Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton split because he didn't want children, says first wife

Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton split because he didn't want children, says first wife - Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton ended their marriage because he didn’t want children, according to his first wife.

The pair were wed for just three years before divorcing in 2003 - and one of the Bad Santa star’s four wives before Jolie claims his marriage to the Lara Croft star fell apart because he had not desire to expand the family.

Melissa deBin-Parish, who was hitched to Thornton between 1978 and 1980 claims Angelina’s longing for little ones killed the bizarre romance.

Bonded by blood? Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton (pictured in 2001 with vials around their necks) are said to have split because he didn't want children

She told this week’s Star magazine: ‘I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did not want to be around children back then.

‘Look at the timeline: she adopted Maddox and then, [Billy] was gone.’

While Jolie, who is now 36, was eager to expand her brood with her older man, now 56, as soon as they adopted Maddox in March 2002 things apparently went downhill.

Brad Pitt went on to adopt the child when he and the actress began courting.

Growing brood: Brad Pitt went on to adopt Jolie's first son Maddox before adding five more children to their family

His former spouse told the gossip magazine that Billy Bob wanted to remain a free agent and may have even strayed from the beauty during their relationship.

She explained: ‘I think he cheated on his other wives. He had a problem with fidelity. Could you imagine cheating on Angelina?! That would be the dumbest thing in the world. How would he top that?’

In fact the woman – formerly known as Melissa Lee Gatlin – says she was shocked that the beauty even got together with the screenwriter, director and musician.

Despite their penchant for wacky behaviour - which included wearing vials of each other’s blood around their necks – deBin-Parish said she thought with their difference in looks, it was an ‘odd pairing’.

She added: ‘But you just never know with people. I always wondered why they were attracted to each other. Here she is, this stunning woman. The two of them are total opposites. I thought it was baffling.’

‘Maybe it was their creative minds or intelligence. He is very charismatic.'

A different man: Thornton's first wife Melissa deBin-Parish is shocked the pair got together in the first place

This isn’t the first time Billy Bob’s ex has shared her opinions on his future without her.

When he quit his union with his Pushing Tin co-star Jolie, she was very vocal in an interview with Barbara Walters.

She shared that she is no longer in contact with the father of her daughter Amanda Brumfield, claiming he is not the same man.

She told Walters: ‘I thought he was amazing. And, now I just feel like I don't know him… We're not friends.’

On the other hand Angelina is reportedly writing the forward to his memoir, The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts, a move which has left Melissa shocked.

Friends: Jolie wrote the introduction for Billy Bob's new book

‘I’m surprised. I just didn’t think that there was any interaction anymore.

That’s a very big thing to do. I’m glad she did it for him.’

While she clearly doesn’t think much Thornton she spoke nothing but adoringly of Jolie.

‘I heard through the family that Angelina was a very kind person and a wonderful humanitarian. The family never said anything negative about her. I think the biggest bond in his life is theirs.’

In the revealing interview also emerged that Thornton refuses to rekindle his relationship with their 32-year-old offspring, who is currently serving 20 years in a Florida prison for aggravated manslaughter of a minor.

She reminded: ‘My daughter was 18 months old when we split up.’

Estranged: Melissa claims that Billy Bob refuses to speak to his daughter, now 32, who was imprisoned for 20 years after a child died in her care ( dailymail.co.uk )