Brad Pitt's youngest daughter, Vivienne, has legally filed to remove 'Pitt' from her surname, becoming the fourth of his six children to formally distance themselves from his name. The 18-year-old filed court papers listing the reason as 'personal', with a hearing scheduled for November.
Pattern of Name Changes
Vivienne follows siblings Shiloh, Zahara, and Maddox in dropping Pitt from their surnames. Shiloh filed on her 18th birthday in 2024 to become Shiloh Jolie. A source told People Pitt was 'aware and upset' by the decision, adding: 'He's never felt more joy than when she was born. He always wanted a daughter.' The source added: 'The reminders that he's lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It's very sad.'
Adopted siblings Zahara, 21, and Maddox, 24, also began the legal process earlier this year, publishing notices of their intentions in the Los Angeles Daily Journal as required under California law. Court hearings are expected in September. Both had already publicly used Jolie instead of Jolie-Pitt: Zahara introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie when joining a sorority in 2023 and at her graduation this year; Maddox was credited as Maddox Jolie on Angelina Jolie's recent film Couture.
Background of the Rift
The family's estrangement stems from a 2016 private plane journey from France to California, after which Angelina Jolie filed for divorce. Jolie accused Pitt of being drunk and aggressive, claiming he grabbed her head, injured her back and elbow, choked one child, and struck another. An FBI investigation was closed with no charges. Pitt has always denied all claims, with his lawyer stating: 'Brad has owned everything he's responsible for from day one – unlike the other side – but he's not going to own anything he didn't do.'
In 2022, a source told People Pitt hoped to improve his relationship with his children, which had been 'in a bad situation for years.' The insider said: 'Since Angelina filed for divorce, Brad has been focused on having the best relationship possible with his kids. It's been very difficult for him. Many times, there have been long gaps where he didn't see the kids at all.'
Legal and Public Disputes
The former couple have been locked in a lengthy legal battle over Château Miraval winery. In October 2021, Jolie sold her half for $67 million after Pitt's buyout fell through. Pitt sued in 2022, claiming violation of an agreement not to sell without mutual approval. Jolie countersued, accusing Pitt of 'waging a vindictive war' and attempting to take control. She also claimed Pitt tried to condition the sale on her signing a non-disclosure agreement that would prohibit speaking about his alleged abuse.
In 2020, Pax, then 16, posted a scathing Father's Day message calling Pitt a 'world-class a**hole' and stating his younger siblings 'tremble in fear when in your presence.' People in Pitt's inner circle branded the allegations a 'depressing smear'.
