Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s daughter Shiloh recently filed documents to change her last name from “Jolie-Pitt” to just “Jolie.” She reportedly hired a lawyer and paid for the services herself, keeping it a secret from her mother, Angelina. Shiloh’s decision follows in the footsteps of her siblings who have also distanced themselves from their father in recent years. Vivienne Jolie was listed as “Vivienne Jolie” in a recent playbill, and Zahara Marley Jolie introduced herself without the Pitt surname at an event.
Zahara, Brad and Angelina’s 19-year-old daughter, had also opted to drop her father’s last name when she was inducted into her sorority at Spelman College in 2023. Similarly, Maddox, their 22-year-old son, has chosen to use the Jolie name on non-legal documents rather than Pitt. It was reported that Angelina did not support his decision to legally change his name. The couple shares a total of six children, including Pax and Knox.
Angelina initially filed for divorce from Brad in 2016 after 12 years together and two years of marriage. She sought sole custody of their children at the time. The downfall of their relationship reportedly began after an incident in 2016 when Brad allegedly got physical with Angelina and two of their children on a private jet. The aftermath of the divorce has led to several of their children distancing themselves by changing their last names.
Shiloh and her siblings seem to be making a statement by dropping their father’s last name and opting for the Jolie surname. The decision could be seen as a reflection of the strained relationship between Brad and his children following the divorce. The children have taken steps to assert their individuality and disassociate themselves from their father’s actions. While their decision has not been publicly commented on by either Brad or Angelina, the children appear to be making their own choices regarding their identities and how they wish to be referred to.
The Jolie-Pitt children have grown up in the spotlight due to their parents’ fame and the public nature of their divorce. Despite this, they have begun to carve their own paths and assert their independence. Shiloh, Zahara, Maddox, Vivienne, Pax, and Knox have shown determination in making choices that reflect their personal preferences and values. By changing their last names or choosing not to use their father’s surname, the children are asserting their own identities separate from the famous parents that they have become known for. As they continue to navigate life in the public eye, the children are taking steps to define themselves on their own terms.
