Brad Pitt’s eldest son has reportedly filed to drop the actor’s surname, deepening the family divide that has persisted since Pitt’s split from Angelina Jolie. Maddox Jolie-Pitt, now 24, has submitted a legal request to change his name to Maddox Chivan Jolie, citing 'personal' reasons. The move follows a pattern among Pitt’s children, several of whom have publicly distanced themselves from the Pitt name.
A Growing Trend Among Siblings
Maddox is not the first of Pitt’s children to make such a change. Earlier this year, he appeared in the credits of his mother’s film Couture as 'Maddox Jolie', omitting the Pitt surname. Last year, his sister Shiloh legally changed her name from Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt to Shiloh Jolie shortly after turning 18. Her lawyer described it as an 'independent and significant decision.' Zahara has also adopted the Jolie surname, being introduced as Zahara Marley Jolie at her sorority ceremony and college graduation. Vivienne, meanwhile, was listed as 'Vivienne Jolie' in the playbill for the Broadway musical The Outsiders. In total, four of Pitt’s six children have now moved away from the double-barrelled Jolie-Pitt name.
The Roots of the Family Divide
The rift traces back to a private jet flight in 2016, after which Jolie filed for divorce and alleged that Pitt had physically and verbally assaulted family members, including then-15-year-old Maddox. Pitt denied the allegations, and the FBI cleared him of wrongdoing. However, reports suggest relationships remain strained, with Maddox and his brother Pax often cited as the most distant. Pax previously made headlines for a harsh social media post directed at Pitt. Those close to Pitt insist he wants a relationship with all his children and hopes for healing, while Jolie’s camp argues the fractured relationships stem from Pitt’s actions.
Maddox was adopted by Jolie from Cambodia in 2002, with Pitt later adopting him after joining the family. This latest legal filing underscores the ongoing distance between Pitt and his children, marking another chapter in a highly publicized family saga.
