Angelina Jolie has praised Billy Bob Thornton for "giving her the confidence to succeed in her career and in her personal life".

The 36-year-old actress wrote the foreword for her ex husband's upcoming memoir 'The Billy Bob Tapes: A Cave Full of Ghosts' and friends who have seen a copy of it revealed Angelina thanked her former love for all of his support.

A source told In Touch magazine: "She praises him for giving her the confidence to succeed in her career and in her personal life. Her words are lovely. She truly speaks from the heart."

Angelina - who raises six children with partner Brad Pitt - and Billy Bob have remained on good terms since their divorce in 2003 and he has previously spoken of his pride in his former wife after she directed her first movie 'In The Land Of Blood And Honey'.

He said: "We talk every now and then, she seems to be doing very well directing her own movie, which I am so proud of her for. I always thought she should do that, writing and directing. She's real smart, and very creative, and I think it's a great job for her.