Zahara Jolie, now 21 years old, is one of six children adopted or born to actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie and her former partner, actor Brad Pitt. Zahara was adopted from Ethiopia by Jolie in 2005, when she was just seven months old. Brad Pitt filed to adopt her the following year. Despite her parents' deliberate efforts to shield their children from the spotlight, Zahara has spent her entire life in the public eye.
Quiet Steps Before the Legal Filing
Long before any legal filing, Zahara had already started making her feelings about her surname known. As Us Weekly reported, in November 2023, while celebrating her induction into the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College in Atlanta, Zahara introduced herself simply as: 'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. Coming all the way from the Golden State, in the city that is full of angels, Los Angeles, California.' The moment was filmed by Essence and quietly circulated online, with most people understanding exactly what it meant.
Graduation Ceremony Omission
The next significant moment came at her college graduation. As People confirmed, on May 17, when she walked the stage to collect her diploma for a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Spelman College, although she was listed in the commencement programme as Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, her name was read aloud as Zahara Marley Jolie. Brad Pitt was not present at the ceremony. As TMZ reported, a source said Brad did not contact his daughter about attending the ceremony.
Legal Name Change Made Official
The formal step came shortly after. According to reports, Zahara filed a petition with the Los Angeles Superior Court requesting that her legal name be changed to Zahara Marley Jolie, effectively dropping Pitt from her last name. She did not specify any reasons for the change in her filing. Us Weekly, which was the first to report the news, confirmed that the filing dates back to April 28. She is set to appear in court on September 28 to share with a judge why she is making the change.
Not the Only Sibling to Drop the Pitt Surname
Zahara is the latest in a line of siblings making the same move. As People reported, in May 2024, Shiloh filed to legally change her name on her 18th birthday and was granted the request, while Vivienne used only the last name Jolie in the playbill for The Outsiders, the Broadway play she worked on with her mother. As InStyle reported, Maddox, 24, became the third child to drop the Pitt surname when he was credited simply as Maddox Jolie as assistant director on Angelina's film Couture. As People also noted, while Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, and Vivienne have all taken steps to distance themselves from their father's name, Pax and Knox still carry the Jolie-Pitt surname.
Zahara Jolie on Her Bond with Angelina Jolie
In April, Zahara delivered a speech at a sorority event that gave a rare glimpse into her relationship with Angelina. As Complex reported, she said: 'My mom and I have a unique, almost kindred relationship that can be hard to put into words.' She also accompanied Angelina to the 2025 Golden Globes, standing beside her on the red carpet as her mother was honoured for her work.
All Six of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Children
As People confirmed, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt share six children together: Maddox, 24; Pax, 22; Zahara, 21; Shiloh, 20; and twins Knox and Vivienne, both 17. Their divorce was finalised in December 2024 after more than eight years of legal proceedings.
