Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's eldest son, Maddox, has taken a significant step to sever ties with his father by filing paperwork to legally change his surname. The 24-year-old is requesting to drop the "Pitt" from his last name, aiming to be known simply as Maddox Chivan Jolie.
Legal Name Change
According to reports, Maddox filed the legal documents to remove his father's surname. This move follows his earlier decision to drop "Pitt" from his professional name; in the credits for Angelina Jolie's latest film, Couture, he is listed as Maddox Jolie, where he worked as an assistant director.
Family Dynamics
Maddox is not the first of the couple's children to distance themselves from Brad Pitt. Shiloh Jolie-Pitt legally changed her surname previously, Zahara has informally dropped it, and Vivienne's surname was omitted from a Broadway playbill for a production she worked on. The couple also share Pax, 22, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 17.
The strained relationship between Maddox and his father was highlighted in 2021 when Maddox testified against Brad Pitt during the acrimonious divorce proceedings. Reports at the time indicated that his testimony was "not very flattering towards Brad." An alleged altercation between Maddox and Pitt was said to have been the final straw for Angelina Jolie, leading to their divorce in 2019, five years after their marriage in 2014.
Angelina Jolie's Plans
Earlier this year, it was reported that Angelina Jolie plans to leave the United States temporarily to settle in Europe, splitting her time between Europe and New York for more privacy. Her long-time friend, actor Jae Benjamin, told PageSix: "She can't get far enough away from the drama … the only way to take a break is to get out." He added that she will focus on projects that drive her passion.
The ongoing family saga continues to unfold as the children make independent choices regarding their identities and relationships with their famous parents.
