Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, famously known as “Brangelina,” had one of Hollywood’s most talked-about relationships. They became a sensation when they met in 2004 on the set of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”
The couple has six children, three of whom are adopted. Their eldest, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, was adopted by Angelina in 2002, and later, Brad also adopted him. Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, their second adopted child, joined the family in 2005 from Ethiopia. Zahara’s adoption shed light on international adoption and the challenges faced by orphans in Africa. Brad and Angelina have been actively involved in philanthropy to address these issues. Their third adopted child is Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt from Vietnam, adopted in 2007. They also have three biological children: Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt and twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.
Zahara, born on January 8, 2005, in Ethiopia, has been an important part of Brad and Angelina’s life and their humanitarian work. As Zahara grew up, she occasionally attended events and film premieres with her parents, attracting public attention. Her adoption raised awareness about the challenges faced by children in Ethiopia and the broader issues of international adoption. Brad and Angelina have always emphasized the importance of a strong connection to their children’s birth countries, especially when it comes to Zahara.
Even though Brad and Angelina separated in 2016, their focus has always been on their children. When Zahara enrolled at Spelman College in August 2022, both parents openly expressed their pride and support for her. In November 2023, Zahara joined a sorority, which became a topic of discussion due to a controversial decision she made during her induction ceremony.
Growing up with famous parents like Brad and Angelina, their children undoubtedly had an extraordinary childhood. However, they also pursued normal activities, such as pursuing their academic studies. In 2019, Maddox left the United States to study biochemistry at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea. Angelina admitted that when she said goodbye to him at the airport, she couldn’t help but have a tearful moment.
Following in her brother’s footsteps, Zahara enrolled in Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, which is one of the top historically Black colleges and universities. In August 2022, Zahara and her mother met with senior members of the college’s staff, and in a video, Angelina expressed her emotions about Zahara’s new chapter in life.
Brad, too, has publicly shared his thoughts on matters concerning his children, including adoption. In September 2011, he spoke about Zahara’s adoption, stating, “I have seen children suffer far beyond what we experience in America — like our oldest daughter (Zahara). I know she would not be alive (if she hadn’t been adopted).”
Before Zahara started college, Brad expressed his pride in her and said, “She’s so smart. She’s going to flourish even more at college. It’s an exciting and beautiful time to find her own way and pursue her interests.”
It seems that Zahara is thriving at Spelman and fully embracing the college experience. She recently joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which aims to promote unity and friendship among college women and address social issues affecting girls and women.
In a video shared in November 2023, Zahara introduced herself during an event for the sorority’s new members. While her enthusiastic announcement was exciting to watch, it also sparked a debate due to one detail—Zahara dropped “Pitt” from her last name. This innocent decision raised questions about Zahara’s relationship with her parents.
Some users expressed sadness, stating, “Imagine your adopted child dropping your name.” Others defended Zahara’s choice, emphasizing that she is an adult who can make her own decisions. Many praised Angelina for nurturing Zahara and allowing her to embrace her roots.
