Angelina Jolie following Princess Diana Example

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Whilst it may take a ruthless streak to become a top actress, a stunning model and an all round top female celebrity, Angelina Jolie has shown the world that she has a very caring side to her as well.

Speaking today, Angelina Jolie claimed she was inspired by the late Princess Diana to help out where she can and devote her time to charity work.

This announcement comes after a memorial concert was held for the Queen of Hearts in London last weekend.  World renowned acts such as Elton John, Duran Duran and Rod Stewart played at the event to show their respects for Princess Diana.

Angelina Jolie’s interest developed greatly when she was playing the role of Lara Croft in the blockbuster movie Tomb Raider.  Filming in Cambodia, Angelina Jolie saw a world completely different to the one she was used to.

Seeing the locals living poverty prompted Angelina to get in touch with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to best find out how she could help. 

In February 2001 she went on her first official charity mission, spending over two weeks visiting refugee camps in Sierra Leone and Tanzania.  That same year she donated money as well as time including a one off $1million dollar cheque to help Afghan refugees in Pakistan.  In August of 2001 she was officially appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by the UN.  Two years later, Angelina won the first Citizen of the World award, a scheme run by the UN, for her significant contribution to the underprivileged.

In 2006 Angelina Jolie was included in Time’s list of the world’s 100 most influential people.

After a failed marriage with Billy Bob Thornton, Angelina Jolie is famously married to fellow movie star Brad Pitt.  Together the couple have had one child whilst they have also adopted three others.