Angelina Jolie says she puts her 6 children 'first'... as ex Brad Pitt has not been photographed with the kids in over 8 YEARS

Angelina Jolie was overwhelmed by the 'beautiful feeling' of putting her children first in life.

The mother-of-six Maleficent actress, 49, has sons Maddox, 23, and Pax, 20, as well as daughters Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt , 60.

She has now opened up about coming second compared to her kids.

The single mom told CR Fashion Book about the lessons she has learned from being a parent: 'There are too many to count or name just one. But the moment you become a parent you are never first again.

'Your life is for another. It's a beautiful feeling.'

Pitt has not been photographed with his six children in over eight years.

Her remarks come as she and Brad continue to battle over the sale of her chunk of the French vineyard where they got married in 2014.

The pair's relationship came to an end when Jolie filed for divorce on September 20, 2016.

While Brad, 60, had originally sought a 50/50 arrangement relating to their six kids , an insider said in March that he is no longer contesting the matter.

That means that Angelina, 49, will retain primary physical custody of the children and he will have visitation rights.

Pitt has spent time with the kids, he has just not been photographed with them.

She has previously told WSJ. Magazine about her huge bond with her kids: 'They are the closest people to me and my life, and they're my close friends.

'We're seven very different people, which is our strength.'

Angelina also discussed managing her fashion brand Atelier Jolie and her role as opera singer Maria Callas in the upcoming film Maria.

She said about spending months training to sing for the movie: '(Director) Pablo (Larraín) expected me to learn, to really sing... to understand and study opera, to immerse completely and do the work.

'But it was much more than that, it was to understand Maria Callas and be able to play the character.'

Angelina said the training was an 'emotional' experience and was like 'therapy' she didn't realize she needed.

She added: 'I had no idea how much I was holding in and not letting out.

'So, the challenge wasn't the technical, it was an emotional experience to find my voice, to be in my body, to express.

'You have to give every single part of yourself... everything that you've got.'

Jolie also said she believes dressing 'for oneself' is a 'useful rebellion'.

The Salt actress - who has her own fashion brand and creative space, Atelier Jolie - doesn't want to 'follow' trends and be told how she should dress as style should be a form of personal expression.

She told CR Fashion Book: 'Over the years, I've seen fashion dictated by trends and anointed arbiters of taste. But to look inward and dress for oneself—to truly express oneself with creativity and resourcefulness—is a useful rebellion in this modern age.

'The modular Atelier Jolie suit seen in this issue, which is made from deadstock [fabric], is a collection staple, and includes interchangeable collars. It was made to be personalised; for a new look there can be new parts added or adjusted, instead of purchasing a new suit or new dress.'

And asked if she still feels punk, she added: 'If punk means not to follow, but to question, then I suppose I do. The resistance to being told how to think, dress or feel is important to me.'

The Los Angeles native established Atelier Jolie to 'honor individuality'.

Asked how she envisaged the brand blurring the lines between designer label and creative collective, she replied: 'It doesn't feel at all like blurring so much as honouring individuality and celebrating the spirit of personal expression.

'I have always loved making and designing alongside the brilliant tailors, costume designers, and pattern makers I've had the privilege of encountering over my career.

'I wanted to build a collective with artists and designers who inspire me and are creating in a way that challenges overconsumption.

'Simon Ungless is a beautiful example of this; he has joined us in the atelier to share his craft and designs with our guests and has even printed on some of the pieces I've designed while he was teaching.'