Angelina Jolie on Dark Times: ‘I Was Going to Hire Somebody to Kill Me’

At a young age, Angelina Jolie faced such severe mental health struggles that she considered ending her life by hiring a hitman.

Reflecting on this dark period, Jolie has shared in various interviews that she experienced suicidal thoughts at the age of 22 but hesitated to commit suicide because of her family. Seeking an alternative, the Oscar-winning actress decided to hire someone to kill her and stage it as a robbery.

“This is going to sound insane but there was a time I was going to hire somebody to kill me,” Jolie told IMDb. She elaborated on the accessibility of hitmen, stating, “They’re not that hard to find in New York. As insane as it sounds, I think a lot of people consider suicide when they’re young. I was very aware that so many people around me, like my mother, would feel as though they didn’t give enough or do enough if I’d taken my own life.”

In an interview with Hello Magazine, Jolie further explained her thought process, saying, “So my solution to that was if someone else had taken my life like in a ‘robbery,’ then it would be murder, and it wouldn’t be that anyone would feel they’d let me down.”

Despite her meticulous planning, Jolie was ultimately saved when the hitman she contacted talked her out of it. “He was a decent enough person and asked if I could think about it and call him again in two months,” she recounted. “Something changed in my life, and I figured I’d stick it out.”

Jolie’s revelation underscores the profound mental health challenges she faced in her youth and highlights the critical importance of support and intervention during such times. Her candidness about her struggles offers a powerful reminder of the complexities of mental health and the ways in which individuals seek to cope with overwhelming feelings.

Now 49, Jolie’s journey from that dark phase to becoming a renowned actress, humanitarian, and mother is a testament to her resilience and strength. Her story serves as an inspiration to many who may be facing similar battles, emphasizing that it is possible to overcome even the most desperate moments.

Angelina Jolie’s openness about her past continues to shed light on the importance of mental health awareness and the need for compassionate support systems. Her experience illustrates that even in the darkest times, there can be a path to recovery and hope.