Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt with daughter Shiloh. PHOTO: GETTY (3)
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, the 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has taken a significant step towards changing her identity. According to sources close to the family, Shiloh filed to drop “Pitt” from her last name, opting to go by Shiloh Jolie instead. This decision was accompanied by hiring her own attorney and covering the legal expenses herself.
A source revealed that Shiloh’s decision is influenced by the history of abuse allegations made by Jolie against Pitt. This move underscores the ongoing tension between the former couple, who share six children: Maddox, Zahara, Shiloh, Pax, Knox, and Vivienne.
Legal Steps and Family Dynamics
On May 27, her 18th birthday, Shiloh submitted the legal documents to change her name. PEOPLE obtained these documents, confirming the action. This isn’t the first instance of name changes within the family. Shiloh’s younger siblings, Vivienne and Zahara, have also opted to remove “Pitt” from their surnames. Vivienne is listed as “Vivienne Jolie” in the playbill for the Broadway show The Outsiders, which is produced by Jolie, while Zahara introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie at Spelman College.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s tumultuous relationship has been in the public eye since their split in 2016. Jolie filed for divorce, seeking sole physical custody of their children. The custody battle has been ongoing, marked by allegations and counter-allegations.
Ongoing Custody Battle and Allegations
In August 2022, an insider told PEOPLE that Pitt’s connection with his children has been strained for years. The source mentioned there were periods when Pitt did not see his kids at all. The couple has also been embroiled in a legal dispute over their winery, Chateau Miraval. Jolie has alleged that Pitt was abusive towards her and their children, claims that Pitt’s lawyers have dismissed as “misleading” and a “distraction.”
Recently, a former security guard, who still works for Pitt, claimed in legal documents that Jolie encouraged the children to avoid spending time with Pitt during visits. Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, responded by stating that Jolie has always aimed for a healthy separation and positive relationships within the family, including Pitt.
The Impact on the Children
The public battle between Jolie and Pitt has inevitably affected their children. Shiloh’s move to change her surname indicates a desire to distance herself from the ongoing conflict. Jolie has spoken openly about the difficulties of their divorce, telling The Guardian in 2021 that the decision to divorce Pitt was not made lightly and came after much deliberation.
This high-profile family drama continues to unfold, highlighting the complex dynamics and emotional toll on all involved. As the legal battles persist, the Jolie-Pitt children are making their own decisions about their identities and relationships with their parents.
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