Splashed across a California newspaper in bold black-and-white lettering are two of Brad Pitt’s children’s last attempts at legally severing ties with their famous father once and for all.
‘Petitioner Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie,’ a notice published in the Los Angeles Daily Journal read.
Another public notice submitted by Pitt’s eldest son stated, ‘Petitioner Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt to Maddox Chivan Jolie.’ Each notice ran respectively four times in the paper from June 10 through July 7.
The filings are a requirement of the legal name change process in California, meant to prevent fraudulent activity and give anyone who objects the petition ample time to ‘show cause’ for ‘why the petition should not be granted.’
Pitt, the Daily Mail was told, feels his hands are tied, and an objection would only make things worse.
‘He’s always going to respect his kids’ choices at the end of the day,’ one source said, adding that ‘any parent intentionally excluded from their children’s lives as punishment is obviously going to be upset by it.’
Maddox Jolie-Pitt (far right) and Zahara Jolie-Pitt (second from right) published public notices in a local newspaper announcing they want to drop their famous father’s last name
Brad Pitt, the Daily Mail was told, feels his hands are tied, and an objection would only make things worse
The breakdown in Pitt’s relationship with Zahara, Maddox and their siblings has been years in the making, but those closest to the family remain deeply divided over why.
To start, one must go back to Pitt’s tumultuous relationship with their mother, Angelina Jolie. The exes were involved in a grueling eight-year divorce battle that was finalized in 2024.
The marriage ended after a volatile plane incident in 2016 and abuse allegations, which Pitt has adamantly denied. He has also never been charged with a crime and the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services cleared Pitt of physical abuse allegations.
Following the split, a source close to Pitt, 62, suggested that Jolie, 51, allegedly attempted to reconcile with her ex-husband – but he rejected her. A separate source has denied the actress ever wanted her ex back and instead said she ‘participated in years of family therapy with Pitt and the children, for everyone to try to heal.’
A decade later, there is still more healing to do.
According to a second source, it’s not easy for their kids – Zahara, 21, Maddox, 24, Pax, 22, Shiloh, 20, and 18-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne – to forgive and forget.
‘None of the kids respect Brad because of what he has done to their mother,’ the insider told the Daily Mail on Monday.
‘They remember how awful it was when they were married, all the fights and drama. They always preferred their mom: Brad always told them what they shouldn’t do while Angelina told them what they could do, so it’s no wonder they gravitated toward her.’
Many close to Pitt are convinced, though, that the now-adult children are victims of a long-running ‘alienation campaign.’
‘This very sad situation is the result of a deliberate, devastating, harmful alienation campaign against the kids’ father by the mother,’ the first source alleged. ‘It’s textbook language from children who were taught to alienate another parent.’
The source also claimed that it is ‘the result of years of one parent weaponizing the children against the other, with no regard for the consequences.’
In May, an insider familiar with the situation insisted to Page Six that Jolie has never set out to isolate her children and condemned the use of the word ‘alienated.’
Pitt and Angelina Jolie married in 2014 and separated in 2016. The exes have six children
Jolie with five of their children, (from left) Maddox, Vivienne, Zahara, Shiloh and Knox
While they seemingly grow further away from their father – with Shiloh, Vivienne and Knox also making moves to drop Pitt’s name, they appear to become closer to their mother.
As one source put it, Jolie is ‘the superwoman’ and Pitt ‘is the villain.’
And it hasn’t helped that following the divorce, another arduous legal battle ensued.
The exes have been fighting over Jolie’s sale of her stake in their French winery Chateau Miraval, where the two ironically said ‘I do’ in 2014.
The lawsuit has reportedly given their kids more ammunition to despise their dad.
‘They hate that Brad has been so difficult with Miraval, they feel he is punishing their mother with the constant bickering over money from the winery,’ the second source said. ‘She has had to spend a fortune on lawyers, and they feel bad for their mom.’
It’s been reported that Jolie has made upwards of $80 million following her divorce, including from the sale of Miraval and other financial agreements.
In addition, we’re told the reason Pitt has been fighting Jolie in court over her Miraval stake is that the sale ‘directly impacted the children’s inheritance.’
The children reportedly also feel resentment for how little Pitt is doing to help their future.
Jolie has ‘built a very positive and creative world for them, and they are grateful,’ the second source said. ‘She is even helping them build their careers, which Brad has never done. Maddox, Pax and Vivienne are thriving behind the scenes in showbusiness.’
Sources close to Pitt say, however, he never had the opportunity to give them a leg up in Hollywood. Jolie ‘deliberately excluded him from having any of these conversations,’ the first source claimed.
As one source put it, Jolie is ‘the superwoman’ and Pitt ‘is the villain’
‘None of the kids respect Brad because of what he has done to their mother,’ an insider told the Daily Mail
A third insider shared just how much Pitt is at his wits’ end with the ordeal, calling it an ‘impossible position as more of his children have chosen to drop his last name.’
‘He views the situation as deeply painful and believes Angelina’s role in how things unfolded is the ultimate betrayal.’
Because of how much Pitt allegedly believes Jolie is at fault for the ’emotional fallout that has been building for years,’ his ‘resentment toward Angelina now extends far beyond the heartbreak of losing his relationship with his children.’
The third source added that Pitt, who has found love again with 33-year-old jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, has zero interest in making amends with his ex-wife and, from his perspective, ‘that chapter of his life is permanently closed.’
‘He no longer dwells on the happy memories of their relationship, and what once felt like a great love now feels so distant that it almost seems as though it belonged to someone else’s life,’ the insider further explained.
‘More than anything, he no longer wants his life or emotions to be dictated by Angelina. He’s tired of carrying that weight and has reached a point where he’s ready to leave the bitterness behind and move on.’
Pitt has, to an extent, ‘accepted that he cannot control’ what is happening with his kids and is instead focused on ‘taking the high road’ and moving on.
According to the insider, he will always hold out hope for his children and that they will one day be able to repair their relationships.
‘If his children ever decide they want him back in their lives, he would welcome them without hesitation,’ the third source concluded.
‘He is choosing to focus on moving forward, believing that time has gradually helped heal wounds he once thought would never close.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Pitt and Jolie’s representatives for comment.
