Public notices published in a California newspaper indicate that Brad Pitt's elder children, Maddox and Zahara Jolie-Pitt, are seeking to legally change their names, dropping their father's surname. The filings, which appeared in the Los Angeles Daily Journal between June 10 and July 7, are a procedural step in California's legal name change process, designed to prevent fraud and allow for objections.
Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt filed a petition to change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie, and Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt filed a petition to change her name to Zahara Marley Jolie. These notices are required to run multiple times in the paper to provide public notification.
Sources close to Pitt suggest he feels his options are limited and that objecting to the name changes could worsen the situation. "He's always going to respect his kids' choices at the end of the day," one insider told the Daily Mail, adding that "any parent intentionally excluded from their children's lives as punishment is obviously going to be upset by it."
The reported estrangement between Pitt and his children, including Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne, has been a subject of discussion for years. Insiders are divided on the reasons behind the breakdown in relationships. Some close to Pitt allege a "deliberate, devastating, harmful alienation campaign" orchestrated by their mother, Angelina Jolie. These sources claim the children's behavior is the result of being "weaponized" against their father.
Conversely, other sources close to Jolie deny that she has sought to isolate the children and condemn the use of the term "alienated." According to one account, the children do not respect Pitt due to past marital conflicts and what they perceive as his actions towards their mother.
"None of the kids respect Brad because of what he has done to their mother," an insider told the Daily Mail. "They remember how awful it was when they were married, all the fights and drama. They always preferred their mom: Brad always told them what they shouldn't do while Angelina told them what they could do, so it's no wonder they gravitated toward her."
The family's legal battles have also reportedly impacted the children's perception of their father. The ongoing dispute over Jolie's sale of her stake in their French winery, Château Miraval, has led some of the children to feel Pitt is unfairly targeting their mother. "They hate that Brad has been so difficult with Miraval, they feel he is punishing their mother with the constant bickering over money from the winery," a source said.
Pitt's legal team has argued that Jolie's sale of her Miraval stake "directly impacted the children's inheritance." Additionally, reports suggest the children feel Pitt has not adequately supported their future endeavors, while Jolie has reportedly helped them pursue careers in show business.
Sources close to Pitt express that he finds the situation deeply painful and views Jolie's alleged role in the family's emotional fallout as an "ultimate betrayal." Despite this, Pitt is reportedly trying to move forward, focusing on his own life and expressing a willingness to welcome his children back if they choose to reconnect.
"He is choosing to focus on moving forward, believing that time has gradually helped heal wounds he once thought would never close," a source told the Daily Mail. Pitt has reportedly found a new relationship with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon.
Representatives for Pitt and Jolie were contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.