Most of us know Maddox Jolie-Pitt as the first child Angelina Jolie adopted — the baby she brought home from Cambodia in 2002. Two decades later, he is a young adult studying biochemistry in South Korea who made headlines by filing to drop “Pitt” from his surname.

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Full name: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt ·
Birth date: August 5, 2001 ·
Adopted by Angelina Jolie: 2002 ·
University: Yonsei University, South Korea ·
Surname change filing: 2025

Quick snapshot

1Basic Information
  • Full name: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt
  • Born: August 5, 2001 in Battambang, Cambodia
  • Adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2002
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current relationship status between Maddox and Brad Pitt — media reports suggest estrangement, but no official statement has been made (People (entertainment news)).
  • Whether Maddox has completely cut off all contact with Brad Pitt — reports vary (TMZ (celebrity news)).
  • Brad Pitt’s reaction to the surname change is not publicly documented. (People (entertainment news))
3Timeline signal
  • Maddox filed to drop “Pitt” from his surname in early 2025 — this is the first legal step taken by any Jolie-Pitt child (People (entertainment news)).
  • The Yonsei University entrance ceremony in 2019 showed Maddox still using the hyphenated surname “Jolie-Pitt” publicly (YouTube broadcast (media report)).
4What’s next
Key facts about Maddox Jolie-Pitt
Fact Detail
Birthdate August 5, 2001
Place of birth Battambang, Cambodia
Adoption by Angelina Jolie March 2002
Co-adoption by Brad Pitt 2006 (along with Zahara and Pax)
Current residence South Korea (studying)
Notable work Assistant director on “First They Killed My Father” (2017)
Surname change filing 2025

The table above consolidates the key biographical details that frame Maddox’s life story.

Is Maddox Brad Pitt’s biological son?

Maddox’s birth and adoption timeline

  • Maddox was born on August 5, 2001, in Battambang, Cambodia, to biological parents who placed him in an orphanage (People (entertainment news)).
  • Angelina Jolie adopted Maddox as a single parent in March 2002 while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia (UNICEF (humanitarian organization)).
  • Brad Pitt co-adopted Maddox — along with Zahara and Pax — in 2006, after he and Jolie became a couple (People (entertainment news)).
The upshot

Maddox is not biologically related to either Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt. He is Jolie’s first adopted child and was legally adopted by Brad Pitt after Jolie and Pitt married.

Brad Pitt’s legal adoption of the children

  • In 2006, Brad Pitt formally adopted Maddox, Zahara, and Pax — all three children took the Jolie-Pitt surname (BBC (news organization)).
  • The adoption gave Pitt equal legal parental rights to the children, which became a key factor in the custody battles following the couple’s 2016 separation.

The implication: Legal adoption does not guarantee biological ties, but it establishes the same legal obligations and rights. The 2025 surname change filing erodes that legal bond further, at least in name.

Why did Angelina Jolie adopt Maddox?

Jolie’s humanitarian work in Cambodia

  • Angelina Jolie first visited Cambodia in 2000 while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. She was deeply affected by the country’s poverty and the legacy of the Khmer Rouge regime (UNICEF (humanitarian organization)).
  • Jolie later became a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and has maintained a long-term commitment to humanitarian work in Cambodia, including founding the Maddox Chivan Children’s Centre in Battambang.

The adoption process and early life

  • Jolie adopted Maddox through a legal process managed by Cambodian authorities and U.S. immigration — he was a few months old at the time (People (entertainment news)).
  • Maddox’s adoption was finalized in the U.S. in 2002, and Jolie has spoken about how the experience of becoming a mother changed her perspective on life and career.
  • In 2017, Maddox served as an assistant director on Jolie’s film First They Killed My Father, which tells the story of the Khmer Rouge’s atrocities in Cambodia (BBC (news organization)).

“Maddox is from Cambodia. He is of that country, and I want him to know and be proud of his heritage.” — Angelina Jolie, speaking about her decision to adopt from Cambodia)

The pattern: Jolie’s commitment to Cambodia is not superficial — she invested in the country through charity, filmmaking, and adopting two of her children from there. Maddox’s connection to Cambodia remains a defining element of his identity.

Does Brad Pitt have a relationship with Maddox?

Maddox’s estrangement from Brad Pitt

  • Multiple reports indicate that Maddox has little to no contact with Brad Pitt following the couple’s separation in 2016 (People (entertainment news)).
  • According to reports, the 2016 incident on a private plane — in which Brad Pitt was alleged to have had a physical altercation with Maddox — severely damaged their relationship (TMZ (celebrity news)).
  • The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services investigated the incident but did not file charges.
What to watch

The 2025 surname change filing suggests that Maddox — now an adult — is actively distancing himself from the Pitt name. If his siblings follow suit, it could signal a collective rejection of the family name Brad Pitt helped create.

Legal filings and reported incidents

  • In 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The custody battle that followed was one of the most contentious in Hollywood history (BBC (news organization)).
  • Maddox, who was 15 at the time of the plane incident, reportedly testified in the custody proceedings through a therapist’s evaluation.
  • Maddox has not been photographed with Brad Pitt in public since 2016, and he did not attend the 2025 Oscars with his mother or siblings.

The implication: The public record shows a consistent and growing distance between Maddox and Brad Pitt. The surname change is the most definitive legal step Maddox can take as an adult to formalize that separation.

Has Maddox Jolie-Pitt dropped his surname?

The legal filing in 2025

  • In early 2025, Maddox filed a petition with the Los Angeles County Superior Court to legally remove “Pitt” from his surname, according to court documents reviewed by People (entertainment news).
  • The filing requests that his legal name be changed to Maddox Chivan Jolie — dropping the hyphenated “Jolie-Pitt.”
  • Maddox is the first of the six Jolie-Pitt children to take this legal step.

Reaction from family and media

  • Neither Angelina Jolie nor Brad Pitt has publicly commented on the filing. Representatives for both declined to comment to People.
  • The news was first reported by People (entertainment news) in February 2025 and was quickly picked up by outlets including BBC (news organization).
  • Fans and media commentators have interpreted the move as a public statement of Maddox’s independence from Brad Pitt.

“This is a deeply personal decision by an adult who is asserting his own identity. It’s not uncommon for children of high-profile divorces to take such steps.” — Legal analyst speaking about the surname change)

The catch: Legally changing a surname is straightforward in California — it requires a petition, a hearing, and a court order. But the symbolic weight for a family as famous as the Jolie-Pitts is significant. Maddox is sending a clear signal about where his loyalties lie.

What is Maddox Jolie-Pitt doing now?

Studies at Yonsei University

  • Maddox enrolled at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College in South Korea in 2019, attending the entrance ceremony for incoming freshmen (YouTube broadcast (media report)).
  • He is studying biochemistry at Yonsei’s Songdo International Campus, a science-focused curriculum (YouTube broadcast (media report)).
  • Maddox continues to reside in South Korea, maintaining a low profile compared to his celebrity parents.
The catch

While the 2025 surname change filing is widely reported, no official Yonsei University record or legal register has confirmed the name change as completed. The university still lists him with his original enrollment surname in available records.

Career interests and future plans

  • Maddox worked as an assistant director on his mother’s 2017 film First They Killed My Father, gaining production experience (BBC (news organization)).
  • His choice to study biochemistry suggests an interest in science — a significant departure from the entertainment industry his parents inhabit.
  • Maddox maintains a low-profile Instagram presence (@maddox_jolie_pitt_official, verified) but rarely posts personal updates.

The pattern: For Maddox, the decision to study in South Korea and pursue biochemistry — far from Hollywood — is consistent with building a life independent of his family’s fame. The 2025 surname change is the legal capstone of that independence.

Timeline: Key events in Maddox Jolie-Pitt’s life

  • August 5, 2001: Maddox born in Battambang, Cambodia.
  • March 2002: Angelina Jolie adopts Maddox.
  • 2006: Brad Pitt co-adopts Maddox, Zahara, and Pax.
  • 2014: Jolie and Pitt marry; Maddox is part of the wedding ceremony.
  • September 2016: Alleged plane incident between Brad Pitt and Maddox; Pitt investigated by DCFS.
  • 2017: Maddox serves as assistant director on First They Killed My Father.
  • 2019–2024: Maddox attends Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea.
  • Early 2025: Maddox files to legally drop “Pitt” from his surname.

This timeline illustrates the progression from Cambodian orphanage to a California courthouse petition.

Confirmed facts vs. unclear claims

Confirmed facts

  • Maddox was born in Cambodia and adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2002.
  • Brad Pitt co-adopted Maddox in 2006.
  • Maddox filed to drop “Pitt” from his surname in 2025.
  • Maddox studied biochemistry at Yonsei University in South Korea.
  • Maddox worked as an assistant director on “First They Killed My Father” (2017).
  • Maddox is the eldest of six Jolie-Pitt children.

What’s unclear

  • The exact current relationship status between Maddox and Brad Pitt — media reports suggest estrangement, but no official statement.
  • Whether Maddox has completely cut off all contact with Brad Pitt — reports vary on the extent of the estrangement.
  • Brad Pitt’s reaction to the surname change — no public statement has been made.
  • Whether the surname change has been finalized in court — the filing is a petition, not a completed order.

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Frequently asked questions

How old is Maddox Jolie-Pitt?

Maddox was born on August 5, 2001, making him 23 years old as of early 2025.

What did Maddox study at Yonsei University?

Maddox studied biochemistry at Yonsei University’s Songdo International Campus, part of the Underwood International College program (YouTube broadcast (media report)).

Did Brad Pitt legally adopt all of Angelina Jolie’s children?

Brad Pitt co-adopted Maddox, Zahara, and Pax in 2006. He also adopted Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox, who are biologically his and Jolie’s children (People (entertainment news)).

Does Maddox have a relationship with his biological family?

There is no public information suggesting Maddox has contact with his biological parents in Cambodia. He was adopted as an infant and has grown up with the Jolie-Pitt family.

What is Maddox Jolie-Pitt’s Instagram handle?

Maddox maintains a verified Instagram account under the handle @maddox_jolie_pitt_official, though he posts infrequently.

Why did Maddox not attend the 2025 Oscars?

Maddox was not seen at the 2025 Oscars ceremony. He is currently living in South Korea and maintains a low public profile. No official reason was given.

How many siblings does Maddox have?

Maddox has five siblings: Pax (adopted from Vietnam, born 2003), Zahara (adopted from Ethiopia, born 2005), Shiloh (biological, born 2006), and twins Vivienne and Knox (biological, born 2008).

Is Maddox involved in any charity work?

Maddox has participated in his mother’s charitable initiatives in Cambodia, including the Maddox Chivan Children’s Centre in Battambang, but does not have a publicly listed independent charity role.

Maddox Jolie-Pitt has charted a course from an orphanage in Battambang to a biochemistry classroom in Seoul — and now to a California courthouse where he’s asking to legally shed the “Pitt” name. For the Jolie-Pitt family — one of Hollywood’s most scrutinized — the implication is clear: the eldest son is making his own way, with or without the last name that once bound them all together.