The Locket, Not The Vial: Billy Bob Thornton's 5 Shocking Truths About The Angelina Jolie 'Blood Necklace' Scandal

The story of the blood vials is one of Hollywood’s most enduring and sensationalized myths, a bizarre detail that came to define the intense, three-year marriage between actors Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie. For over two decades, the public has believed the image of two stars wearing large, gothic vials of each other's blood around their necks, a symbol of their unconventional and passionate bond. However, in recent interviews, including one this year, Thornton has finally set the record straight, revealing that the infamous "vials" were a vastly overblown media fabrication, a simple "romantic gesture" that was blown way out of proportion. This article, updated for late 2025, delves into the true story behind the necklaces, the timeline of their whirlwind romance, and where both Oscar-winning artists stand today, offering the definitive, current perspective on one of the most talked-about celebrity marriages in history.

Biographical Profiles: Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie

The two actors who captivated the world with their intense romance are both highly accomplished, Oscar-winning figures with complex personal histories.

Billy Bob Thornton Profile

• Full Name: William Robert Thornton
• Born: August 4, 1955, in Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA
• Key Roles: *Sling Blade* (won Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay), *A Simple Plan*, *Fargo* (TV Series), *Bad Santa*, *Landman* (upcoming series).
• Career: Actor, filmmaker, screenwriter, director, and musician. Known for his versatile, often gritty characters.
• Marriages: Married six times. His current wife is Connie Angland, whom he married in 2014.
• Marriage to Jolie: Married May 5, 2000; divorced 2003.

Angelina Jolie Profile

• Full Name: Angelina Jolie Voight
• Born: June 4, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, USA
• Key Roles: *Girl, Interrupted* (won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress), *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*, *Maleficent*, *Mr. & Mrs. Smith*.
• Career: Actress, filmmaker, and renowned humanitarian. Known for her edgy roles and global advocacy.
• Family: Mother of six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.
• Humanitarian Work: Served as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for many years, focusing on conservation, education, and women's rights.

The True Story: The Locket, Not the Vial

The media frenzy surrounding the "blood necklaces" began shortly after Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie married in a spontaneous Las Vegas ceremony in May 2000. The couple met on the set of the film *Pushing Tin* in 1999 and quickly became known for their public displays of affection (PDA) and unconventional style, which included matching tattoos and intense interviews. The necklaces, however, became the defining, most bizarre detail of their relationship.

1. The Media Blew It Out of Proportion

Billy Bob Thornton recently—years after their divorce—clarified the truth, stating that the whole narrative was wildly sensationalized. He explained that the "vials" of blood that the press claimed they wore never actually existed. The reality was far less dramatic and gothic than the public imagined.

2. It Was a Simple Romantic Locket

Thornton confirmed that he and Jolie each had a small locket. The lockets contained "a little drop of blood" from the other person. The idea was a simple, romantic notion, akin to wearing a piece of hair or a photograph, to keep a piece of their partner with them while they were apart.

3. The Inspiration Came From a Simple Marker

The actor explained that the idea came about because they were often separated by their demanding filming schedules. Angelina Jolie reportedly suggested that they just take a small razor blade and make a little cut, smear some blood on their finger, and put it in the locket. It was an impulsive, last-minute decision, not a dramatic, scripted ritual.

4. A "Romantic Gesture" Misunderstood

Thornton has consistently described the act as a "romantic gesture" that was completely misunderstood by the media. He noted that the press took the story and inflated it into a narrative of two strange, dark people wearing medical-grade vials of blood, turning a sentimental act into a gothic spectacle. This clarification provides a fresh perspective, recasting the infamous accessory from a morbid oddity to a symbol of intense, youthful love.

5. The Marriage Ended Due to Lifestyle Differences

While the blood lockets did not cause the split, the marriage ended in 2003 due to fundamental lifestyle differences. During their marriage, Jolie began her humanitarian work and adopted her first child, Maddox, from Cambodia. Thornton later admitted that he was not ready for the kind of family life and global commitments that Jolie was embracing. He preferred a quieter, home-focused life, leading to an amicable divorce.

Where Are Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie Now?

Both stars have moved on to new chapters in their lives, maintaining respect for one another, even decades later.

Billy Bob Thornton's Current Life

Billy Bob Thornton is currently married to Connie Angland, a former makeup effects crew member, whom he wed in 2014 after over a decade together. They share a daughter, Bella. Thornton has spoken about his current marriage being his most stable and fulfilling, attributing his contentment to finding a partner who shares his preference for a quiet, low-key life. Professionally, he continues to act, with recent projects including the TV series *Landman*.

Angelina Jolie's Current Life and Projects

Angelina Jolie has cemented her status as a global humanitarian and filmmaker. She is a dedicated mother to her six children, who are frequently seen with her at public events and film premieres. Her focus on social justice and human rights remains central to her public identity. On the career front, she continues to take on major acting roles, recently returning to the action genre with films like *Sunny* and working on new adaptations like the novel *Anxious People*. The legacy of the "blood vial" necklaces remains a fascinating footnote in celebrity history, but thanks to Billy Bob Thornton’s recent candor, the narrative has shifted. What was once seen as a dark, bizarre obsession is now understood as a simple, highly romantic, and ultimately misunderstood gesture of two people deeply in love.