Lara Croft actress Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce from her husband of two years, 46-year-old writer, director and producer Billy Bob Thornton. Documents presented in Los Angeles on Wednesday cited "irreconcilable differences" and sought custody for the actress of the couple's 11-month-old adopted son.
News of Angelina's move comes hot on the heels of an interview published this week's US Weekly magazine in which the Girl Interrupted star admitted that they were "going through a difficult time". The couple have been living in separate hotels for months and have not seen each other since June 3, she said.
The rapid deterioration of their relationship comes in sharp contrast to its passionate beginnings. When they fell in love, after meeting on the set of 1999 movie Pushing Tin, it seemed the couple couldn’t do enough to proclaim the depth of their commitment. There were his and hers tattoos, pendants filled with each other’s blood and even side-by-side burial plots.
It appears a factor in the split may have been the arrival of Maddox, whom the couple adopted earlier in the year. While she was quoted as saying in the magazine article that there was no single reason for the break up, Angelina added: "It’s clear to me that our priorities shifted overnight.”
Cambodian-born Maddox was permitted to enter the US in early June after a lengthy wait to get immigration procedures sorted out. Almost as soon as he arrived, 46-year-old Billy Bob left to go on tour with his country-rock band.
“He’s focused on his music and his career,” says Angelina, of her estranged husband. “I’m focused on my baby. Maddox is so important to me. It comes down to what’s important to you. Good for him. But I have other priorities.” She also indicated that she would like to adopt more children.
The couple were married in Las Vegas in 2000. It was Angelina’s second marriage and Billy Bob’s fifth. A spokesperson for Billy Bob said the Sling Blade writer, actor and director's only comment was: “It's a sad thing”.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
