In the glittering yet often unforgiving world of Hollywood, few stories capture the imagination quite like that of Angelina Jolie. The Oscar-winning actress, humanitarian powerhouse, and mother of six has long been a symbol of resilience, glamour, and unyielding determination. But now, at 50 years old, Jolie is poised to make one of the most audacious moves of her life: selling her iconic $24.5 million Los Angeles estate and bidding farewell to the city of angels for good. As her youngest twins, Knox and Vivienne, approach their 18th birthday in July 2026, the Hollywood icon is gearing up for a dramatic relocation abroad, with Cambodia topping her list of dream destinations. This isn’t just a real estate transaction or a celebrity whim—it’s a bold escape from the pressures of fame, the scars of a protracted divorce, and the relentless spotlight of Tinseltown. What drives this seismic shift? A quest for privacy, peace, and a deeper connection to the global humanity she’s championed for decades. Imagine trading red carpets for rice paddies, paparazzi for profound purpose—Jolie’s story is a thrilling reminder that even icons crave reinvention.

The announcement, first whispered by insiders to People magazine in August 2025, sent shockwaves through entertainment circles. Jolie, who purchased the historic Cecil B. DeMille estate in Los Feliz back in 2017 for $24.5 million, is reportedly making minor improvements to the sprawling property before listing it. This isn’t her first brush with Hollywood real estate drama; the mansion, built in 1913 and once home to legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, who bought it in 1916 and lived there until 1959, carries layers of cinematic history. Spanning over 11,000 square feet on more than two acres, the estate boasts six bedrooms, ten bathrooms, four fireplaces, a wine cellar, formal gardens, a swimming pool with fountains, and views of the Griffith Observatory. It’s a “historic masterpiece,” as one source described it, complete with original details like Venetian-plastered walls, mahogany paneling, and French arched doors restored to perfection. But for Jolie, this palatial retreat—purchased amid the chaos of her separation from Brad Pitt—has served more as a necessary anchor than a dream home.

Jolie’s history with Los Angeles is deeply intertwined with her personal upheavals. Born in the city to actors Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand, she grew up amid the industry’s shallow allure, which she later described as lacking the “humanity” she’s discovered worldwide. Her purchase of the DeMille estate came shortly after filing for divorce from Pitt in 2016, a move necessitated by custody arrangements that tethered her to California until all their children reached adulthood. The couple, who share Maddox (24), Pax (21), Zahara (20), Shiloh (19), and twins Knox and Vivienne (17), endured an eight-year legal battle that finally settled in December 2024. “I am here because I have to be here from a divorce,” Jolie confided to The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, revealing the emotional toll of staying put. Clashes over parenting styles and broader life philosophies strained their union, with sources noting Pitt’s non-Hollywood roots contrasted sharply with Jolie’s ingrained industry perspective. Yet, as the twins near 18, freedom beckons. “She plans to relocate as soon as Knox and Viv turn 18 next year,” an insider told People. “She’ll be very happy when she’s able to leave Los Angeles.”

What fuels this daring departure? At its core, it’s a pursuit of authenticity in a town Jolie has called “not a healthy place.” Hollywood’s superficiality, relentless scrutiny, and safety concerns have worn on her. Recent incidents, like a trespasser breaching her neighborhood in July 2025—shortly after a break-in at Pitt’s home—underscore the vulnerabilities of celebrity life. “When you have a big family, you want them to have privacy, peace, safety,” she emphasized, lamenting how L.A. falls short on the “humanity” she’s encountered globally. Her humanitarian work, spanning over two decades as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, has exposed her to profound human stories—from refugees in Iraq and Syria to conservation efforts in Cambodia—that Hollywood’s glamour can’t replicate.

Jolie’s bond with Cambodia is particularly magnetic, tracing back to 2001 when she filmed Lara Croft: Tomb Raider there and adopted her eldest son, Maddox, in 2002. She considers it “the one place in my heart” she calls home, having purchased a riverside estate in 2008 and converted surrounding land into the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation’s wildlife preserve. “I’ll spend a lot of time in Cambodia,” she plans post-relocation, blending family visits with her ongoing conservation and advocacy. While specifics remain vague—”eyeing several locations abroad”—her global family ties suggest a nomadic future, visiting children scattered worldwide. Maddox studies in South Korea, Zahara attends college in Atlanta, and others pursue independent paths, embodying the “international” family she cherishes.

This move aligns with a broader exodus of celebrities fleeing Hollywood’s toxicity amid political turbulence, including Trump’s 2024 reelection. Jolie joins the likes of Jimmy Kimmel (Italian citizenship), Ellen DeGeneres (Cotswolds, UK), and Rosie O’Donnell (Ireland), seeking solace abroad. For Jolie, it’s less about politics and more about reclaiming a life dimmed by personal “dark” years—health struggles, divorce trauma, and a decade of feeling “not myself.” Her step back from acting, including stepping down as UNHCR Special Envoy, allowed focus on family and self-healing.

Jolie’s humanitarian legacy adds epic depth to her escape. As a UNHCR ambassador since 2001, she’s advocated for refugees, women’s rights, and conservation, founding foundations like the Maddox Jolie-Pitt in Cambodia. She’s credited Cambodian staff for much of the work, humbly admitting personal limitations due to family priorities. Abroad, she envisions amplifying these efforts, free from L.A.’s constraints. Her real estate portfolio hints at possibilities: a French chateau once shared with Pitt, or expanding Cambodian holdings.

Professionally, Jolie shows no signs of fading. Her portrayal of Maria Callas in Netflix’s Maria earned Oscar buzz, marking a triumphant return after a self-imposed hiatus. She’s reuniting with Mr. & Mrs. Smith director Doug Liman for spy thriller The Initiative, proving her star power endures. Ventures like Atelier Jolie, her sustainable fashion brand in a historic NYC space, blend creativity with ethics. Relocating won’t dim her career; it might ignite it, allowing authentic storytelling from lived experiences.

The human side of Jolie’s journey captivates most. Her children, once the epicenter of her custody battles, now symbolize her bold new chapter. “They are the closest people to me… my close friends,” she says of the “seven very different people” who form her strength. Some, like Maddox and Zahara, have distanced from Pitt’s surname, reflecting evolving family dynamics. Jolie’s emphasis on privacy has shielded them from Hollywood’s glare, fostering independence. Post-move, she’ll visit them globally, embodying a “family is international” ethos.

As the DeMille estate gates swing shut, Jolie’s escape narrative inspires. It’s a tale of breaking free from chains—legal, emotional, cultural—to embrace a world she’s long fought for. In leaving L.A., she doesn’t abandon her roots; she expands them, proving reinvention is possible at any age. Will Cambodia become her sanctuary, or will other horizons call? One thing’s certain: Angelina Jolie’s next act promises adventure, purpose, and unfiltered humanity. Hollywood may lose a resident icon, but the world gains a wandering legend. Buckle up—this bold escape is just beginning.