Angelina Jolie recently spoke about her close relationship with her six children, emphasizing their development as distinct individuals. Her comments come as several of her children have taken legal steps to drop Brad Pitt's surname.
Jolie, in an interview with L'Officiel USA, described her parenting approach as supporting her children's autonomy. "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," she stated. She expressed pride in her children, whom she described as "definitely individuals."
Her children, Maddox, 25, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 18, have increasingly sought to separate their identities from their father. Vivienne was the latest to file legal paperwork to change her surname from Jolie-Pitt to Jolie, citing personal reasons. Similar legal actions have been taken by other children, with the exception of Pax and Knox.
Family Life and Professional Pursuits
Jolie shared insights into her family life, including her sons Maddox and Pax working as assistant directors on her films. "Obviously it’s nice for me to be around them, but I am just Mom, wanting to be around her family," she said.
She also recounted her experiences directing her 2024 film, "Without Blood," in Italy, where her children were also present. "We were in the same place, but everybody had their own separate [living space] so we weren’t living in a family house together. We were living in a dorm-type situation and everybody was exploring Europe, so that was nice," Jolie recalled.
Jolie also touched upon her daughter Zahara's experience at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, a historically Black institution. "I just felt so deeply honored to be a part of it," Jolie said of Zahara joining the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha. "There’s no place that would’ve been better for her - it really transformed her and it’s really a part of our family now."
Reflecting on the Past and Future
Jolie addressed previous comments about refraining from crying in front of her children, clarifying that she does cry, but emotional pain was something she sought to shield them from until her work on the 2024 biopic "Maria." "I don’t think any mother has never cried in front of their kid. If they give me a birthday card, I cry," she said with a laugh.
As her children reach adulthood, Jolie is looking forward to a new phase of life. "I’m not somebody who vacations or shops or things like that. I envision more field work, more travel, and just being out in the world. Get my motorcycle back, get back in a plane," she mused, adding that her children encourage this.
Estrangement and Legal Battles
The estrangement from Pitt has been a recurring theme. A source close to Jolie stated, "If people knew the whole truth, they would have more sympathy for the children and respect them." The source added, "Angie hasn’t been fighting and isn’t angry. She just wants everyone to heal."
Conversely, an insider told the Daily Mail that Pitt "believes Angelina's role in how things unfolded is the ultimate betrayal." The couple's split in 2016 triggered a protracted legal battle over finances and child custody. Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016, following an alleged incident on a private plane involving their son Maddox.
In 2022 court filings, Jolie detailed accusations of Pitt's alleged abusive behavior during the 2016 plane flight. A source close to Pitt responded that the information had been available for years and served no purpose other than being a "media stunt."
Pitt has spoken about his struggles with alcohol, confessing to relapsing after seven years of sobriety. Jolie has also referenced his acknowledged alcohol abuse as a factor influencing her decision to sell her stake in their shared winery, Chateau Miraval, in 2021.
Pitt sued Jolie over the sale of Chateau Miraval, asserting she was contractually obligated to seek his consent. Jolie has urged Pitt to end the legal fight over the winery, hoping for the family's healing.
The public relations surrounding the former couple's children has been a source of ongoing discussion, with Vivienne's surname change being the latest development. Pitt has reportedly not been able to reach his son Pax following a dirt bike accident in July 2024, while Jolie was by Pax's side at the hospital. Pax had previously posted critical remarks about Pitt on social media.