Angelina Jolie has spoken about raising her children and supporting them, after it emerged that they have decided to drop their father Brad Pitt's surname. The actress, 51, and former husband Brad, 62, welcomed daughter Shiloh, 20, as well as twins Knox and Vivienne, 18, before adopting Maddox, 25, Pax, 22, and Zahara, 21.
In recent years, Brad's children have distanced themselves from the Hollywood actor, with all of his children, apart from Pax and Knox, filing legal paperwork to drop Pitt from their names. Vivienne is the latest of his children to decide to cut his name from her life.
Jolie on family bond and independence
In a new interview, Angelina shared insight into her parenting, saying that her children "know all sides" of the legendary star and know her "pretty well". Speaking to L'Officiel USA, she reflected on Pax and Maddox working as assistant directors on her Hollywood films. "Obviously, it's nice for me to be around them, but I am just Mom, wanting to be around her family," she said.
Angelina went on to say that her children are "definitely individuals", which makes her "very proud," adding: "Because one of the most important things, I think, is to basically not get in their way." The Maleficent actress continued: "As a parent, you try to do many things, but you also try to not get in the way of this human being who has a life separate from yours and so much potential in their own mind. You want to make sure that you support them."
Vivienne's name change filing
Just weeks ago, Brad suffered further humiliation when Vivienne placed a newspaper notice, publicly stating that she no longer wished to have Pitt in her surname. She filed to change her name to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie. Sharing the notice in a public newspaper is standard practise when changing a name, to ensure the courts approve the deed.
The notice was published in The Los Angeles Journal once a week for four weeks between July and August. Should anybody oppose the name change, they must write to the court before November 2, when a final hearing will be held. Should there be no objections, the judge will ultimately approve the name change. In the filings, Vivienne cited her reasons to change her name as "personal". In the past, she has used the name Vivienne Jolie, including on the bill for her 2024 Broadway production of The Outsiders.
Other children's name changes
Her brother, Knox, also used the name Jolie on his diploma from Fusion Academy. Zahara and Maddox also took out notices in the Los Angeles Journal to change their names. During her university commencement in May, Zahara was referred to as Zahara Marley Jolie. Shiloh petitioned to change her name in 2024 after turning 18. At the time, her legal representative, Peter Levine, said that she had "made an independent and significant decision following painful events." Pax hasn't changed his name, although his relationship with Brad is strained, previously branding his father a "world-class a**hole."
Brad and Angelina started dating in 2004 and instantly became one of Hollywood's biggest couples, before tying the knot a decade later. However, they filed for divorce in 2016 following allegations of abuse, which Brad has strongly denied. The Los Angeles Department of Family Services cleared him of any wrongdoing. The Mirror has approached Brad's spokesperson for comment.
