Angelina Jolie has spoken about her approach to parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing her children to develop as independent individuals. The actress's comments come in the context of several of her children formally changing their surnames to drop Brad Pitt's name, a move described as a "fresh knife-twist" in their estrangement from their father.
Jolie, 51, told L'Officiel USA that her children "know all sides of me" and are "definitely individuals." She stated her belief that a parent's role is to "not get in their way" but to "support them" as they forge lives separate from her own. She noted that it's fulfilling to have her children, including Maddox, 25, and Pax, 22, work as assistant directors on her films, but stressed that her primary feeling is simply being "Mom, wanting to be around her family."
Her children Shiloh, 20, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 18, were biologically conceived, while Maddox, 25, Pax, 22, and Zahara, 21, were adopted. In recent years, Vivienne became the latest to officially file legal paperwork to drop the surname Jolie-Pitt. Jolie also reflected on her emotional expression, clarifying previous remarks by saying she doesn't believe "any mother has never cried in front of their kid." She noted she is "kind of famous for quickly crying" but would typically hide "wailing emotional pain" from her children until her 2024 film Maria.
Jolie described a "wonderful shoot" in Italy for her 2024 war drama Without Blood, where her children were present. While they were not living in the same house, she expressed enjoyment at being near them as they explored Europe.
She also shared her experiences visiting Zahara at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, a historically black college. Jolie expressed feeling "deeply honored" to be part of Zahara's journey, stating the college had "transformed her and it’s really a part of our family now." She was particularly moved when informed of the significance of Zahara becoming a member of the sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, understanding it was a lifelong commitment and an "extraordinary place."
As her children mature, Jolie anticipates transitioning to an "empty nester" phase, looking forward to "more connection and community" and envisioning more fieldwork and travel. She mused about getting back on her motorcycle and plane, suggesting her children would like her to "call them from Tunisia having just landed a plane to meet with local artists."
The estrangement from Brad Pitt has been marked by legal actions, including Vivienne's recent petition to change her surname from Jolie-Pitt to Jolie for "personal" reasons. This follows similar legal steps taken by other children, with a source close to Jolie suggesting that "if people knew the whole truth, they would have more sympathy for the children and respect them."
Jolie and Pitt's relationship, which began during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005, led to a high-profile marriage that ended in divorce in 2016. Their split triggered a protracted legal battle over property and child custody. Jolie has made allegations of abuse against Pitt, which he has denied. The legal disputes have extended to their shared winery, Chateau Miraval, in the South of France, after Jolie sold her stake in 2021. Pitt sued Jolie over the sale, citing a breach of contract. Jolie has stated that her decision to sell was partly motivated by Pitt's "acknowledged problem of alcohol abuse on their family."