Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s eldest son, Maddox, has officially removed his father’s last name from legal documents, according to court filings obtained by the entertainment portal Page Six. The high-profile family estrangement highlights ongoing legal and personal fallout from the actors’ 2016 separation, which was formally finalized in 2024 after years of proceedings.
Maddox Removes Father’s Last Name in Court
Maddox’s legal petition to drop Pitt from his surname has been officially accepted by the judicial system, according to court records cited by Page Six. A judge signed off on the name change during a special court hearing. Maddox did not attend the proceedings in person and instead participated remotely, signaling a decisive break from his father.
The former couple share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Court actions and public choices by multiple siblings indicate a broader pattern of distancing from the actor.
How the Jolie-Pitt Children Are Dropping the Pitt Surname
The name changes began gaining public attention when Shiloh, the former couple’s daughter, renounced Brad Pitt’s surname shortly after turning 18 in 2024, according to public legal filings. Around the same time, an insider told the Daily Mail that “Brad always wants his children to know that he supports them” and hoped to maintain a relationship despite the distance.
Zahara followed her siblings by filing official paperwork for a name change, with a scheduled court hearing set for late September, according to international media reports. Meanwhile, twins Knox and Vivienne have also publicly dropped the hyphenated surname, using exclusively Jolie in daily life. According to foreign media reports, Pax remains the only sibling who maintains sporadic contact with family members on his father’s side.
Did you know?
While Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt separated in 2016, their legal matters continued through the courts for nearly a decade before their divorce was finalized in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of the Jolie-Pitt children have changed their names?
According to reports from Page Six and the Daily Mail, Maddox, Shiloh, and Zahara have taken formal legal steps regarding their surnames, while twins Knox and Vivienne have publicly used only their mother’s last name.
When did Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt separate?
The actors separated in 2016. Their divorce was officially finalized in 2024.
Does Brad Pitt still have contact with any of his children?
According to foreign media reports, Pax is currently the only sibling among the six children who maintains sporadic contact with family members on his father’s side.
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