Angelina Jolie says she's feeling more like her old self again — and she attributes it largely to her divorce from Brad Pitt.
In an interview with Variety, the actress revealed her "fighting spirit" is back, something she says had been "lost for a bit."
She added, "I kind of got taken down a little."
While Jolie didn't directly mention Pitt or their marriage, the timing and context make the connection clear after their tumultuous relationship and lengthy divorce proceedings.
The 49-year-old credited her children for helping her regain her confidence, saying they've been "encouraging" her to get her groove back.
She also made a pointed remark about her kids, stating, "They know me more than anybody, and they still like me, which says a lot."
Part of the couple's messy split involved the children becoming estranged from Pitt, with some dropping his last name.
Earlier this month, their daughter Zahara filed a petition to legally change her name to "Zahara Marley Jolie."
Jolie explained that she returned to acting after the separation because her humanitarian work during the marriage kept her away from the kids for too long.
Acting gigs allowed her to spend more time with them — and she missed the big paydays.
After more than eight years, Pitt and Jolie finally finalized their divorce earlier this year, according to TMZ.
Now, with the divorce behind her, Jolie says she's ready to move forward with renewed energy.
