The ongoing changes within Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s family have once again attracted public attention after reports revealed that two of their children have taken additional steps to distance themselves from their father’s surname. According to newly published legal notices, daughter Zahara and eldest son Maddox have each made moves that reflect their desire to use the surname “Jolie” instead of “Jolie-Pitt.” The developments come after years of highly publicized legal disputes between the former Hollywood couple and continue a pattern that has emerged among several of their children.
Although family name changes are personal decisions, the latest updates have sparked renewed discussion about the relationship between Brad Pitt and his children following the couple’s lengthy separation and divorce proceedings.
Public Notices Reveal the Next Step
Legal notices published in the Los Angeles Times revealed that Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt each filed paperwork indicating their intention to remove “Pitt” from their legal names. Publishing such notices is part of California’s legal process for certain name changes, informing the public before a court finalizes the request. While Zahara has previously introduced herself publicly as “Zahara Marley Jolie,” the newly published notice represents another official step toward making that change permanent. Similarly, Maddox has reportedly used “Jolie” in some personal and professional settings for years, making the legal filing consistent with how he has already chosen to identify himself.
A Growing Family Trend
The latest filings are part of a broader pattern involving several of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six children. Their daughter Shiloh legally changed her name after turning 18, officially dropping “Pitt” from her surname following a court-approved request. Vivienne also attracted attention last year when she was credited simply as “Vivienne Jolie” while working alongside her mother on the Broadway production of The Outsiders. Although there has been no confirmation that Vivienne has legally changed her name, the professional credit prompted speculation that she, too, prefers using only her mother’s surname. Together, these developments suggest that multiple members of the family have chosen to identify publicly as “Jolie” rather than “Jolie-Pitt.”
The Family’s Long-Running Legal Battle
Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016 following an incident aboard a private flight that received widespread media attention. Although the couple was declared legally single several years later, legal disputes involving property, business interests, and family matters continued for years afterward. The former spouses have also been involved in a prolonged disagreement over Château Miraval, the French winery they once jointly owned. Court proceedings related to that business remain ongoing, making their separation one of Hollywood’s longest-running legal battles. Throughout the years, both actors have generally avoided publicly discussing details of their relationships with their children, choosing instead to address family matters primarily through legal representatives.
Children Continue Building Independent Lives
Despite the intense public interest surrounding their famous parents, Angelina and Brad’s children have increasingly pursued their own paths. Maddox has focused on higher education and international interests while occasionally assisting his mother on film projects behind the scenes. Zahara has become known for her academic achievements after enrolling at Spelman College, where she has participated in student organizations and public events. Meanwhile, Shiloh, Knox, Vivienne, and Pax have each maintained relatively private lives while occasionally appearing alongside Angelina at movie premieres, humanitarian events, or other public appearances. As they have grown older, the siblings have gradually made more independent decisions regarding their personal identities and public lives.
Looking Ahead
The latest legal filings involving Zahara and Maddox represent another chapter in the evolving story of one of Hollywood’s most closely followed families. While the decisions regarding their surnames are ultimately personal, they have naturally attracted significant public interest because of the long history between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Neither actor has publicly commented on the newest filings, and the family continues to maintain much of its private life away from public view. As the legal process moves forward, the changes reflect the growing independence of Angelina and Brad’s adult children as they establish identities of their own. Whether pursuing education, careers, or personal goals, each has increasingly chosen to define themselves on their own terms while navigating life under the spotlight that has followed their family for many years.
