits of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and a tombstone coffee table book dedicated to one of his long-term muses, Kate Moss.

Now the Peruvian snapper has teamed up with CÎROC Vodka where he’s taken on the role of Creative Director, finding and photographing today’s new star talent. Carefully handpicking newcomers from across the globe, Testino will be documenting their celebratory moments of arrival.

But what exactly does Mario Testino look for in a subject? And what is it like to work with such iconic stars? We chatted to the legendary photographer about his career highlights, inspirations, and most importantly, his star subjects…

What do you think star quality is, and what do you look for in a subject?

You just know when someone has it, when someone walks into a room and it’s like the lights go on. I tend to look for something that can’t be measured, like an energy or spirit you just feel when someone walks in to a room. It’s a star quality and it's true. Something that just radiates from the inside out. Who has been your favourite star to photograph?

Every shoot and person, for me, has its own special memory. Every circumstance is different too. I've been fortunate to meet and photograph many different types of people too, whether royalty, actors, artists, models or the passerby on the street. 

What has been your most memorable shoot to date?

It’s very difficult to say as they are all so unique and so memorable in their own way. If I think of some, I would have to say when I first photographed Madonna for Versace in the 1990s. That was a real moment for me because when the campaign came out they printed a page just saying “Versace presents Madonna by Testino”.

It’s very rare people get recognized by just their last name, so that was very memorable – like the first time I was part of the group of photographers that are known by just their surname: Avedon, Newton, Penn...

Photographing Princess Diana too, of course was very memorable and special. Any shoot with Kate Moss and Gisele is always memorable too. If you could choose one person to photograph - past or present – who would it be?

I'm always on the look-out for the person I don't yet know, the person I am yet to photograph. I like the discovery of someone new. It's one of the most exciting aspects of my job as a photographer.

You’ve worked with everyone from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Angelina Jolie, do you find it’s different working with Royal subjects compared to actors?

Yes. There is so much history and tradition surrounding royal families I have worked with. It’s quite amazing to be around and experience that. As much as I love the new and the modern I love tradition too, so I have been so fortunate to be around that. You have to respect that.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find a lot of inspiration from Contemporary Art. I travel a lot and I try to make as much time as I can to go to museums and galleries. I find the freedom fine artists have really inspiring.

Travel, too, opens my eyes to lots of inspiration. When I was first beginning as a photographer I was working in London but I soon realised that a lot of the work was in Paris or New York or LA, so I decided I would travel to where the work was, and ever since that seems to be my life.

What is a typical shoot day like? 

No two days are the same, that is the beauty of my job. I photograph many different people every day and everyone is completely different. Same too with the place and circumstance. This is what I love and what keeps me doing this after more than 35 years!

Actor Sam Claflin stars in the first ‘CÎROC On Arrival’ campaign, why was he chosen?

With this campaign we are looking to celebrate the latest talents breaking out in their profession. Sam is definitely part of this, a young British actor really making great strides in his career. He's part of this really exciting generation of young actors, there is an energy about him that is right.

How did you collaborate with Sam on the project and concept?

Sam was great to work with. We have worked together before so that always helps. We ran through the concept and he was very open to the process. It can be difficult sometimes for actors who might be used to shooting film to then go and shoot for still pictures – it’s a very different thing, though you may not think it. Sam, however, is a pro and can take on any challenge, which is why it worked so well.

Which other rising talents are on your radar?

You will have to wait and see… We are looking to find people on the cusp of something big, people that really stand out but are not, yet, necessarily famous. I don’t think that is really a pre-requisite for this ‘CÎROC On Arrival’ campaign, but they have to be that person that walks into a room and you just feel their presence.

CÎROC® Ultra-Premium

Vodka has partnered with Mario Testino as the Creative Director and

photographer of its international campaign, ‘CÎROC® On Arrival’, which

celebrates the latest talent to have made it.

Marie Claire speaks exclusively to the British couture label dressing Hollywood's A-list...

Angelina Jolie wore Ralph & Russo to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace, Beyonce commissioned their skills for the Mrs Carter world tour, and Cheryl Cole wowed in one of their designs at her wedding. So who exactly are Ralph & Russo?

Well, the London-based label was founded in 2007 by two Australians and specialises in eveningwear, and they’re also the only British couture label to have been invited to show in Paris. Oh, and they’re A-list fanbase is increasing by the day.

So when Angelina Jolie stepped out in an undeniably chic cape and pencil dress by the design duo earlier this week, we dropped them a line to find out what they make of all this A-list praise.

Chatting exclusively to Creative Director Tamara Ralph we asked her about dressing Angelina for the recent Unbroken premiere: ‘We always love working with Angelina. Over the past few years we’ve worked with her on several looks and the pleasure of working with such a warm-hearted and genuinely inspiring woman only increases. When she steps onto the red carpet in a Ralph & Russo piece, the reaction is phenomenal and the Unbroken was no different – she looked breathtaking!’

Jolie was also snapped wearing a structured peplum Ralph & Russo dress to Brad Pitt’s World War Z première last year, but the real seal of approval came when Angelina chose the label for her appointment with the Queen, where she collected the Insignia of Honorary Dame Grand Cross.

Something Tamara is clearly very proud of: ‘Last month, Angelina was awarded an honorary Damehood by the Queen and to work closely with her on such a significant moment meant a great deal to us both and will remain a personal highlight’.

But the Ralph & Russo love-in doesn’t stop there. Suki Waterhouse, Kim Kardashian and Arizona Muse have all worn their designs on the red carpet AND Beyonce commissioned the couturiers for her Mrs Carter world tour. Praise indeed.

Tamara had this to say about the celeb-endorsement: ‘Designing for strong and empowering women is such an honour. Angelina and Beyoncé both hold a great deal of respect and autonomy in their respective fields and ultimately personify the brand.’

So, it’s fair to say we’ll be seeing lots more of this humble yet powerful brand…

Used in articles

The British label dressing the Hollywood A-listers...

Ralph & Russo - the only British house deemed skilled enough to win a place at the Paris Couture shows – is now a certified favourite of Angelina Jolie.

Wearing a Spring 2014 Couture pencil dress by the label with a chic cropped cape and exquisite button-up back, Angelina wowed the crowds as she attended the Unbroken première in London last night.

The actress, who got behind the camera for her latest film, was joined by cast members including Jack O’Connell, Angelina also posed with Chelsea pensioners and members of the armed forces.

Having worn the label just last month to collect the Insignia of Honorary Dame Grand Cross from the Queen, Angelina is clearly as fan of the couturiers. She also wore a chic peplum number to Brad Pitt’s World War Z premiere last year – high praise indeed.

Ralph & Russo was founded in 2007 by two Australians, Tamara Ralph, a designer, and Michael Russo, the company's CEO. Specialising in handmade evening wear, the London-based house was last year invited to join the highest club in fashion, Paris's Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, alongside Dior, Chanel and Valentino. 

But the love-in hasn't stopped there. The label was commissioned by Beyonce to create looks for her Mrs Carter world tour.

And after the Duchess of Cambridge reportedly commissioned the designers for a dress of her own – can we expect to see the couturiers names to pop up again when Kate and Wills tour America? 

Have a click through the gallery above for a 360-degree look at Angelina's premiere dress.

Used in articles

Angelina Jolie talks strong women, war crimes and the White House...

The prospect of being America’s first female president surely isn’t that unrealistic for Dame Angelina Jolie, but the actress and philanthropist has denied that her sights are set on the White House.

‘I don’t think my family would agree,’ she said in a new interview for Marie Claire France. ‘And I don’t know how I could be more useful than now because my position as a public figure helps so much in generating media attention for my fight.’

The UN Special Envoy, who was promoted from her role as Goodwill Ambassador in 2012, acknowledged, however, that while she helped William Hague to draw a huge amount of media attention to the Summit To End Sexual Violence in London earlier this year, the event could have still been successful without her backing.

‘I do not know if it's because of me. There had already been a promise to take stronger action against wartime rape at the last G8 summit. Many countries have made it one of their priority commitments. We must work together - legislators, politicians, doctors, investigators - to enable immediate prosecution against those guilty of war crimes.’

Throughout the interview, Angelina speaks of strong and empowering women and gave an interesting insight into her own mother’s character, Marcheline Bertrand, who died after a long battle with ovarian cancer in 2007.

‘She was very soft but could move mountains for her kids. That's something I always admire in women: that mix of softness and strength.’

‘She always tried to understand the complexity of the world and had a great heart, which was sensitive to the world's violence.’

‘I feel in contact with my mother when I look at my children. I can feel her influence over me then. I see that my way of raising them resembles the way she raised my brother and I.’

‘It's more apparent with my daughters Shiloh and Vivienne. Therefore, yes, my mother is there, present in this influence, all the time.’

Referrals for genetic testing for breast cancer risk more than doubled across the UK thanks to Ange.

Angelina Jolie’s announcement about her double mastectomy led to a doubling in NHS referrals for genetic tests for breast cancer risk, a new study has found. They're calling it 'The Angelina Jolie effect'.

The actress revealed in May last year that she had tested positive for a BRCA1 gene mutation and that she'd made the decision to have a double mastectomy.

At the time, Angelina said: 'My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman.'

Research funded by the Breast Cancer Campaign found that, on learning of Ange's mastectomy, many more women went to their GPs with concerns. Most importantly, these women, rather than booking the appointment as a knee-jerk reaction to Ange's news, tended to have a family history of breast cancer.

Gareth Evans, professor of clinical genetics at Genesis Breast Cancer Prevention, says: 'Although there was concern that the increase in attendance following Ms Jolie’s announcement might have been from the "worried well" coming back for an early repeat screen, our research found that the opposite was true. A higher proportion was from women who were late for their test, rather than those who were coming back early.'

Women who have the BRCA1 gene mutation have between 45 per cent and 90 per cent risk of developing breast cancer, something Angelina was keen for other women to know.

In her article for the New York Times, she wrote: ‘I choose not to keep my story private because there are many women who do not know that they might be living under the shadow of cancer. It is my hope that they, too, will be able to get gene tested, and that if they have a high risk they, too, will know that they have strong options.’

About her double mastectomy, she added: ‘On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.’

Gareth Evans explained that the Hollywood star's image as a strong women, along with her reassurances about sexual identity post-surgery inspired others to get tested.

'Angelina Jolie stating she has a BRCA1 mutation and going on to have a risk-reducing mastectomy is likely to have had a bigger impact than other celebrity announcements, possibly due to her image as a glamorous and strong woman.'

He added: 'This may have lessened patients’ fears about a loss of sexual identity post-preventative surgery and encouraged those who had not previously engaged with health services to consider genetic testing.'

The first photos of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's wedding have been released...

It’s the wedding dress we never thought we’d actually see. The usually private Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have sold images from their big day to two of the world’s key tabloid mags (no doubt donating those megabuck fees straight to charidee) and Ange’s dress is SO not what we had expected.

The couple’s six children were always going to play a huge part in the nuptials, but no one could have predicted that Ange would let them actually design her dress.

Yes, you read right, Maddox (13), Pax (10), Zahara (9), Shiloh (8) and twins Vivienne, and Knox (6), clearly doodled up a storm in their playroom before Donatella Versace translated their pictures into a chic embroidered mural on the star’s veil. Considering that most parents would just stick them on the fridge, we see this as a pretty huge compliment to the kids' creative talents.

(See all the images in the above gallery)

The gown itself is a simple satin strapless number, hand-made by Atelier Versace.

‘Versace is honored to announce that on August 23rd 2014 Angelina Jolie chose to wear a stunning Atelier Versace creation designed by Donatella Versace in occasion of her marriage to Brad Pitt,’ a statement from the brand reads.

‘For the special occasion Donatella Versace envisioned for Angelina Jolie a one of a kind custom-made Atelier Versace look: she was perfect in a white silk-satin Atelier Versace gown gathered at the bust with elongated train, detailed with the embroidered drawings of her children that got reproduced also on the silk veil. She accessorised her stunning creation wearing a pair of white Versace silk satin pumps.’

Other details revealed in the new images include shots of the couple’s first kiss as man and wife and the fact that the children took on key roles - Maddox and Pax walked their mum down the aisle, Zahara and Vivienne were flower girls, and Shiloh and Knox turned ring bearers.

Angelina had previously hinted to People that her children would play an integral part in her wedding.

‘We are discussing it with the children and how they imagine it might be, which is verging on hysterical, how kids envision a wedding,’ she said back in May. ‘They will, in a way, be the wedding planners. It's going to be Disney or paintball – one or the other!’

Well, now we know.

He's finally put a ring on it.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are married, it's been confirmed.

A spokesperson for the couple has confirmed to The Associated Press that they tied the knot in France on Saturday.

We don't know much but we do know the pair got hitched in a small chapel at their 1,000-acre property, Chateau Miraval, in Correns in front of friends and family.

And, that the couple's children took part in the wedding with Angelina being walked down the aisle by her eldest sons Maddox and Pax. Zahara and Vivienne threw petals, while Shiloh and Knox were ring bearers. Lovely!

The Hollywood superstars have been dating for nearly a decade after meeting on the set of Mr and Mrs Smith in 2005. They have six children together, Maddox, 13, Pax, 10, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 8, and five-year-old twins, Knox and Vivienne.

Speaking about his plans to marry Ange, Brad said to The Associated Press back in 2012: 'It's an exciting prospect, even though for us, we've gone further than that. But to concretize it in that way, it actually means more to me than I thought it would. It means a lot to our kids.'

As the wedding news broke, Brad was attending a press junket for new film, Fury, at the Bovingdon Tank Museum in Dorset.

Congrats, Brangelina.

Pre-order the special Christian Louboutins now.

You probably noticed the incredible shoes Angelina Jolie wore throughout her promotional tour for Maleficent; they were designed by Christian Louboutin in collaboration with Jolie, inspired by the Mistress of All Evil herself, Maleficent, and they were spectacular. Well, now they can be yours.

The footwear maestro has announced that the Malangeli shoes are being made available to us normal folks on a made-to-order basis. Hurrah.

Of course, shoes this fabulous come with a hefty price tag - they'll retail at £950 - but all profits from the sales will go to SOS Children's Villages, the world's largest organisation dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children.

Pre-order your pair by calling Christian Louboutin's Mount Street store on 020 7491 0033.

Evil never looked so good...

As Angelina and Brad announce two new films together, we ask whether working with your other half (or indeed your entire family) is ever a good idea?

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have announced that they will be working together on not one, but two new movies in the next year. So today we’re asking; Is working with your other half (and in this case your six children under the age of twelve) ever a good idea? 

Yes, nine years on since Mr and Mrs Smith, our ultimate woman-itarian (we have no idea how she’s fitting all of this in) has released details on By The Sea, a ‘raw and open’ ‘experimental romance’ that she will write and direct, as well as star in alongside Brad – which kind of makes her his boss, right? 

On top of this, she’s confirmed that Brad and all six of their children will be appearing with her in Cleopatra for what is surely the biggest family affair since the Kardashians took over TV. 

“We think it’s fun for our kids to have cameos and join us on set, but not to be actors. That’s not our goal for Brad and I at all,” Angelina previously explained of her work-family ethos. 

Whether or not ‘celebrity’ children should be in the limelight is, of course, a whole other debate, but this morning we want to know, do you work with your partner or children, how does it work for you and is it successful, or stressful?

Being a ‘24/7 couple’, no doubt, has so many benefits. You get to see each other far more than most other couples, when the business profits, the whole family benefits from the success and if, as in Brad and Ange’s case, the kids come along too, you even get to have total say on how your family is raised. As the ‘difficult’ life of a megastar actor usually entails hauling around the world to remote set locations for months at a time, it certainly makes a lot of sense that the family would want to stick together.

Bringing work problems home and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, are, however, the obvious drawbacks of the situation. Although some people argue that it’s a false distinction to try and separate at-work and at-home life anyway (because even if you don’t work together it’s likely you tell your partner everything that happened in the office) it certainly could be more difficult to switch off together and talk about anything other than your business. 

So maybe it’s all about setting ground rules. 

Define your roles properly. Who is in charge of what responsibilities -both domestic and business? Everything from the books to the bin bags can be accounted for. And if you have decided that one of you will be directing (literally in Angelina and Brad’s case) the other’s work moves, this relationship needs to be outlined separately from your personal one. 

Be honest with each other. You know that one person in the office that doesn’t pull their weight? Imagine if you had to go home and sleep beside that person EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. If something about your ‘colleague’ is bothering you, air the discussion before it boils over into your home life.

Finally, work with other people too. Build a network, do conference calls – anything. Because if you isolate yourself in a Pinterest perfect home office with just your partner forever, that’s a definite recipe for a very real Mr and Mrs Smith-style murder.

Tweet us what you think at @MarieClaireUK 

As Marvel announce a new female Thor comic, we ask who could play her in the inevitable movie...

In one of the best girl-power news stories of the week, Marvel Comics has announced that one of its most popular characters, Thor, God of strength, will be reincarnated as a woman in a new cartoon series this October.

Jason Aaron, Marvel series writer, was keen to make it clear to fans that the new Thor is not a secondary character, or spouse to the original.“This is not She-Thor," he said. "This is not Lady Thor. This is not Thorita. This is THOR. This is the THOR of the Marvel Universe. But it’s unlike any Thor we’ve ever seen before.”

Initial artworks dress our new heroine in an SS14-ready metallic ensemble, complete with a chic cape and the ultimate androgynous accessory – Thor’s iconic hammer.

And would it be weird to say that we’re totally jealous of thenew protagonist’s strong bod? Marvel have perfectly translated the character’s traditionally hunky torso (supplied by Chris Hemsworth in the 2011 film) into a tough female form, without trying to down-play herphysical strength because she’s a woman.

In a statement on their website, Marvel acknowledged that they hope the new character will spur on a new generation of female comic book fans.“The new Thor continues Marvel’s proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more," they said. "And this new Thor isn’t a temporary female substitute- she’s not the one and only Thor, and she is worthy [of the status]!"

And so, as all mega-franchises seem to get made into movies these days, we thought we’d pick our top 5 kick-ass actresses who could play the super woman when she inevitably comes to the big screen. Jennifer Lawrence Has already put in the groundwork by training as a Tribute for The Hunger Games and as Raven in X-Men. She also recently face-palmed Emma Watson whilst wearing Dior Couture – an encouraging sign that she could pull off some serious combat moves whilst handling that gorgeous billowing cape.

Angelina Jolie Our ultimate woman-itarian is already out to save the world, so her attitude is spot-on for the part. Add to that her Tomb Raider combat-training past and we have a real force to be reckoned with.

Cara Delevingne Cara may not be as experienced in the field as some of the other contenders we’ve mentioned, but her recent runway rumbles show a feistier side. And if all else fails, she could do something clever with those eyebrows to ward-off the enemy.

Beyoncé Queen B hasn’t fronted a movie since Cadillac Records in 2008, but for this particular role we think she is seriously over-qualified. After all, who runs the world?

Angela Merkel Yes, we know we’re getting silly now, but there’s no denying that the German Chancellor is one seriously powerful lady...

Angelina Jolie has been made an honorary Dame by the Queen.

Angelina Jolie’s list of accomplishments just keeps getting longer and longer. The 39-year-old Oscar winner and UN Special Envoy has now been named an honorary dame by the Queen.

Ange isn’t a British citizen, so she doesn’t officially hold the title, but that doesn’t seem to bother her.

‘To receive an honour related to foreign policy means a great deal to me as it is what I wish to dedicate my working life to. Working on PSVI (Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative) and with survivors of rape is an honour in itself. I know that succeeding in our goals will take a lifetime and I am dedicated to it for all of mine,’ she said of the award.

She was given the honour of Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George for her campaigning work for services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war zone sexual violence.

Well-deserved? We think so. The Maleficent star has been nothing short of inspiring with her efforts at the End Sexual Violence in Conflict summit last week, and her work with the UN.

Daniel Day Lewis, Zhandra Rhodes and cancer victim and fundraiser Stephen Sutton were also honoured during the Queen’s birthday celebrations.

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Brita Fernandez Schmidt, the UK executive director of Women for Women International, sheds light on the horrors of sexual violence...

Over 1,000 women were raped every day in the Congo during the worst period of the conflict, between 20,000 - 50,000 women are estimated to have been raped in Bosnia during the war, up to half a million women raped during the Rwandan 1994 genocide… the violence has to stop! And, finally it seems world leaders agree, as Foreign Secretary William Hague and Special Envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Angelina Jolie, co-chair the first ever Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in London 10-13 June.

The Summit represents a real opportunity for progress to be made in ending this abuse. I hope that it leads to two key outcomes:

1. Widespread public demand for ending sexual violence against women. 2. Political leadership and commitment that will lead to the implementation of the global and national commitments (laws) that already exist for ending violence against women. Sexual violence in conflict is a dehumanising and traumatising abuse that is both a result of lawlessness in conflict and a tactic of conflict. Women and girls are overwhelmingly targeted for abuse due to their roles (both within homes and communities) and wider discrimination based on the fact that they are women. 

Sexual violence in conflict (against women and girls) needs to be understood as part of the wider issue of violence against women and girls in all countries, whether in conflict or peace.

According to the World Health Organisation, violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least 1 in 3 women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in their lifetime with the abuser usually someone known to the woman. This is not just a ‘women’s’ issue, it is a global human rights crisis as we have seen just last few weeks with the two girls gang raped in India, and the woman stoned to death in Pakistan. In some parts of the world a girl is more likely to be raped than to learn how to read and every year, 60 million girls are sexually assaulted at, or on their way to, school.

Due to the value placed on women and girls’ sexual purity, most of our Women for Women International (WfWI) country offices reported that survivors of sexual violence are often forced to marry the perpetrator to prevent shame on the family. Our office in Iraq reported that survivors of sexual violence became targets for ‘honour killings’, or were pressured towards committing suicide, and from our work in South Sudan we know of reported cases of forced prostitution due to the social (and economic) exclusion of survivors.

Increases in sexual violence in conflict also correlates with increases of other forms of violence, by both combatants and civilians. Women for Women International’s participants in South Sudan, for example, reported increases of domestic violence against women since December 2013 by both male and female family members (husbands and mothers-in-law).

At Women for Women International we work with the most socially excluded women in conflict affected countries and, over the past 20 years, we have directly worked with over 400,000 women survivors of war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Rwanda, South Sudan, Congo and Nigeria. We have learned a lot about how to support women to rebuild their lives after violence and conflict.

So what can be done? Overall, addressing sexual violence must sit within wider efforts to address violence against women. Change needs to happens at all levels – from the government to the community and individual women. Governments have to effectively implement existing commitments to end violence against women. I hope that all countries and their representatives at the Summit will personally commit to implementing existing agreements and exercise their leadership until significant progress has been made.

Through our work with communities in countries affected by conflict, we know that in order to end sexual violence in conflict, initiatives have to focus on working with communities to create an enabling environment for women's participation. A significant part of the training that we provide for the most socially-excluded women in countries affected by conflict focuses on rights education and decision-making to support them to challenge discrimination that they experience, including violence. In Rwanda, for example, WfWI graduates have joined gender- based violence awareness committees which work with police officers. In that way women are actively shaping solutions to violence. Engaging with men and working closely with male leaders in the community is also key to addressing violence against women.

We also know that women's participation needs to be at the heart of any commitments, initiatives and strategies aimed at ending sexual violence against women. I have met so many courageous and wonderful women who have survived some of the most horrendous violence and they are brave and speak out and want to raise their voices to ensure the violence stops. I remember one woman who had been held as a sex slave for 15 years in Congo, she said something to me that I will never forget:

‘All the women around the world should continue speaking out whenever their rights are abused. We should speak about it because our speeches might have an impact. The DRC Constitution is considering sanctions for rape perpetrators to be jailed for 20 years. We should not keep silent. I ask all women all over the world to be courageous and speak out about whatever happens to them. If we do that, we will contribute to the ongoing mission of ending violence against women. We are of great value, and the world will recognise it only if we are united in denouncing evil. To stay silent is itself a form of violence against women.’

You can support us and all the other organisations trying to End Sexual Violence in Conflict by joining us at the ExCeL Centre in London. There are lots of interesting Free Fringe events, open to the public. For example we would love to see you at the following events:

· Film screening: The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo, Wednesday 11 June, 10.30am – ExCel cinema.

· Panel Discussion: Lessons from Yugoslavia - What can the world learn from experiences in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo? Thursday, Discussion Room 2 12 June, 2.30pm.

· Exhibition: I Dream of Congo: Narratives from the Great Lakes Exhibition runs Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 June at the ExCeL gallery space G10-G11.

· Change the world, one woman at a time: Join Women for Women International Tuesday 10 – Thursday 12 June, ExCeL market place. See you there? You can also follow the Summit on Twitter and Facebook: @end_svc #TimeToAct @WilliamJHague @womenforwomenuk @BritaFS

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Read the full transcript of Angelina Jolie's speech from the The End Sexual Violence In Conflict Summit in London.

Angelina Jolie delivered a powerful speech at the first ever End Sexual Violence in Conflict summit in London.

Joined by co-chair William Hague, the actress and United Nations Special Envoy opened the four-day summit with powerful words that urged the global community to take action.

THIS is Angelina Jolie's incredible speech in full...

‘It is a myth that rape is an inevitable part of conflict. There is nothing inevitable about it.

It is a weapon of war aimed at civilians.

It has nothing to do with sex, everything to do with power.

It is done to torture and to humiliate innocent people, and often very young children.

I have met survivors from Afghanistan to Somalia and they are just like us, with one crucial difference.

We live in safe countries with doctors we can go to when we’re hurt, police we can turn to when we’re wronged, and institutions that protect us.

They live in refugee camps or bombed out streets in areas where there is no law, no protection, and not even the hope of justice.

They struggle to keep their children safe and if they admit to being raped, they are likely to face more violence and social rejection.

Other survivors live in countries where war is over, but the peace has brought no justice. And as an international community, we are responsible for that.

We need to shatter that culture of impunity and make justice the norm, not the exception, for these crimes.

We need political will replicated across the world and we need to treat this subject as a priority.

We need to see real commitment to go after the worst perpetrators, to fund proper protection for vulnerable people and to step in and help the worst affected countries.

We need all armies, peacekeeping troops and police forces to have the prevention of sexual violence in conflict as part of their training.

More than 100 countries will be represented at the summit, and we will be asking them to take these measures. But we really do need your help.

This whole subject has been taboo for far too long.

War zone rape is a crime that thrives on silence and denial.

This stigma harms survivors and it causes feeling of shame and worthlessness.

It feeds ignorance, such as the notion that rape has anything to do with normal sexual impulses. But most of all, it allows the rapist to get away with it.

They feel above the law because the law rarely touches them and society tolerates them.

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, ”The destiny of human rights is in the hands of all of our citizens and all our communities.”

And this evil will continue to ruin the lives of millions of people unless we make this summit a turning point - and we can.

We must send a message across the world that there is no disgrace in being a survivor of sexual violence; that the shame is on the aggressor.

We must work together in new and unprecedented ways across borders and religions, bringing governments and people together and tackling the problem from every possible angle.

And by doing this we can end the use of rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war once and for all. We really can do it.

So, thank you so much for joining us today, for joining us in this fight, and I wish us all a very productive summit.’

Read Angelina's exclusive interview in the July Issue of Marie Claire, out now. 

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The Global Summit To End Sexual Violence begins in London today

UN Special Envoy Angelina Jolie is a seriously busy woman. The Global Summit To End Sexual Violence, co-hosted with Foreign Secretary William Hague, begins today in London, where she’s also announcing a new campaign with Stella McCartney and the charity War Child UK, highlighting the plight of children living in war zones.

We literally couldn’t feel any more in awe of one woman.

'I hope [The Global Summit] will bring recognition and dignity for survivors, so they feel less alone, less stigmatised and see help coming,' Angelina told Marie Claire’s Andrea Thompson in an exclusive interview, out now.

Millions of rapes and violent sexual crimes happen in war-stricken countries around the world and Angelina recognises that it is a huge problem to tackle. In her Marie Claire interview, she shares the harrowing stories of victims she has met and discusses her proposed plan of action to drive change. 'One of the biggest challenges is to persuade people we can actually change this situation,' she told us. 'We all agree that rape is a terrible crime. But many people have got used to thinking of it as an inevitable feature of war.'

The conference, running for the next three days at the ExCel centre, will see a whole programme of free public events and is the biggest of its kind, with 140 countries taking part.

One of the key events will be the announcement of War Child UK’s new campaign Draw Me to Safety, which Angelina has worked on with Stella. Using art created by both British children and children living in conflict-zones, the event aims to analyse what the concept of safety means to children today.

With six and four children respectively, Angelina and Stella are both working mothers, leaders in their fields, and pioneers for global change (Stella’s ethical values have been driving change in the fashion industry for years). We can’t think of two better or more influential ambassadors for the cause.

Read our full interview with Angelina Jolie in the July issue of Marie Claire, out now.

We cannot wait to see what Angelina Jolie brings to this role.

Angelina Jolie has revealed that she's set to star in a new Cleopatra film. The epic story of the Egyptian queen has been told many times, with actresses Elizabeth Taylor, Vivien Leigh and Sophia Loren all playing the lead.

Jolie certainly has a few tough acts to follow, but that’s only motivation for the 35-year old actress and humanitarian to get ahead of the game. Though a director has not been chosen yet, Jolie has set her mind to capturing the spirit of the queen of the Nile.

‘She’s complicated; it’s complicated to get this one right. I think we’re getting there. It’s getting close. I imagine the preparation for it is going to be big,' she told Edith Bowman in a Radio 5 Live interview.

From Sarah Bernhardt in 1891 to Monica Bellucci in 2002, the role of Cleopatra has historically been played by incredibly beautiful and talented actresses. We know Angie will have no trouble filling such big shoes. The Maleficent star’s career has seen a paramount evolution since her Hackers days. She did, however, confess concerns about where she would go from there.

‘It’s one of those that you think maybe that’s the one you put everything into and that’s where you end it, that’s where you finish – in a great way! What could you do beyond that one?’

Is Ange hinting at a retirement from acting after Cleopatra?

‘I’m sure there will be more films but I am happy I am able to be selective and have fun with characters like this but I would like to focus on writing and directing and above all I would like to focus more on my work with the UN and PSVI.' she said.

Let's take a look at the beautiful and talented actresses who have taken on the role of Cleopatra before Ange: Theda Bara, Cleopatra, 1917 Most of the film was destroyed in various fires in the 1930s, but Bara’s revealing attire got it banned in the US in 1930.

Claudette Colbert, Cleopatra, 1935 The film, which won an Academy Award for best cinematography, was one of Paramount Pictures’ most successful films that year, and is known as director Cecil B. DeMille’s best work.

Vivien Leigh, Caesar and Cleopatra, 1945 Adapted from the play by George Bernard Shaw, this film was the most expensive ever made in Britain at the time, costing £1,278,000. The director, Gabriel Pascal, went so far as to have the sand flown in from Egypt, but the film flopped and almost ended his career.

Sophia Loren, Two Nights With Cleopatra, 1953 In this Italian comedy, Loren plays a seductive Cleopatra as well as her timid double, Nisca. The plot involves confusion, deception and a lot of seduction. The film itself received pretty bad reviews, but the stunning Sophia shines.

Elizabeth Taylor, Cleopatra, 1963 The four hour-long film won nine Academy Awards and almost bankrupted 20th Century Fox, with a cost of $44 million (that’s over £202 million today). It received mixed reviews, but was undoubtedly extravagant. Liz Taylor walked away with a Guinness World Record for most costume changes (65, in total), and a new husband, co-star Richard Burton.

From her icy stare to those impressive wings, you definitely don't want to miss Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent.

Angelina Jolie’s latest blockbuster Maleficent hits UK cinemas today, and sees the Hollywood starlet transformed into one of Disney’s most infamous villains. It is without a doubt Angelina that steals the show in this movie, so here are the six times we were truly mesmerised by her...

The Icy Stare

We all know how captivating Angelina's gaze can be (heck, we've been practicing her smize in the mirror for years), but after seeing Maleficent we’re upgrading it to terrifying. Thanks to her dazzling eyes and villainous make-up (done by special make-up effects artist Rick Baker), Ange’s icy stare captured Disney’s most infamous villain perfectly.

Flying High

Seeing Angelina flying is not something we're used to (despite her seemingly near superwoman capabilities at juggling being a mother, actress, director, UN ambassador and being one half of Brangelina). With an impressive wingspan Ange soars all over the place in her latest movie, and it kinda took our breath away.

From Good To Bad, Just Like That

One of the best things about this film is watching how Ange effortlessly shifts from a comforting mother-like figure to a truly frightening woman. Skills.

Her Own Daughter

Angelina’s own daughter, Vivienne, makes her acting debut in Maleficent as a young Aurora (too cute), and the way Ange looks at her daughter is enough to give you chills. If a face as adorable as Vivienne’s was staring up at us, we’re not sure we’d be able to give such a realistic performance. Guess that's why we've never won an Oscar, then...

Those Cheekbones

Everyone knows Angelina Jolie has incredible cheekbones, but special make-up effects artist Rick Baker has turned them into a thing of wonder. Combined with her pale complexion, red lips and terrifying horns, we could not take our eyes off her.

We Could Totally Empathise

It’s the emotional human moments of Ange’s performance, which truly make her majestic. And, although she's playing a villain, we totally felt Ange's pain. Not an easy thing to pull off when you're rocking horns and cheekbones that could cut glass.

Maleficent is in UK cinemas today (Wednesday 28 May).

The actress admitted that she would consider running for political office - if things were a little different...

Angelina Jolie has proven that she can pretty much do it all. She stars in hit blockbusters, directs critically acclaimed films, serves as a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN, raises six children and looks flawless every time she steps out of the house.

In fact, we've actually started wondering if she has super powers. But while we may think her talents are limitless, there's one role she's not convinced she could conquer.

In an interview with Good Morning America, the Maleficent star, 38, was asked if she'd consider running for political office. After all, she's devoted loads of time and effort into global humanitarian issues and has many friends in politics. But Angie isn't convinced she's the woman for the job.

'You know, if I thought I'd be effective, I would,' she said. 'But I'm not sure if I would ever be taken seriously in that way, and be able to be effective.'

Come on, Angie. If Arnold Schwarzenegger can be taken seriously enough to be elected Governor of California, surely you can, too!

Jokes aside, Angelina has proven that she's passionate about human rights issues - and she's clearly very clever and hard-working. But she may have a point. Could people ever stop seeing her as a glamorous A-list actress and take her seriously in a position of leadership?

What do you think? Should Angie consider running for political office in the U.S.?

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Consider our interest piqued, Angelina...

Angelina Jolie has revealed that she and Brad Pitt will be sharing the spotlight in a new film she's been writing.

Though the director and actress didn't reveal too many details about the flick, Ange did mention that it was not the type of film either of them would normally be cast in.

'It's not a big movie, it's not an action movie,' Ange said. 'It's the kind of movie we love, but aren't often cast in. It's a very experimental, independent-type film where we get to be actors together and be really raw, open, try things.'

So don't get your hopes up for a steamy Mr. & Mrs. Smith sequel. Although, we've watched the trailer for Unbroken, which Angie recently directed, and the powerful film's got 'Academy Award' written all over it. This next project has the potential to be even better.

During her interview with Extra, she also revealed how she and Brad have kept the flame alive for the 10 years they've been together. 'He's my family. He's not just a lover and a partner,' Jolie said. 'Like everybody, we have our challenges but we're fighting to make it great.'

We can't wait to see what Hollywood's reigning couple will pull out of the bag next.

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Toys for everyone! Angelina Jolie treated her five youngest kids to a shopping spree at FAO Schwarz

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's six children have access to just about anything their adorable little hearts could desire. So it's nice to see that they still get this excited about a trip to the toy shop.

The superstar mum took five of her kids - Pax, 10, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 7, and 5-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox - to visit FAO Schwarz in New York City on Tuesday afternoon. (Her oldest son, 12-year-old Maddox, was the only one missing.)

We loving getting new looks at Angie's adorable brood and marvelling out how fast her little ones are growing up. We also love checking out their super-cute outfits - and how fond they seem to be of each other.

The sheer joy on their little faces shows that, despite being one of the wealthiest families in the world, trips to the toy store probably aren't an everyday occurrence. And how sweet is this snap of Zahara and Shiloh holding hands as they rush into the store? Those two are clearly lifetime BFFs.

Seriously, Brangelina: If you ever need an extra sitter, we'd love to put our hat in the ring.

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