Angelina Jolie, a celebrated Hollywood actress and humanitarian, has been making headlines not just for her upcoming movie roles but also for her candid reflections on aging. At 49 years old, as mentioned in recent interviews, Jolie is openly embracing this new phase of her life and career. This comes as she prepares for her role in the film Maria, where she portrays the legendary opera singer Maria Callas.
In a recent interview with IndieWire at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival, Angelina Jolie discussed her role in Maria and how her perspective on art and music has evolved as she has gotten older. “I’m 49. I do feel like an older woman now and I embrace that,” Jolie stated. This statement directly addresses the question many fans and media outlets are curious about: Angelina Jolie’s age and how she views it. She elaborated on how her appreciation for music and art has deepened with age, particularly her newfound connection with opera.
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Angelina Jolie in “Maria”. Pablo Larraín
Jolie explained that as a younger woman, her musical tastes resonated with her immediate feelings of love and curiosity. However, she finds that opera now captures a deeper spectrum of emotions that aligns with her current stage in life. She described opera as “bigger” than everyday feelings, filled with hope and yearning, and profoundly moving. Her immersion into opera and the life of Maria Callas has been instrumental in preparing for her role. Jolie noted that “discovering, really listening to opera” is an indescribable feeling that opens one up to a wide range of human emotions and tragedies. She sees a connection between Callas’s art and her deep emotional experiences, suggesting that both explored profound depths of feeling and pain.
During a press conference at the Venice Film Festival in August 2024, Angelina Jolie further discussed how her musical preferences have changed over time. She mentioned her past love for punk music, particularly The Clash, but acknowledged her growing appreciation for classical music and opera as she has matured. Jolie believes that certain sounds, especially the immense emotions in opera, resonate with deeper feelings of despair, pain, and love that come with life experiences.
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Angelina Jolie on Aug. 29, 2024. Andreas Rentz/Getty
This isn’t the first time Angelina Jolie has spoken positively about aging. In a 2021 interview with British Vogue, she expressed her comfort with her 40s and anticipation for her 50s. She attributed this positive view partly to the early death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who passed away at 56. For Jolie, reaching each new age milestone feels like a “victory” rather than a source of sadness. She explicitly stated, “I’m looking forward to my 50s — I feel that I’m gonna hit my stride in my 50s.”
In conclusion, Angelina Jolie, currently 49 years old, is not only embracing aging but also finding new depths in her artistic pursuits and personal reflections. Her journey, marked by both professional achievements and personal growth, continues to inspire many as she steps into new roles and new phases of life.
