The Jolie-Pitt Brood: A Look at Brad and Angelina’s Six Children
The offspring of Hollywood’s most celebrated power couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, have long been a subject of intense public fascination. From their blended family of three adopted and three biological children, the Jolie-Pitt brood has navigated the spotlight from birth. With the youngest members of their family on the cusp of adulthood, it’s a pertinent time to explore what we know about Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, Pax, Vivienne, and Knox.
Maddox Jolie-Pitt: The Eldest Son
Maddox Jolie-Pitt was the first child adopted by Angelina Jolie, joining the family in 2002 from a Cambodian orphanage when he was just seven months old. Jolie had initially begun the adoption process while married to her second husband, Billy Bob Thornton, but ultimately completed it as a single parent. She first encountered Maddox during filming in Cambodia for Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Brad Pitt legally adopted Maddox in 2006, and his surname was officially changed to Jolie-Pitt.
Rumours of a strained relationship between Maddox and Pitt emerged following an alleged altercation on a private plane in 2016, which preceded Jolie’s divorce filing. Maddox has shown an early interest in the film industry, appearing as a zombie in his father’s 2013 film World War Z. By the age of 15, he stepped into the role of executive producer for a film adaptation of a book detailing the Cambodian genocide, a project his mother, Angelina Jolie, co-wrote and directed.
In 2019, Maddox relocated to South Korea to pursue his higher education, studying biochemistry at Yonsei University in Seoul. When questioned by paparazzi about a potential visit from his father, Maddox offered a reserved response. During a 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jolie revealed that Maddox, much like his mother, is a qualified pilot. He has also followed in his mother’s footsteps by engaging with politics, attending a state dinner in South Korea in April 2023 alongside US President Joe Biden. More recently, in 2024, Maddox returned to filmmaking, serving as an assistant director on Maria, a film starring his mother as opera singer Maria Callas, and is also listed as a third assistant director on her upcoming 2025 film, Couture.
Zahara Jolie-Pitt: A Budding Philanthropist
Angelina Jolie adopted Zahara from an Ethiopian orphanage in 2005, when the infant was seven months old. Jolie has shared that Maddox expressed a desire for an African sibling, and it was during a visit to an orphanage with him that she discovered Zahara. Brad Pitt officially adopted Zahara alongside Maddox in January 2006. Zahara’s birth mother reportedly abandoned her due to health issues in infancy, challenges that resurfaced later. In a 2020 essay for TIME, Jolie revealed that two of her daughters faced “medical challenges,” and she underwent surgeries with her eldest daughter over a two-month period. Pitt reportedly missed the BAFTAs that year to be with his daughter.
In 2022, Zahara commenced her studies at the prestigious Spelman College in Atlanta, an “historically Black liberal arts college for women.” Jolie proudly announced her daughter’s enrolment on social media, calling it a “very special place.” Zahara lent her voice to the character Meng Meng in the 2016 animated film Kung Fu Panda 3, which also featured her mother’s voice as Tigress. At 14, she collaborated with jeweller Robert Procop to launch the Zahara Collection jewellery line, wearing pieces from the collection at the premiere of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. Proceeds from the collection benefited shelters for victims of domestic violence. In December 2022, she accompanied her mother to Washington D.C. to advocate for crime victims. The previous year, she joined Jolie in discussions to support the Violence Against Women Act.
Pitt last publicly addressed Zahara in August 2022, expressing pride in her academic pursuits, stating, “I’m so proud of her. She’s so smart. She’s going to flourish even more at college.” However, the fallout from her parents’ divorce has evidently impacted her relationship with her father. In November 2023, a video surfaced showing Zahara’s induction into the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College, where she introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie.” The two are now reportedly estranged.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt: Embracing Individuality
Shiloh, the first of Brad and Angelina’s biological children, was born in Namibia in May 2006. Her birth garnered significant international attention, and the first photographs of her were reportedly purchased by People magazine for approximately AU $5.8 million, making her the first infant to be immortalised by Madame Tussauds. Angelina Jolie’s early comments about Shiloh, describing her as a “blob” and expressing a stronger maternal connection to her adopted children who had overcome obstacles, also made headlines.
Shiloh made a brief appearance as a baby in her father’s 2008 film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She was later offered a role as a young Aurora in her mother’s 2014 film Maleficent but declined, with Jolie recounting that Shiloh “laughed in my face” and stated she would prefer to play a “horned creature.” Shiloh did, however, lend her voice to the character Shuai Shuai in Kung Fu Panda 3.
As Shiloh grew, public interest intensified, particularly when photos emerged of her in “boys’ clothing” with a short haircut. Her parents addressed these observations, with Jolie telling Vanity Fair in 2010 that Shiloh “wanted to be a boy” from a young age and preferred wearing “boys’ everything,” feeling like “one of the brothers.” Pitt had previously told Oprah in 2008 that Shiloh only wanted to be called “John” or “Peter.” In March 2020, Jolie shared in her TIME piece that Shiloh had undergone “hip surgery.” This did not, however, hinder her passions. In 2022, the then 16-year-old gained attention for her dancing, appearing in videos filmed at the Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. A video of Shiloh dancing to Doja Cat’s “Vegas” went viral. Pitt became emotional when asked about her dance skills by Entertainment Tonight, describing them as beautiful and admitting he didn’t know where she got her talent from, given his own lack of dancing ability.
Despite this apparent pride, Shiloh and her father appear to be estranged. It was revealed that Shiloh filed a petition with an L.A. court to drop Pitt from her surname upon turning 18 in May 2024, a change officially approved later that year. This move reportedly left Pitt heartbroken, with sources close to him expressing that the reminders of his lost connection with his children are difficult. He was also reportedly saddened that this estrangement extended to his parents, including his late mother, Jane, who passed away in 2025 without having seen her grandchildren for a decade.
Pax Jolie-Pitt: A Creative Spirit with Strong Opinions
Pax was born in Vietnam in 2003 and spent his early years in an orphanage outside Ho Chi Minh City. Due to Vietnamese regulations at the time, which did not favour unmarried couples adopting, Jolie adopted him as a single parent in 2007, with Pitt formally adopting him a year later. Jolie described Pax as a “tough, remarkable little person,” who, after enduring years in an orphanage with limited freedom, thrived in a new environment with siblings and parents, embracing his newfound liberty and learning English.
Jolie has mentioned that the family makes it a point to visit their children’s birthplaces, with Vietnam being a planned destination in 2011. Similar to Maddox, Pax has shown an interest in his parents’ careers, making a cameo in Jolie’s 2014 film Maleficent and voicing the character Yoo in Kung Fu Panda 3. He also contributed as a still photographer on First They Killed My Father and as a production assistant on Maria. However, Jolie indicated to BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour that Pax is more inclined towards a career in music, noting his passion for deejaying.
Pax has been notably vocal about the fractured relationships within the family. In 2020, he posted a scathing message on Instagram for Father’s Day, referring to his father as a “world-class a—hole” and a “despicable human being.” He expressed that Pitt repeatedly proved himself to be terrible and lacked consideration or empathy for his four youngest children, who he claimed “tremble in fear when in your presence.” Pax stated that his father would never understand the damage he had caused because he was incapable of doing so.
In July 2024, Pax was hospitalised following an e-bike accident in Los Angeles. Reports indicated he was not wearing a helmet and was treated for a head injury and hip pain. A source later told People that he was in intensive care and that Jolie was “deeply grateful for the quick and life-saving action of first responders, and the outstanding medical care he received” for “complex trauma.” While his mother and siblings were present, a source indicated that Pitt was “getting updates” on Pax’s condition, despite their estrangement. The source added that while Pitt “hasn’t had any contact with Pax in years, but he still very much cares.” In 2024, Jolie spoke about working with Pax on Maria, noting his skill in stills photography. In January 2026, Pax made a surprise appearance at the Sundance Film Festival, potentially signalling a renewed interest in his career.
Vivienne and Knox Jolie-Pitt: The Youngest Twins
Vivienne and her twin brother Knox were born in Nice, France, in 2008. The initial photographs of the twins were reportedly sold for approximately AU $20 million, with the proceeds donated to the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, making them the most expensive celebrity photos ever taken. Vivienne made her acting debut in 2014, portraying a younger version of Aurora in Maleficent alongside her mother. Jolie explained that Vivienne was cast because other child actors were too frightened of her in character. She also noted Vivienne’s surprising talent and professionalism on set.
Vivienne has accompanied her mother on numerous red carpet appearances, including premieres for Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil, The Eternals, and The Outsiders on Broadway in 2024, a production she helped produce. Her credit as a producer’s assistant on The Outsiders as “Vivienne Jolie” sparked discussion, as did matching “Stay Gold” tattoos she and her mother received in September 2024, honouring their collaborative work.
Knox was born approximately one minute before his twin sister. Like Vivienne, he has one acting credit, voicing the character Ku Ku in Kung Fu Panda 3.
Knox has occasionally appeared on the red carpet with his parents and siblings. He is believed to have minimal contact with his father, and at 17, he and his twin sister remain subject to custody orders. Knox maintains the lowest public profile among the couple’s six children.
Custody and Estrangement: Navigating the Post-Divorce Landscape
Following Jolie’s divorce filing in 2016, she initially sought physical custody of all six children. By late 2018, a shared physical and legal custody arrangement was established. After their divorce was finalised in mid-2019, reports suggested the couple was co-parenting, with Pitt observed visiting Jolie’s home during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, as the children have reached adulthood, they have increasingly asserted their independence. It is widely reported that all but the youngest are now estranged from Pitt.
With Vivienne and Knox turning 18 in July, all custody arrangements are expected to conclude. Reports in February 2026 suggest Jolie is anticipating this change to facilitate her relocation plans. A source told People in 2025 that Jolie “never wanted to live in LA full-time” but felt constrained by the custody arrangements with Brad, planning to move as soon as her youngest children turned 18.
