Brad Pitt’s daughter Zahara Jolie files petition to drop his surname amid ongoing family rift
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Angelina Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt’s daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, has filed a petition to legally drop “Pitt” from her surname, becoming the third of the former couple’s six children to seek the change.
The filing comes just days after her older brother Maddox sought a similar legal name change and follows years of signs that Zahara had already been using only her mother’s surname in both public appearances and personal settings.
Zahara Jolie-Pitt seeks legal name change
The former couple share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. According to documents obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, June 9, the 21-year-old filed a petition in California Superior Court seeking to legally change her name.
The move comes after her brother Maddox had already begun using the name Maddox Jolie professionally, including in the credits and production notes for the film 'Couture.' Zahara has likewise used the name Zahara Jolie during several public appearances.
She has previously used only her mother’s surname in public, introducing herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie” while joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College and later being presented without the Pitt surname during her graduation ceremony.
Months earlier, Vivienne was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” rather than “Vivienne Jolie-Pitt” in the May 2024 Playbill for 'The Outsiders,' the Broadway musical she helped produce with her mother, though it was never confirmed whether she had legally changed her surname.
Her filing also comes after sister Shiloh was granted a legal name change in 2024 and began using the name Shiloh Jolie. Earlier this year, a source told PEOPLE that Jolie shares an "amazing relationship" with Zahara and remains actively involved in her daughter’s life.
"Angie has showed up for pretty much everything, move-in weekend, sorority events, milestone celebrations and now graduation," the source said, adding, "She's been very supportive and involved. She wanted Zahara to have the best experience."
Brad Pitt’s bond with children scrutinized
A source also said that Jolie encourages each of her children to pursue their own interests and embrace their individuality. "She really encourages all the kids to embrace their individualities. She always loved their different personalities, interests and talents," the insider added.
They further said, "She makes an effort to support what matters to each of them."
Meanwhile, another source told PEOPLE in July 2024 that Pitt has "virtually no contact" with his adult children. The insider noted that although Jolie has primary custody of the younger children, Pitt continues to have visitation rights under the former couple’s custody agreement.
Angelina first filed for divorce and sought sole physical custody of their children in 2016. More recently, a source close to Brad said that he is "aware and upset" about Shiloh’s decision to drop his surname.
Added the insider, "The reminders that he’s lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad, he’s still happy with Ines [de Ramon]," the source continued, but the distance from his children "pains him."
