Angelina Jolie has revealed she’s bringing up her daughters to recognise the importance of prioritising mental development over their looks.
Writing for Elle UK in the publication’s September issue, the actor argued that “there is nothing more attractive—you might even say enchanting—than a woman with an independent will and her own opinions”.
Jolie continued: “I often tell my daughters that the most important thing they can do is to develop their minds. You can always put on a pretty dress, but it doesn’t matter what you wear on the outside if your mind isn’t strong.”
The Maleficent star has three daughters and three sons with ex-husband Brad Pitt.
Elsewhere in the essay, Jolie pontificates about the need for more “wicked women” in the world, proceeding to challenge gender stereotypes surrounding strong women.
“Why is so much energy expended to keep women in a secondary position?” Jolie writes before defining such women as those “who are tired of injustice and abuse” and “refuse to follow rules and codes they don’t believe are best for themselves or their families”.
Jolie goes on to describe these women as people “who won’t give up on their voice and rights, even at the risk of death or imprisonment or rejection by their families and communities.
“If that is wickedness,” she added, “then the world needs more wicked women.”
Jolie is a special envoy for the United Nations and a vocal advocate for women’s rights.
In December, the actor and humanitarian guest-edited an episode of BBC’s Todayprogramme, using the opportunity to discuss sexual violence against women in underdeveloped countries.
The September issue ofElle UK is on sale from Thursday 8 August 2019.
