Angelina Jolie is one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actresses, filmmakers, and humanitarian figures, but her role as a mother has remained one of the most important parts of her life. Over the years, the public has followed the growth of her six children, who have largely been raised away from the traditional Hollywood spotlight.
Angelina Jolie’s children include Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Three were adopted internationally, while three are Jolie’s biological children. Together, they form a family with diverse cultural backgrounds and individual interests.
Although the Jolie-Pitt family has attracted significant media attention, Jolie has repeatedly emphasized the importance of allowing her children to develop their own identities. Some have shown interests in filmmaking, fashion, dance, theater, humanitarian work, or other creative pursuits, while others have maintained a much more private profile.
This guide takes a closer look at Angelina Jolie’s children, including their names, ages, backgrounds, education, careers, public appearances, and what is responsibly known about their lives.
Who Are Angelina Jolie’s Children?
Angelina Jolie has six children: Maddox Chivan, Pax Thien, Zahara Marley, Shiloh Nouvel, and twins Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline.
Jolie adopted Maddox from Cambodia in 2002. She later adopted Zahara from Ethiopia in 2005 and Pax from Vietnam in 2007. Brad Pitt subsequently became involved in the adoption process, and the children’s surnames became Jolie-Pitt.
Jolie and Pitt’s biological children are Shiloh, born in 2006, and twins Knox and Vivienne, born in 2008.
The former couple separated in 2016 and finalized their divorce in December 2024. They share six children.
Angelina Jolie Children at a Glance
| Child | Birth Year | Background | Known Public Interests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maddox | 2001 | Adopted from Cambodia | Film, production, education |
| Pax | 2003 | Adopted from Vietnam | Art, photography, film |
| Zahara | 2005 | Adopted from Ethiopia | Education, philanthropy, fashion |
| Shiloh | 2006 | Biological daughter | Dance, performing arts |
| Knox | 2008 | Biological son | Art, family appearances |
| Vivienne | 2008 | Biological daughter | Theater and production |
Because the children have grown up in the public eye, information about them is often reported in entertainment media. However, not every claim about their private lives is verified, so it is important to separate established information from speculation.
Maddox Jolie
Maddox Chivan Jolie is Angelina Jolie’s eldest child. He was born in Cambodia in 2001 and was adopted by Jolie in 2002.
His adoption was an important moment in Jolie’s life and marked the beginning of the family that would eventually grow to six children.
Maddox’s Interest in Film
Maddox has shown an interest in the film industry and has worked behind the scenes on projects connected to his mother.
He worked as a production assistant on Jolie’s film First They Killed My Father, which was based on Cambodian author Loung Ung’s memoir. His connection to Cambodia and his mother’s filmmaking work made the project especially meaningful.
Maddox also worked on the film Maria, in which Angelina Jolie portrayed opera singer Maria Callas.
More recently, Maddox has been credited as Maddox Jolie on his mother’s film Couture, reflecting the name he has publicly used in professional credits.
Rather than pursuing the traditional path of becoming an on-screen celebrity, Maddox’s work suggests an interest in the production side of filmmaking.
Pax Jolie
Pax Thien Jolie was born in Vietnam in 2003 and adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2007.
As he grew older, Pax developed interests in visual art and photography. He has also worked in film-related environments.
Pax was involved behind the scenes with First They Killed My Father, gaining experience in filmmaking while working alongside his mother.
His artistic interests have occasionally been visible through public projects and exhibitions, although he has generally maintained a relatively private life.
Like his siblings, Pax has not appeared to pursue celebrity status simply because of his parents’ fame.
Zahara Jolie
Zahara Marley Jolie was born in Ethiopia in 2005 and adopted by Angelina Jolie when she was an infant.
Over the years, Zahara has become one of the more publicly visible members of the Jolie family, particularly because of her educational and philanthropic interests.
Zahara and Spelman College
Zahara attended Spelman College, a historically Black women’s college in Atlanta, Georgia.
During her college years, she became involved in campus life and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. In a public introduction associated with her sorority involvement, she referred to herself as Zahara Marley Jolie.
Her college experience represented an important step toward developing an identity separate from her parents.
Zahara’s education has also attracted attention because Jolie has spoken about supporting her children’s individual interests and educational choices.
Shiloh Jolie
Shiloh Nouvel Jolie was born in Namibia in 2006 and is Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s first biological child.
Her birth attracted enormous international media attention because of the fame of both parents. As she grew older, however, Shiloh became increasingly known for her own interests.
Shiloh and Dance
One of Shiloh’s best-known interests has been dance. Videos and public reports have highlighted her dedication to dancing, particularly choreography and hip-hop styles.
Unlike some celebrity children who immediately pursue acting, Shiloh has generally kept her creative interests separate from the entertainment industry.
Shiloh’s Name
In 2024, after reaching adulthood, Shiloh legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie. Her attorney described the decision as an independent one following what he called painful events.
It is important to respect that decision as a personal matter rather than speculate about its motivations beyond what has been publicly documented.
Knox Jolie
Knox Léon Jolie was born on July 12, 2008, in Nice, France, alongside his twin sister, Vivienne.
As one of Angelina Jolie’s youngest children, Knox has generally lived a relatively private life.
He made a rare public appearance with his mother at the Governors Awards in 2024, an event that attracted attention because Knox has typically avoided the public spotlight. People has described him as one of the Jolie-Pitt children who has been seen less frequently in public.
Knox’s interests have not been documented as extensively as those of some of his siblings, and there is no reliable reason to assume what career he may eventually choose.
Vivienne Jolie
Vivienne Marcheline Jolie was born alongside Knox in 2008.
She had an early connection to Hollywood when she appeared as young Aurora in Angelina Jolie’s 2014 movie Maleficent. Jolie later explained that Vivienne was comfortable around her elaborate costume and makeup when other young performers were frightened by the character’s appearance.
However, Vivienne did not immediately pursue a career as a child actor.
Vivienne and Broadway’s The Outsiders
Instead, she later developed an interest in theater.
When Angelina Jolie became involved as a producer of the Broadway musical The Outsiders, Vivienne worked as her assistant. The experience allowed her to learn about theater production and work behind the scenes.
Vivienne was credited as “Vivienne Jolie” in the show’s Playbill, rather than “Vivienne Jolie-Pitt.” Reports have subsequently covered the use of the Jolie surname by several of the siblings.
Her involvement with The Outsiders is particularly interesting because it shows a different side of the entertainment industry. Rather than simply performing in front of the camera, she gained experience in production and theater.
How Old Are Angelina Jolie’s Children?
As of 2026, Angelina Jolie’s children are all adults or young adults.
Maddox, born in 2001, is 25. Pax, born in 2003, is 23. Zahara, born in 2005, is 21. Shiloh, born in 2006, is 20. Twins Knox and Vivienne, born in 2008, are 18.
These ages reflect their birthdays in 2026. Recent reporting confirms the six children’s birth years and current age range.
The transition into adulthood has also meant that the children have increasingly made independent choices regarding education, careers, names, and public visibility.
Angelina Jolie’s Parenting Approach
Angelina Jolie has often spoken about her children as individuals rather than treating them as a single group.
The family has diverse cultural backgrounds, and Jolie has emphasized education, travel, creativity, and exposure to different cultures.
She has also supported her children’s professional and educational interests. For example, Vivienne’s theater interest led to her involvement in The Outsiders, while Maddox developed experience in filmmaking.
This approach is particularly relevant because the children grew up with enormous access to the entertainment industry. Rather than assuming that all six would become actors, Jolie has allowed them to explore different interests.
Where Do Angelina Jolie’s Children Live?
The Jolie children have spent time in different locations over the years because of Jolie’s international career, humanitarian work, and film projects.
Their upbringing has included exposure to different countries and cultures. However, specific details about their current residences and daily routines are generally private.
As adult children, they also have increasing control over what they choose to share publicly.
Angelina Jolie Children and the Hollywood Spotlight
Being the child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt comes with an unusual level of attention.
From the moment they were born or adopted, photographers and entertainment outlets followed the family. Yet the children have taken different approaches to that attention.
Maddox and Pax have explored filmmaking and art. Zahara has pursued higher education and campus activities. Shiloh has developed an interest in dance. Vivienne has explored theater. Knox has maintained a quieter profile.
Their different paths demonstrate that celebrity families are not necessarily defined by one shared career.
What Happened to the Jolie-Pitt Family Name?
The surname Jolie-Pitt has been closely associated with the family for years, but several of the children have increasingly used “Jolie” publicly.
Shiloh legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie after turning 18. Vivienne was credited as Vivienne Jolie in The Outsiders, while Zahara publicly introduced herself using the Jolie surname during her college years. Recent reporting also says Maddox has used Maddox Jolie in professional credits and that Maddox and Zahara have initiated legal processes concerning their surnames.
These individual choices should not automatically be interpreted as a statement about private family relationships. Names can have personal, professional, and legal significance, and each adult has the right to make decisions about their identity.
Angelina Jolie Children and Their Future
One of the most interesting aspects of Angelina Jolie’s children is that their futures are no longer simply extensions of their parents’ careers.
Maddox has already gained production experience. Pax has explored art and film. Zahara has pursued higher education. Shiloh has developed her dance interests. Vivienne has worked in theater production, while Knox has remained more private.
None of these interests necessarily determines a lifelong career.
The children are young adults with opportunities to choose their own paths, whether those paths remain connected to Hollywood or move in completely different directions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Angelina Jolie Children
1. How many children does Angelina Jolie have?
Angelina Jolie has six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
2. Who are Angelina Jolie’s adopted children?
Angelina Jolie adopted Maddox from Cambodia, Zahara from Ethiopia, and Pax from Vietnam. Brad Pitt later became involved in the adoption process.
3. Who are Angelina Jolie’s biological children?
Shiloh, born in 2006, and twins Knox and Vivienne, born in 2008, are Angelina Jolie’s biological children with Brad Pitt.
4. What do Angelina Jolie’s children do?
The siblings have different interests. Maddox has worked in film production, Pax has explored art and filmmaking, Zahara attended Spelman College, Shiloh has pursued dance, and Vivienne has worked in theater. Knox has maintained a comparatively private profile.
5. Are Angelina Jolie’s children adults?
Yes. As of 2026, all six of Angelina Jolie’s children are adults, with ages ranging from 18 to 25.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s children have grown from one of Hollywood’s most famous celebrity families into young adults with increasingly independent lives. Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne each have different personalities, interests, and experiences, making it difficult—and unnecessary—to define them simply as the children of two famous actors.
Their backgrounds are equally diverse. Three were adopted internationally, while three were born to Jolie and Brad Pitt. Their upbringing exposed them to different cultures, education, travel, filmmaking, and humanitarian work.
Perhaps the most notable feature of their story is the variety of directions they have taken. Maddox has gained film-production experience, Pax has explored art and cinema, Zahara has pursued higher education, Shiloh has developed a passion for dance, and Vivienne has shown an interest in theater production. Knox, meanwhile, has generally remained outside the public spotlight.
As they continue building adult lives, their individual choices will increasingly matter more than their parents’ fame. The story of Angelina Jolie’s children is therefore not simply a Hollywood family story—it is also a story about six young people developing their own identities under extraordinary public attention.
