The Six Children Of Angelina Jolie: Unpacking The Adoption Stories Of Maddox, Pax, And Zahara

Angelina Jolie is one of the most recognizable figures in Hollywood, not just for her Academy Award-winning acting career, but for her profound commitment to global humanitarian work, which is intrinsically linked to her role as a mother of six. The question of "did Angelina Jolie adopt" is frequently asked, and the answer is a resounding yes: she is a devoted mother to three adopted children and three biological children, forming one of the world's most famous modern families.

As of late 2025, the Jolie-Pitt children are growing into impressive young adults, with the eldest beginning to carve out their own paths in university and the arts. Understanding the full scope of her family requires a look back at the timeline of her adoptions—from Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam—and the recent, inspiring endeavors of Maddox, Zahara, and Pax, which continue to make headlines and highlight the star's unique approach to parenting.

Angelina Jolie: Actress, Filmmaker, and Special Envoy Biography

Angelina Jolie is an American actress, filmmaker, and humanitarian who has consistently ranked among Hollywood's highest-paid performers. Born on June 4, 1975, to actor Jon Voight and actress Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie’s career has spanned decades, earning her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Her estimated net worth is reported to be in the range of $120 million to $200 million as of 2025.

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Beyond her film work, which includes blockbusters like *Maleficent*, *Mr. & Mrs. Smith*, and *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider*, Jolie is perhaps equally famous for her extensive philanthropic endeavors. Her humanitarian journey began in 2001 after filming *Lara Croft: Tomb Raider* in Cambodia.

She has served as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) since 2012, having worked with the agency since 2001. Her work has taken her to over 60 countries, advocating for refugees and displaced persons worldwide.

The Adoption Timeline: Maddox, Zahara, and Pax

Angelina Jolie is a mother to six children: three adopted and three biological, all of whom share the surname Jolie-Pitt. Her decision to adopt was a deeply personal one, often cited as a direct result of her humanitarian missions and her desire to build a diverse, global family.

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Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt (Adopted 2002)

• Country of Origin: Cambodia
• Birth Date: August 5, 2001
• Adoption Year: 2002
• Recent Update (2025): Maddox, the eldest of the six, is currently 24 years old. He is pursuing his university education at Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, where he is studying biochemistry. While he had to return home to California for a period during the global pandemic, his focus remains on his studies in Asia.

Maddox’s adoption was the beginning of Jolie’s journey into motherhood. She adopted him from an orphanage in Battambang, Cambodia, while filming in the region. His adoption inspired her to create the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which focuses on conservation and community development in Cambodia.

Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt (Adopted 2005)

• Country of Origin: Ethiopia
• Birth Date: January 8, 2005
• Adoption Year: 2005
• Recent Update (2025): Zahara is currently 20 years old and a proud college student. She is attending Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, a historically Black women's liberal arts college (HBCU). Zahara has also made headlines for joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), demonstrating a strong connection to her college community.

Zahara was adopted by Jolie and her then-partner, Brad Pitt, from an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when she was seven months old. Jolie has spoken openly about the importance of her adopted children knowing and celebrating their cultural heritage, a theme particularly relevant to Zahara's decision to attend an HBCU.

Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt (Adopted 2007)

• Country of Origin: Vietnam
• Birth Date: November 29, 2003
• Adoption Year: 2007
• Recent Update (2025): Pax is 21 years old and is reportedly pursuing a quiet but serious career in the art world. He is said to be an abstract artist, creating mixed-media work, and is preparing to exhibit his art at a gallery show, using a pseudonym to maintain privacy.

Pax was adopted from the Tam Binh orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, when he was three years old. His adoption was finalized by Jolie as a single parent, and Brad Pitt later adopted him. His focus on a creative career, away from the spotlight, reflects the family’s efforts to cultivate individual interests.

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The Full Jolie-Pitt Family: Biological Children and Shared Bonds

While the focus is often on the adopted children, Angelina Jolie also shares three biological children with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, completing the family of six. The collective unit, often referred to as the 'Brangelina' children, has always been raised with an emphasis on global awareness and mutual respect for one another's distinct backgrounds.

The biological children are:

• Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt: Born May 27, 2006, in Swakopmund, Namibia.
• Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt: Born July 12, 2008, in Nice, France (twin).
• Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt: Born July 12, 2008, in Nice, France (twin).

The six siblings are known to be incredibly close, with Jolie ensuring that each child's birthplace and cultural heritage are honored. She has often taken the children on trips to their birth countries, fostering a deep connection to their roots and creating a truly international upbringing.

Embracing Heritage: The Core of Jolie's Parenting Philosophy

Angelina Jolie's approach to parenting her six children—Maddox, Zahara, Pax, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne—is centered on celebrating their diverse origins and individual stories. She has consistently emphasized that adoption is not about "saving" a child but about building a family and allowing the adopted children to maintain a strong connection to their first homes.

This philosophy is evident in the choices her children are making in their young adult lives. Maddox’s decision to study in South Korea, Zahara’s enrollment at Spelman College, and Pax’s pursuit of a creative career all demonstrate a family environment that encourages independence and the exploration of identity.

The star’s public life, which seamlessly blends high-profile acting with tireless work as a UNHCR Special Envoy, serves as a powerful model for her children. Her humanitarian efforts, including her focus on women’s rights and international law, are a constant backdrop to their upbringing, instilling in them a sense of global responsibility and compassion for the displaced.

In conclusion, Angelina Jolie did indeed adopt three children: Maddox from Cambodia, Zahara from Ethiopia, and Pax from Vietnam. Their stories, combined with those of her three biological children, create a compelling narrative of a modern, blended, and globally-minded family unit that continues to evolve and inspire. The latest updates in 2025 confirm that all six children are thriving, each forging a unique path supported by a mother who champions their individuality and heritage.