Billy Bob Thornton’s relationships have always been marked by controversy, and his marriage to Angelina Jolie was no exception.
Their whirlwind romance, characterized by eccentric behavior and public fascination, captivated Hollywood. However, it wasn’t until recently that Billy Bob finally spoke about the reasons behind their split, over 20 years after their divorce.
Before Angelina, Billy Bob had been married multiple times, each relationship marked by turmoil and personal struggles. His first marriage, to Melissa Lee Gatlin in 1978, ended due to incompatibility and infidelity.
Their daughter, Amanda, grew up estranged from Billy Bob, and in 2008, she was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the tragic death of her best friend’s one-year-old daughter. Although Amanda was released in 2020, the strain from Billy Bob’s divorce seemed to play a significant role in their fractured relationship.
Billy Bob’s second marriage, to actress Tony Lawrence in 1986, was brief and ended in 1988. Though little is known about their time together, Tony later reflected that Billy Bob, despite his immense talent, struggled with internal conflicts that affected their marriage.
In 1990, he married actress Cinda Williams, but their union only lasted two years. Cinda later admitted that their connection was more platonic than romantic, and they separated amicably.
Billy Bob’s fourth marriage was to former Playboy model Patra Dawn Chernak in 1993. They had two children together but divorced in 1997, with Patra filing for a restraining order, accusing Billy Bob of physical abuse. Billy Bob denied the accusations, but the public scrutiny of his personal life only grew more intense.
Amid these tumultuous relationships, Billy Bob’s connection with Angelina Jolie became the most famous. They met in 1999 while working together on the film Pushing Tin, and their chemistry was undeniable.
Billy Bob, who was engaged to actress Laura Dern at the time, left her for Angelina, which caused a media stir. Laura Dern later revealed the shock of the breakup, stating that she came home to find that Billy Bob had married Angelina.
Their relationship quickly escalated, and in 2000, they married in Las Vegas. Their marriage became one of the most unconventional in Hollywood history. They wore vials of each other’s blood around their necks, a gesture that symbolized their intense devotion to one another. Their public displays of affection and bold, raw love fascinated the media.
However, cracks began to appear in their marriage shortly after their wedding. In 2002, Angelina adopted a child from Cambodia, and the couple started to grow apart.
While Billy Bob initially supported the adoption, the shift in focus toward motherhood caused a distance between them. The bond they once shared began to fade, and in 2003, they announced their separation.
Billy Bob’s explanation for their split suggests that despite the intense and passionate start, their relationship ultimately couldn’t withstand the changes that came with parenthood and their evolving personal lives.
