Billy Bob Thornton split with Jolie as he didn't want kids, says ex-wife

London, Mar 9 (ANI): Billy Bob Thornton's first wife has said that her former husband and Angelina Jolie split because he did not want children.

The pair were married for just three years before divorcing in 2003, and one of Thornton's four wives before Jolie, claims that his marriage to the 'Lara Croft' star fell apart because he had no desire to expand the family.

Melissa deBin-Parish, who was hitched to the 'Monster's Ball' star between 1978 and 1980 claimed that Jolie's longing for little ones killed the romance.

"I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he did not want to be around children back then," the Daily Mail quoted deBin-Parish as telling Star magazine.

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

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.

She said that Thornton wanted to remain a free agent and may have even strayed from the beauty during their relationship.

"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?" she said.

In fact the woman, formerly known as Melissa Lee Gatlin, said that 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".

"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," she added. (ANI)