Zahara Jolie-Pitt seeks to drop father Brad Pitt's surname

Zahara Jolie-Pitt, 21, has formally initiated legal proceedings to remove her father Brad Pitt's surname, becoming the third of the former couple's children to publicly distance themselves from the actor. The move, filed on April 28 with the Superior Court of California, follows similar requests from her older siblings, Maddox and Shiloh.

Shiloh, 17, legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie in 2024, and Maddox, 24, also recently filed to drop the Pitt surname. Zahara's decision, while not unexpected, underscores the profound estrangement within the family following Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's contentious separation nearly a decade ago.

Zahara has previously indicated her preference for using only her mother's surname. During her graduation from Spelman College, where she earned a degree in Psychology, she was presented as Zahara Marley Jolie, despite her official program listing Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt. Similarly, when she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in August 2024, she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie.

A source close to Brad Pitt expressed sadness over the public display of "parental alienation." Meanwhile, Vivienne, another daughter, was credited as Vivienne Jolie for the Broadway musical "The Outsiders," which she co-produced with her mother. Maddox also removed the Pitt surname from the credits of Jolie's latest film, "Couture."

Reports from July 2024 indicated that Pitt has minimal contact with his elder children, though his custody agreement allows for visits with the minors. Sources close to Angelina Jolie emphasize the strong and positive relationship she maintains with all her children, highlighting her consistent support for Zahara's academic and personal endeavors.