Angelina Jolie is much more than an award-winning actress and Hollywood icon. She has made her mark as a humanitarian, environmentalist, and advocate for social change. Whether through her adoption journey, conservation efforts, or her work with refugees, Jolie continues to use her platform to create a better world. Below are some of her most impactful contributions to society, nature, and her own family.
1. Advocating for Adoption and Embracing Diversity
Long before she became a household name for her humanitarian efforts, Jolie embraced the beauty of adoption. Her first child, Maddox, was adopted from Cambodia in 2002. Zahara joined the family in 2005 from Ethiopia, and Pax was adopted from Vietnam in 2007. Jolie also has three biological children—Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne—with her former husband, Brad Pitt.
Jolie has spoken openly about the importance of celebrating her children’s diverse backgrounds, saying, “Adoption and orphanage are positive words in our home. Each [child] is a beautiful way of becoming family.” She ensures that her adopted children remain connected to their cultural roots and ethnicities, celebrating their unique identities.
2. Raising Awareness About Women’s Health
In a groundbreaking move, Jolie shared her deeply personal story about her preventive double mastectomy and ovarian surgery to address her high risk of cancer. Her mother passed away from ovarian cancer, and Jolie herself had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer. Writing in Time magazine, she detailed her journey, hoping to inspire other women to take charge of their health.
Jolie’s courage to publicly discuss these surgeries broke the stigma around women’s health and gave countless individuals the strength to prioritize their well-being.
3. Setting an Example for Sustainability
Hollywood stars often shy away from repeating outfits, but Jolie makes bold statements by recycling and reusing clothes. At the Eternals premiere in 2021, Jolie and her children donned vintage and upcycled pieces from her wardrobe. Zahara wore Jolie’s 2014 Oscars gown, and Shiloh donned a dress her mother wore to a conservation event.
This simple act highlighted how reusing clothing can help reduce one’s carbon footprint and promote sustainability, even on the red carpet.
4. Championing Refugee Rights
As a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Jolie has been advocating for displaced individuals since her 20s. She has visited countless refugee camps, donated millions to the UNHCR, and funded health and education initiatives for vulnerable communities.
5. Conserving Cambodia’s Natural Beauty
After adopting Maddox, Jolie established the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in 2003 to conserve Cambodia’s environment and wildlife while alleviating rural poverty. Her efforts continue to make a significant impact on the region’s ecosystem and local communities.
6. Using Her Platform for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
When her child, Shiloh, began exploring gender expression, Jolie supported her unconditionally. Shiloh’s appearances in suits and tuxedos made headlines, but Jolie’s calm response showed her commitment to allowing her children to freely express themselves.
7. Empowering Women Through Beekeeping
Jolie partnered with UNESCO’s “Women for Bees” initiative, which trains women as beekeeper-entrepreneurs while protecting native bee habitats. In a striking 2021 National Geographic photo, Jolie posed covered in bees to raise awareness about the importance of pollinators to the planet.
8. Supporting Wildlife Conservation in Namibia
Jolie’s commitment to environmental preservation extends to Namibia, where she supported the creation of nurseries to replant trees in the Namib Desert. Her Jolie-Pitt Foundation also donated $2 million to the Naankuse Wildlife Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates animals in the region.
9. Philanthropy Through Family
Jolie and Pitt famously sold their children’s baby photos to raise millions for charity. The proceeds went to causes like Doctors Without Borders and the Global Action for Children initiative.
A Legacy of Compassion
Angelina Jolie continues to inspire the world with her dedication to humanitarian and environmental causes. By combining her global influence with her deep empathy, she remains a shining example of how celebrities can leverage their fame for meaningful change.
