Hollywood actor Billy Bob Thornton has candidly discussed the reasons behind the dissolution of his three-year marriage to superstar Angelina Jolie, offering fresh insights into one of Tinseltown's most talked-about former couples.
The Civilised Breakup
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the 70-year-old Landman star reflected on his relationship with Jolie, which began over two decades ago. Thornton, who has since married Connie Angland, described their separation as "really civilised" despite intense media scrutiny.
The actor revealed that their fundamental lifestyle differences ultimately led to their divorce being finalised in 2003, just three years after they exchanged vows in a Las Vegas ceremony in 2000. "We simply split up because our lifestyles were so different," Thornton explained to the publication.
Despite their relatively brief marriage, Thornton expressed nothing but fondness for that period, describing it as "one of the greatest times of my life" and confirming that both he and the Maleficent actress "had a great time together."
Addressing Past Insecurities and Media Myths
Thornton previously opened up to GQ in 2016 about deeper personal struggles that contributed to the marriage's end, admitting he "never felt good enough for" Jolie. The Bad Santa star confessed to ABC News' Nightline that he "blew it" in the relationship due to his insecurities.
"I'm real uncomfortable around rich and important people," Thornton had expressed, noting his preference for staying home rather than attending glamorous red carpet events that came with Jolie's A-list status.
The actor also took the opportunity to clarify one of the most enduring pop culture myths surrounding their relationship - the infamous "vials of blood" they allegedly wore around their necks. Thornton insisted the story had been wildly exaggerated, explaining they were actually small lockets containing just a drop of blood each.
"She thought it would be interesting and romantic if we took a little razor blade and sliced our fingers, smeared a little blood on these lockets," Thornton detailed during a 2014 university appearance. He lamented how public fascination twisted the romantic gesture into something "negative," with people eventually believing "we're vampires" who "drink each other's blood."
Enduring Friendship and Family Lives
Two decades after their divorce, Thornton confirmed that he and Jolie maintain an amicable relationship. "She and I are still very, very close friends," he told Rolling Stone, echoing similar sentiments from a 2019 Us Weekly interview where he noted they "keep up with each other."
The former couple first met in 1999 on the set of Pushing Tin and eloped the following year. During their marriage, they announced the adoption of son Maddox in 2002, with Jolie later requesting and receiving full custody after their separation.
Jolie has publicly reciprocated Thornton's affectionate remarks over the years, telling press in 2008: "I still love him dearly and think the world of him. And I'm proud to have been his wife for a time."
Thornton has since built a family with wife Connie Angland, whom he married in 2014 after meeting in 2003, while Jolie focuses on raising their six children, including Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
