Why it’s not easy being Jennifer Aniston – with high-profile divorces from Hollywood hunks & rumors over being childless

JENNIFER Aniston has been America’s sweetheart since rising to fame on the popular sitcom Friends in the 90s.

The A-list actress, who has starred in multiple blockbuster hits, is constantly referred to as the girl next door, despite being named the World’s Most Beautiful Woman – twice.

Actress Jennifer Aniston accepts a People’s Choice Icon award in 2019 for her achievements in the film and television worldCredit: Getty – Contributor

At the 2002 Emmy awards with her fellow Friends cast members, many of whom remain some of the A-list actress’ closest friends in real lifeCredit: AP

Not to mention a $21 million Bel Air mansion where she lets her hair down.

And speaking of hair, Jen’s locks are just as recognizable as she is.

Her now famous “Rachel cut,” named after her Friends character Rachel Green, has been copied by women around the world.

The 54-year-old has appeared in numerous shampoo commercials even founded her own haircare line called Lolavie two years ago.

Jennifer’s social media pages also serve as a love letter to the important people in her life, with many images on her Instagram showing the star enjoying trips with friends and paying tribute to them.

“She’s been my friend and my family for nearly 30 incredible years. I cherish you, I love you, my sweet Floosh,” she posted about Lisa Kudrow to mark her former co-star’s birthday.

But real life for the star of Apple TV’s Morning Show, where she appears alongside Reese Witherspoon, hasn’t been as plain sailing as some might imagine.

While she appears to have it all, the actress has also had her share of heartbreak – and been subject to countless speculation over her changing looks and reasons for remaining childless.

TWO HOLLYWOOD DIVORCES

Many fans were distraught after learning of Jen’s divorce from the ultimate Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt.

Not even fame and fortune could save their ill-fated romance.

After seven years together, the pair called it splits just days after spending New Years together in Anguilla in 2005.

The famous couple decided to go their separate ways, emphasizing that their failed union had nothing to do with the stories that were circulating at the time.

Fans were devastated when ‘it’ couple Jennifer Anistion and Brad Pitt called it quits just five years after tying the knotCredit: Getty
Speaking exclusively to People at the time, the two confirmed that they “happily remain committed and caring friends, with great love and admiration for one another.”

Still, that didn’t stop the rumor mill from speculating that the rift had to do with Pitt striking up a romance with his Mr. and Mrs. Smith co-star Angelina Jolie.

Jennifer officially filed for divorce two months after announcing the split, citing irreconcilable differences, with the divorce finalized later that year.

Photos would later surface of Pitt and his new bombshell love interest vacationing together in Kenya with Jolie’s son Maddox.

“The world was shocked, and I was shocked,” she told Variety in 2006.

“When you try to avoid the pain, it creates greater pain.

“I’m a human being, having a human experience in front of the world.

“I wish it weren’t in front of the world. I try really hard to rise above it.”

In 2018, just three years after tying the knot with Justin Theroux, Jen also split from the Iron Man actor.

The two had begun dating in 2011 after working on the film Wanderlust together.

Her second marriage to actor Justin Theroux didn’t give her the happily ever after she had hoped forCredit: Getty – Contributor
Theroux would later ask Aniston to marry him on her 41st birthday and the two married in a secret ceremony at their Bel Air home.

The stars have since remained quiet on the reason for the split.

The former couple are famously friendly, with Theroux even calling Aniston every year on her birthday.

In a WSJ article, Aniston spoke about how she believes her childhood negatively impacted her past involvements.

“It was always a little bit difficult for me in relationships, I think, because I really was kind of alone,” she said.

“I don’t know. My parents, watching my family’s relationship, didn’t make me kind of go, ‘Oh, I can’t wait to do that.’

“I didn’t like the idea of sacrificing who you were or what you needed, so I didn’t really know how to do that.

“So it was almost easier to just be kind of solo. I didn’t have any real training in that give-and-take.”

Jennifer’s parents were the late Jonn Aniston and Nancy Dow, both of whom were also well-known actors.

‘CHOOSING’ TO BE CHILDLESS

For years, Aniston was trolled for never becoming a mother, especially during her marriage to Brad Pitt.

The actress and producer was continuously shamed, with ongoing rumors running rampant about whether she would ever have children.

The story being sold was that she was focused solely – and selfishly – on her career, as she recalled to Time.

Jennifer has long endured speculation and gossip about why she has never had childrenCredit: Getty

The rumor mill went wild after ex Brad Pitt moved on and had children with his wife at the time, Angelina JolieCredit: Getty
“This continually is said about me: that I was so career-driven and focused on myself.

“That I don’t want to be a mother, and how selfish that is. Even saying it gets me a little tight in my throat.”

Things only got worse when Pitt, who moved on with now ex-wife Angelina Jolie, went onto have children of his own.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Aniston got candid about how the pregnancy gossip used to take a toll on her.

The Leprechaun star with her former Friends castmate and close friend, Courteney Cox, who regularly makes appearances on the star’s social media pagesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“You have no clue what’s going with me personally, medically, why I can’t, can I have kids?

“They don’t know anything, and it was really hurtful and just nasty.”

After years of trying to keep her private life to herself, Jen decided to share her personal journey and set the record straight in 2022.

“I was trying to get pregnant,” the actress told Allure.

“It was a challenging road for me, the baby-making road.”

She also recently revealed that Adam Sandler, her former Just Go With It co-star, sends her flowers every Mother’s Day.

BEING LABELED A ‘NEPO BABY’

After blasting influencers for finding fame through today’s internet culture, the internet came for her.

“You’re famous from TikTok. You’re famous from YouTube. You’re famous from Instagram,” she told Variety.

“It’s sort of almost like it’s diluting our actor’s job.”

As the daughter of two actors, people were quick to point out that Jen had no right to talk.

Jennifer embraces Emma Stone on an awards show red carpetCredit: Getty

People came after the star for her views on those who rose to influencer fame – with many pointing out that she owes her nepo baby status to becoming a superstarCredit: Getty
They believe she had achieved her own success through nothing more than her famous last name.

“Jennifer Aniston is a nepo baby with two actor parents and had access to an expensive education,” said one such X user who didn’t appreciate the star’s comments.

“Jennifer Aniston is a dilution of the actor, and is mad that these platforms give people who aren’t nepo babies access to the spotlight,” wrote another.

“How many days in a row do we have to hear from senior nepo baby Jennifer Aniston?” another fed up viewer agreed.

The conversation became even more of a hot topic with the release of the New York Magazine cover story highlighting nepo baby culture.

Both of Jen’s parents were well-known actorsCredit: Getty
In addition to having two famous parents, her godfather was Kojak actor Telly Savalas, a close friend of her father’s.

“My mom and I were talking about @NYMag’s cover of Nepo-babies and she said, ‘Jennifer Aniston is a nepo baby and she has no talent!’ mom. lol. she’s right though,” another X user wrote.

PLASTIC SURGERY RUMORS

Growing up in the public eye has led some eagle eyes to pounce on any aesthetic changes they notice on the star.

During her time on Friends, Jen and her co-stars were constantly defending themselves from body shamers.

And things haven’t changed, especially as the currently single actress continues to age.

According to the New York Post, the Hollywood star left fans in shock after watching the latest season of The Morning Show.

Fans were shocked to see recent images of the Morning Show star, with many believing she had undergone plastic surgeryCredit: Getty
Many speculated that the star had gotten plastic surgery – and they didn’t think her new face was doing her any favors.

“I’m watching the new season of The Morning Show and I can’t get past Jennifer Aniston’s face! What did she do? Made it almost unrecognizable & weird,” wrote one confused X user.

“She looks like a freak, I can’t watch her anymore and I used to love Jennifer Aniston. Getting work done and messing up your face are not the same thing,” another disappointed user agreed.

Dr. Sam Rizk spoke to paper about what kinds of procedures he believes she had done.

She has previously admitted to a going under the knifeCredit: Getty
“She definitely had surgery,” the doctor claimed.

“The type that improved her cheeks, jowls, and neck. And her eyes look refreshed, and that’s more than Botox.”

He also said he believes that Aniston had a “deep plane facelift.”

Aniston has admitted to going under the knife in the past.

Back in 2007, she told People how a nose job helped her sleep again.

“It’s funny. I had [a deviated septum] fixed – best thing I ever did. I slept like a baby for the first time in years. As far as all the other [rumors], as boring as it sounds, it’s still mine. All of it. Still mine.”

Eleven years later, in 2018, the actress underwent a second surgery to fix the previous procedure.

Still, the rumors are nothing new for the Rumor Has It star, who has been accused of having a range of appearance-altering surgeries.

The actress and producer poses with her star on the Hollywood Walk of FameCredit: Getty
During a 2006 interview with Oprah, Jennifer confirmed that she never had a breast augmentation.

“No boob job! You know what it’s called? It’s called ten pounds. Here’s what it is — this is the funny thing — you’re either, ‘oh, look at the bump,’ or ‘the pregnant’.

“And they circle the bump and there’s an arrow. But instead it’s like, you know, maybe a couple cheese plates too many,” she joked at the time.

She also shared her thoughts on aging gracefully in the 2014 edition of Harper’s Bazaar Australia.

Voted Most Beautiful Woman in the World – twice – Jennifer believes in aging gracefullyCredit: Getty
“I am fortunate enough to know women like Gloria Steinem, who I think is one of the most stunning women on the planet, and doesn’t touch her face.

“Diane Keaton, Annette Bening, all of these fabulous fearless women who are flawless, they embrace it!

“You know, to each their own; I don’t judge it if you do it, but sometimes I wish I could beg the people I know, who I am very near and dear to, to not touch their face.”

“I believe in ‘no-tox.’ It absolutely distorts peoples faces and you end up actually having the opposite effect,” the star previously told InStyle.

“You look older, in my opinion, when you can’t move and don’t let your natural expressions have their way.”

COMMENTS ON AGING

Yes, Jennifer is 54 – and she knows it.

She once told British Vogue about the backhanded compliment that “drives her bananas.”

“That’s a habit of society that we have these markers like, ‘Well, you’re at that stage, so ‘for your age.’ I don’t even understand what it means.”

She says her frustration is increased as she feels better than ever.

“I’m in better shape than I was in my 20s. I feel better in mind, body, and spirit. It’s all 100 per cent better,” she told the publication.

Jen, who says she feels better than ever at 54, stuns in a teeny tiny bikini while vacationing with palsCredit: Corbis

The Golden Globe winner poses with another superstar, Selena GomezCredit: Getty
In an Instagram video earlier this year, she even gave fans a peek of some gray hair peek through her usually colored tresses.

“You are so beautiful with your gray hair,” one impressed user wrote.

“Jennifer you are so gorgeous with and without grey. Natural beauty,” another agreed.

Speaking to Glamour, the then 48-year-old star also hit back at Hollywood for limiting women’s roles once they reach a certain age

“I don’t think life stops after 50 – if anything, it gets more and more exciting. For some reason, we don’t honor or pay respect to aging.”

She added: “Right now, women’s worth is being quantified by how they look and their Instagrams and likes.”

Despite a successful career and glam red carpet looks, Jennifer has been trolled for rumors surrounding her family lifeCredit: Getty

She shared how Adam Sandler sends her flowers every Mother’s Day following her struggle to have children of her ownCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The TV and film icon has battled plastic surgery speculation since her days on the sitcom FriendsCredit: Splash News

Many of her hardest moments have been played out on a public stageCredit: AP:Associated Press

Jennifer spoke out for the first time about her not being able to become a motherCredit: Getty

On the set of her Apple TV show The Morning Show with co-star Reese WitherspoonCredit: Apple TV

America’s sweetheart with her late co-star Matthew PerryCredit: Getty

Jennifer’s hair do on Friends, dubbed ‘the Rachel’ became a global phenomenonCredit: Getty