Business Is Booming
When the couple's Rosé Miraval wine debuted in March, they sold all 6,000 bottles within five hours. Eight months later, Wine Spectator named their fermented grape juice the best rosé in the world.
Knowledge Is Power
In April, Jolie announced that she'd opened an all-girls primary school in Afghanistan. The UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador chose a location near Kabul, where there is a high refugee population and boys' education is typically favored over girls'. She also co-designed a line of jewelry, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to her foundation, The Education Partnership for Children of Conflict.
Bravery Is Beautiful
In a May 14 op-ed for The New York Times, Jolie announced she'd undergone a preventive double mastectomy three months earlier. The actress made the decision to remove both breasts after doctors informed her that she carried BRCA1 gene mutation. "My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer," explained Jolie, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer in 2007. Her actions received support—and criticism—from celebrities and experts alike. The May 27 issue of Time examined the pros and cons of genetic testing.
Red Carpet Return
Weeks after Jolie revealed she'd undergone a preventive double mastectomy, she joined Pitt at the World War Z premiere in London on June 2. Wearing a sleeveless Saint Laurent dress, the mom of six—who had breast reconstruction surgery using implants—looked radiant as ever. "I do not feel any less of a woman," she wrote in her New York Times op-ed. "I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity."
Back From the Dead
Though World War Z was plagued with production problems, audiences flocked to theaters when it premiered on June 21. The zombie flick debuted at No. 2 behind Monsters University, taking in $66.41 million—the largest opening weekend for a film starring Pitt. To date, World War Z has grossed more than $540 million on a $190 million budget.
Are They Married?
While shopping with her children on Sept. 29 in Bondi Beach, Australia, the engaged Unbroken director was seen wearing a new ring on her wedding finger. Pitt's future wife had been wearing the other gold band on her left ring finger since March—but no, they aren't legally wed just yet.
Early Awards Buzz
12 Years a Slave debuted to rave reviews in October. Pitt, who produced the movie, plays a Canadian abolitionist who shows kindness to a free man who's been and sold into slavery. "It's one of those few films that cuts to the base of our humanity," the actor said. "It's why I got into film in the first place." The movie earned seven Independent Spirit Award nominations—more than any other film—and it's likely to be recognized more in 2014.
Welcoming the Uninvited
After Daniel and Abi Lingwood got married at the Stoke Park Hotel in Buckinghamshire, England, they bumped into wedding crasher Pitt at the bar. He obliged the newlyweds by taking a photo. "I actually gasped and said to myself, 'Oh my god, it really is you!' He congratulated us on our wedding said I looked great in my dress, shook our hands and said to pose for a picture. He was very accommodating," the bride told E! News. "Unfortunately I didn't get a kiss from him!"
Moving Towards Moviemaking
Capitalizing on the success of her directorial debut, In the Land of Blood and Honey, Jolie began production on her second film, Unbroken. The movie tells the true-life story of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who joined the air force and was stranded at sea for 47 days. He became a prisoner of war after being captured by the Japanese Navy. Garrett Hedlund was cast to play the leader of the prisoners in the camp where Zamperini was held.
Making History
In July, Pitt and Shia LaBeouf visited the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., to conduct research for their World War II movie, Fury. The former got a shorter 'do for the flick, which also stars Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal, Logan Lerman and Scott Eastwood. The men play American soldiers sent to Nazi Germany in April 1945, when Adolf Hitler's Third Reich was on the verge of collapse.
Disney's Dark Side
In November, the first trailer for Maleficent was unveiled to the public after it debuted at a D23 conference earlier two months prior. Jolie plays the Sleeping Beauty villain opposite Elle Fanning, who portrays Princess Aurora. (Vivienne Jolie-Pitt plays a younger version of the heroine). "I was terrified of her, but I was so drawn to her," Jolie said of her favorite fairy tale villain. "She had this elegance and grace, and yet she was so cruel. Just wonderfully and deliciously cruel."
What an Honor
In November, Jolie was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Pitt and their eldest son, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, suited up to support her at the Governors Awards. Gena Rowland and George Lucas each talked about Jolie's philanthropic contributions, as did stars from her film, In the Land of Blood and Honey. "I will do as my mother asked and I will do the best I can with this life to be of use," the Oscar winner said. "And to stand here today means I did as she asked and if she were alive she'd be very proud, so thank you."
So Happy Together
In December, the family of eight boarded a luxury yacht named "Ghost" in Australia's Sydney Harbor and spent several hours playing in the water and soaking up the sun. Pitt, who had flown in from Los Angeles to reunite with his fiancé and kids, snapped pictures of his loved ones throughout the day.