Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie were once one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples.

 

 

Their whirlwind romance, passionate public displays of affection, and unconventional behaviors—including wearing vials of each other’s blood—made headlines worldwide.

 

However, just as quickly as they fell in love, their relationship came to an abrupt end.

 

Now, after two decades, Thornton is finally revealing why their marriage fell apart.

 

 

Thornton and Jolie first met on the set of Pushing Tin in 1999.

 

At the time, Thornton was engaged to actress Laura Dern, and Jolie had recently divorced her first husband, Jonny Lee Miller.

 

Sparks flew between them, and in a shocking turn of events, Thornton left Dern and married Jolie in a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony in May 2000.

 

 

 

Dern later revealed that she was blindsided by the breakup, claiming she left for work on a film and never heard from Thornton again.

 

 

Their relationship was intense and filled with eccentric declarations of love.

 

From their public make-out sessions on red carpets to Thornton’s infamous comment about their “exciting moments in the car,” they weren’t afraid to show the world their passion.

 

The most bizarre aspect of their relationship was their blood necklaces, which Thornton later clarified were small vials of blood they wore as a way to feel connected when apart.

 

 

Despite their undeniable chemistry, their differences soon became apparent.

 

Thornton, known for his reclusive nature and love of simple living, struggled with Jolie’s fast-paced, globally focused lifestyle.

 

Jolie was deeply involved in humanitarian work, traveling to war-torn countries and meeting world leaders, while Thornton preferred to stay at home, watch baseball, and avoid the spotlight.

 

 

Their marriage took a major turn in 2002 when Jolie decided to adopt a Cambodian child, Maddox.

 

 

Initially, the couple planned to adopt together, but as their relationship deteriorated, Jolie ended up adopting Maddox as a single parent.

 

Thornton later admitted that he was not ready for that kind of commitment, leading to further cracks in their marriage.

 

 

Rumors of Thornton’s infidelity also surfaced, including speculation that he had an affair with his therapist while undergoing treatment for sex addiction.

 

Though neither he nor Jolie confirmed these allegations, the gossip only fueled speculation that their marriage was beyond repair.

 

 

By mid-2002, their relationship was over.

 

Jolie later reflected on their split, saying that they had simply grown apart.

 

She explained that they changed so much in a short time that one day, they realized they no longer had anything in common.

 

Thornton echoed this sentiment years later, stating that their vastly different lifestyles made it impossible to stay together.

 

 

Despite their divorce, Thornton and Jolie have remained on good terms.

 

 

 

Jolie even wrote the foreword for Thornton’s memoir in 2012, praising his unique personality and describing him as someone she still admired.

 

Thornton has also spoken fondly of Jolie in interviews, saying that while they live very different lives now, they still check in with each other occasionally.

 

 

Thornton has since found stability in his marriage to Connie Angland, with whom he shares a daughter.

 

He has embraced a quieter, more private life, away from the Hollywood chaos that defined his past relationships.

 

Meanwhile, Jolie moved on to marry Brad Pitt, though that marriage also ended in divorce.

 

 

Their love story was short-lived but unforgettable, leaving a lasting impact on Hollywood and pop culture.

 

While they were once one of the most controversial couples in the industry, their mutual respect for each other proves that some bonds, even after a breakup, never truly fade.