Angelina Jolie admits that becoming a mom ‘SAVED her’ from ‘going under’ to a ‘much darker’ place as she opens up about life as a ‘single mother’ in wake of Brad Pitt divorce – while STUNNING in graffiti dress on cover of Vogue

Angelina Jolie revealed how becoming a mum ‘saved’ her from going to a ‘much darker’ place while opening up about life as a ‘single mum’ following her divorce from Brad Pitt – as she stunned in a dress covered in graffiti on the cover of Vogue magazine.

The 48-year-old actress opened up about how adopting her first son, Maddox, at age 26 “changed her whole life” and “taught her to be in this world differently” while chatting with the publication.

She also explained how “wanting to live” for her six children had kept her going “recently”, seemingly alluding to the bitter breakup she endured with ex Brad, 59.

“I was 26 when I became a mother. My whole life changed,” she shared. “Having children saved me and taught me to live differently in this world.

The 48-year-old actress opened up about how adopting her first son, Maddox, at age 26 “changed her whole life” and “taught her to live differently in this world” while chatting with the publication.

She also explained how “wanting to live” for her six children had kept her going “recently”, seemingly alluding to the bitter breakup she endured with ex Brad, 59.

“I think recently I would have fallen into much darker circumstances if I hadn’t wanted to live for them.”

“They’re better than me, because you want your kids to be.” Of course, I’m the mother and I hope it’s a safe place for them and that stability.

“But I’m also the one they make fun of – and I see them taking over so many different aspects of our family.”

Angelina admitted she’s been feeling “a little down these days,” adding: “I haven’t felt like I’ve been myself for a decade, in a way that I don’t want to get into .”

She also said she was in the midst of a “transition as a person.”

“We had a lot of healing to do. We are still finding our place,” she explained.

The 48-year-old graced the cover of the magazine’s November 2023 issue in a white strapless dress covered in pink spray paint as she promoted her upcoming fashion venture, Atelier Jolie.

She looked fiercely away from the camera and clutched two bottles of paint in a snap, while her long brunette locks were pulled back into a tight bun.

Brad and Angelina met on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith (seen) and married in 2014.

They welcomed three children: Shiloh and twins Vivienne and Knox. They also adopted Zahara and Pax, and Brad adopted the son Angelina had adopted before they met, Maddox.

But in 2016, it came to an explosive end after the couple got into an alleged physical altercation while they were on a private flight with their six children. They are seen in November 2015

“I don’t want to become a big fashion designer, I want to build a house for other people to become one,” she said of her new brand.

“I hope to change many aspects of my life. And this one is facing forward.

Angelina told the outlet that she hoped Atelier Jolie would inspire women to “feel safe enough” to be “soft,” something she herself struggled to do.

“Sometimes the way you dress says, ‘Don’t mess with me, I have my armor.’ But I want a woman to feel safe enough to be able to be gentle,” she continued.

“After experiencing something that hurt me, a therapist asked me if I would try wearing something that flowed.

“It sounds silly, but I thought the pants and boots projected a “tougher” look, a stronger me.

“Was I strong enough to be gentle?” At the time, no. I felt vulnerable. Now I wonder if… I don’t know what my style is because I’m still figuring out who I am at 48.

Another image from the shoot showed her subtly smiling in a silky yellow dress with a dark cape draped over her shoulder.

A third saw her chatting with collaborator Gabriela Hearst in a backless black tank top and similarly colored pants, while a fourth showed her alongside Helen Aboah, president and COO of the Atelier Jolie, and Giles Duley, Atelier Jolie’s corporate impact advisor, in a trendy white top, loose pants and gloves.

Angelina and Brad started dating in 2005 and from the start, their romance was controversial.

They met on the set of the 2005 film Mr. & Mrs. Smith — while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston — and almost immediately, rumors arose that he had cheated on the Friends alum.

Angelina (seen in 2021) admitted she’s feeling “a bit down these days”, adding: “I don’t feel like I’ve been myself in a decade.” She also said she was in “transition as a person.”

It was a love triangle that seemed to conquer the entire nation – and although Brad began dating Angelina almost immediately after his split from Jennifer, he furiously denied being unfaithful to his ex.

Despite allegations of infidelity, it seemed Brangelina was a match made in heaven, and for over a decade they were Hollywood’s power couple.

They married in August 2014 in a secret ceremony in the south of France and welcomed three children together during their romance: Shiloh, now 17, in 2006, and twins Vivienne and Knox , now aged 15, in 2008.

They also adopted two others, Zahara, now 18, and Pax, now 19, and Brad legally adopted the son Angelina had adopted before they met, Maddox, now aged 22.

But in 2016, it came to an explosive end after the couple got into an alleged physical altercation while they were on a private flight with their six children.

Angelina later claimed that Brad “choked” one of the children during the horrific argument and “punched” another in the face, leaving her and the children feeling like “hostages” and feeling scared under cover for hours until they land.

She also alleged that he grabbed her by the head, slammed her against a wall and violently shook her at one point during the flight, causing her to injure her back and elbow.

Brad’s rep called Angelina’s story ‘completely false’ CNN at first, but later issued an amended statement to the publication that read: “Angelina’s story continues to evolve with each time she tells it.

“Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but won’t take responsibility for what he didn’t do. He has been the target of all sorts of personal attacks and misrepresentations.

“Fortunately, the various public authorities she has attempted to use against him over the past six years have made their own independent decisions. Brad will continue to answer in court as he always has.

Since their split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most high-profile legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children, as well as the winery they once owned together.

In May 2021, after years of battling in court, Brad and Angelina were officially granted joint custody of their six children — but a month later, the judge’s decision was overturned.