Angelina was born in LA in 1976. She loved movies and started acting classes to follow her dream of movie stardom. She was rebellious and became a punk with dyed purple hair and tattoos. Her movie career took off in 1997 and within a few years she had won an Oscar. Her 2001 role as Lara Croft in the blockbuster “Tomb Raider” shot her to international fame.

Angelina hasn’t limited her career to acting. She became involved in humanitarian work while filming in Cambodia. She is now a UN Goodwill Ambassador, visiting refugee camps in poor countries. She donates large sums of money to help the plight of underprivileged people. She has effectively used her stardom to highlight world problems.

Unfortunately, Jolie’s personal life has come to overshadow her other pursuits. The tabloids are obsessed with her relationships, especially the current one with Brad Pitt. The couple is now referred to not as Brad and Angelina but as “Brangelina”. The media seem more caught up with what they eat and drink than the important humanitarian work Angelina continues to do.

Helping other people is what truly motivates Angelina. In 2001, she said: “We cannot close ourselves off…and ignore the fact that millions of people are out there suffering.” In addition to acting awards, she has received wide recognition for her humanitarian work. She became the first winner of the UN’s Citizen of the World Award. It seems likely more accolades will follow.

Activities and a listening for this reading are at www.famouspeoplelessons.com