Maddox Jolie-Pitt’s New Path: 5 Surprising Facts About His Strained Pitt Relationship, College Life, And Film Career

Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt, the eldest son of global icons Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, continues to forge a deeply private and highly ambitious path, balancing demanding academic pursuits with a burgeoning career in the film industry. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the 23-year-old is making headlines not just for his A-list lineage, but for his professional steps behind the camera and his dedication to a rigorous science degree in South Korea. This deep dive reveals the most current details about his life, from his complex family dynamics to his serious commitment to both biochemistry and filmmaking, confirming his status as a young man carving out his own unique identity away from the intense Hollywood spotlight.

Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt: A Complete Biography and Profile

Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt is the oldest of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six children, known for his Cambodian heritage and his close relationship with his mother.

• Full Name: Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt (Originally Rath Vibol)
• Date of Birth: August 5, 2001
• Age (as of December 2025): 24
• Birthplace: Battambang, Cambodia
• Adoption: Adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2002 from an orphanage in Cambodia when he was seven months old. Brad Pitt officially adopted him in 2006.
• Parents: Angelina Jolie (Mother), Brad Pitt (Adoptive Father)
• Siblings: Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt, and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt.
• Education: Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea (Studying Biochemistry).
• Notable Career Roles: Executive Producer on First They Killed My Father (2017), Third Assistant Director on Stitches (2024).

1. The Demanding Academic Life at Yonsei University

Maddox Jolie-Pitt has demonstrated a serious commitment to his academic pursuits, choosing a path far removed from the entertainment industry’s glamour. His decision to study in Asia highlights his desire for a life of intellectual curiosity and global experience.

In 2019, Maddox enrolled at the prestigious Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, to study Biochemistry. This choice was significant, as he reportedly had multiple university acceptances but selected Yonsei, an institution known for its rigorous science programs and global reputation.

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His dedication to his new environment is evident in his commitment to language. To prepare for his studies and life in the country, Maddox undertook extensive lessons in the Korean language multiple times a week. This effort underscores his proactive approach to fully immersing himself in the culture and his challenging course of study.

While the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to temporarily return home in 2020 to continue his studies remotely, sources confirm he has since been expected to return to the Seoul campus to complete his degree, maintaining his focus on this highly technical and specialized field. His academic journey stands as a testament to his independent spirit and intellectual drive.

2. Major Steps Behind the Camera in 2024/2025

Despite his demanding biochemistry course load, Maddox is actively building a professional career in film, following in his mother's footsteps but choosing a role behind the scenes. This is where the most recent and "fresh" news about his professional life lies.

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In a major career development in late 2024, Maddox, now 23, was reported to have taken on the professional title of Third Assistant Director for Angelina Jolie’s new film, *Stitches*, which was filmed in Paris. This is a hands-on, highly organized role crucial to the daily logistics of a film set, demonstrating his commitment to learning the craft of filmmaking from the ground up.

This is not his first foray into production. He previously served as an Executive Producer on the 2017 film *First They Killed My Father*, which his mother directed. His involvement was deep-rooted, as he was instrumental in encouraging his mother to create the film, which is based on the memoir of Cambodian human rights activist Loung Ung. Furthermore, he and his brother, Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt, also worked on the set of Jolie’s film *Without Blood*.

These recent, successive roles in the entertainment industry—from Executive Producer to Third Assistant Director—suggest that while he is dedicated to his science degree, a career in film production is a serious, parallel pursuit for Maddox, allowing him to blend his personal passions with his family's professional world.

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3. Navigating the Strained Relationship with Brad Pitt

One of the most discussed aspects of Maddox’s life remains his complex relationship with his adoptive father, Brad Pitt. Following the high-profile separation of his parents, the dynamics within the family have been subject to intense media scrutiny.

Multiple reports have consistently indicated that Maddox’s relationship with Brad Pitt is strained. This tension is a significant part of the ongoing narrative surrounding the family, with sources often suggesting a rift that has persisted since the 2016 divorce filing.

In contrast, Maddox maintains an extremely close and supportive bond with his mother, Angelina Jolie. He has often been described as her "right-hand man" and has been a constant presence by her side for years. His loyalty and support for his mother are evident in their frequent public appearances and his involvement in her professional projects.

4. Recent High-Profile Public Appearances

While generally maintaining a low profile, Maddox has made several notable public appearances in late 2024 and 2025, often accompanying his mother and siblings to significant events, which provides a rare glimpse into his life.

• White House State Dinner: Maddox and Angelina Jolie attended a State Dinner at the White House, marking a rare and formal public outing for the mother-son duo.
• New York Film Festival: He attended the "Maria" screening during the 62nd New York Film Festival alongside his mother and siblings Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt and Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt.
• Los Angeles Outing: He was also recently spotted on a rare public outing in Los Angeles with his sister Zahara, who is currently studying at Spelman College.

These appearances confirm that despite his international university commitments and film production work, Maddox remains a central and supportive figure in the lives of his mother and siblings, including Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt, and Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt.