In late May 2026, reports emerged that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s eldest son, Maddox, had filed paperwork to change his surname legally. The filing reportedly seeks to drop “Pitt” and become Maddox Chivan Jolie, marking a significant personal step for the 24-year-old.
Did Maddox Jolie-Pitt Drop ‘Pitt’ From His Last Name?
TMZ reported on May 28, 2026, that Maddox filed legal documents to remove “Pitt” from his surname. According to the report, the requested name is Maddox Chivan Jolie. The filing had not yet been granted at the time of those reports. Maddox Jolie-Pitt name change filing.
Maddox filed to legally drop ‘Pitt’ from his surname in May 2026.
Credited as Maddox Jolie on the film Couture prior to the filing.
Siblings Shiloh, Zahara, and Vivienne have also used ‘Jolie’ in public.
Eldest child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt; adopted from Cambodia in 2002.
- TMZ broke the story on May 28, 2026, citing a legal filing.
- Maddox had already been using the surname Jolie professionally, including an assistant director credit on his mother’s film Couture.
- Entertainment outlets frame the move as a symbolic step away from Brad Pitt’s surname, particularly given the family’s post-separation dynamics.
- Reports connect Maddox’s filing to similar surname changes by his siblings: Shiloh filed to remove “Pitt” as well, and Zahara and Vivienne have used “Jolie” in public or professional contexts.
- The divorce between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was finalized in December 2024, before the reported filing.
- One report described the request as “likely only a matter of time” before a ruling, though this is an editorial judgment rather than a confirmed court outcome.
- No official statement from Maddox, Angelina Jolie, or Brad Pitt has been released about the filing.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name at birth | Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt |
| Date of birth | 5 August 2001 |
| Place of birth | Cambodia (originally from an orphanage) |
| Adopted by Angelina Jolie | March 2002 |
| Adopted by Brad Pitt | January 2006 (joint adoption) |
| Age (2026) | 24 years old |
| Notable film work | Assistant director on First They Killed My Father (2017) and Couture |
| Name change status | Filed to drop ‘Pitt’ from surname in May 2026 (reported, not yet granted) |
Who Is Maddox Jolie-Pitt? Biography and Background
Maddox is the eldest of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six children. He was born on 5 August 2001 in Cambodia and lived in an orphanage before being adopted by Angelina Jolie as a single parent in March 2002. Brad Pitt later adopted Maddox in January 2006 after the couple married. Shiloh Zahara Vivienne surname change Jolie.
Adoption From Cambodia
Angelina Jolie adopted Maddox from an orphanage in Cambodia when he was seven months old. Reports have long noted that the adoption was the start of her family. Maddox’s Cambodian heritage has been a consistent part of his public identity.
Siblings
Maddox has five siblings: Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Reports indicate that several of his siblings have also used the surname “Jolie” in professional or public contexts, suggesting a broader family pattern.
Relationship With Parents
The exact status of Maddox’s relationship with Brad Pitt remains private. There have been reports of estrangement, but no official confirmation from either party. The name-change filing has been widely interpreted as another step in that dynamic.
What Is Maddox Jolie-Pitt Doing Now? 2024–2026 Update
Maddox has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years, but some professional and legal developments have emerged. The following is based on available reports, with clarity on what is established and what remains unconfirmed.
The research provided does not offer confirmation of Maddox attending Yonsei University, training as a pilot, or having a verified Instagram account. These details appear in wider online discussion but are not supported by the sources used for this article.
Professional Work in Film
Maddox worked as an assistant director on First They Killed My Father (2017), a film directed by his mother about the Cambodian genocide. More recently, he was credited as an assistant director under the name Maddox Jolie on Angelina Jolie’s film Couture.
Name Change Filing (May 2026)
The most significant recent development is the reported legal filing to drop “Pitt” from his surname. TMZ reported on May 28, 2026, that the paperwork requests the name Maddox Chivan Jolie. The filing had not yet been granted at the time of those reports.
The reported filing came after the final divorce settlement between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in December 2024. Entertainment outlets frame the move as a personal choice by Maddox as an adult.
Is Maddox Jolie-Pitt on Instagram? Personal Life and Rumors
Maddox maintains a very low public profile. The research does not provide any evidence of a verified official Instagram account. An account under the handle @maddoxchivan is not verified and is likely a fan account, not run by Maddox himself.
Baby Rumor Fact Check
There is no credible evidence to support any rumor about Maddox having a baby in 2024 or 2025. The supplied sources do not substantiate this claim, and it appears to be misinformation or confusion with other celebrity news.
Official court records or a statement from Maddox or his family would provide clarity on the name change filing. Until then, reports should be treated as unconfirmed filings.
Timeline: Key Events in Maddox’s Life
- 5 August 2001 — Born in Cambodia; placed in an orphanage.
- March 2002 — Adopted by Angelina Jolie as a single parent.
- January 2006 — Brad Pitt adopts Maddox after the couple’s marriage.
- 2016 — Angelina Jolie files for divorce from Brad Pitt; custody proceedings begin.
- 2017 — Maddox works as assistant director on First They Killed My Father.
- December 2024 — Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce is finalized.
- May 2026 — TMZ reports Maddox filed legal documents to drop “Pitt” from his surname.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Maddox was born on 5 August 2001 in Cambodia. | The name change filing is reported by TMZ but not yet independently confirmed via court records. |
| He was adopted by Angelina Jolie in 2002 and later by Brad Pitt. | Maddox’s enrollment at Yonsei University is not confirmed by the available sources. |
| He worked as assistant director on First They Killed My Father and Couture. | Pilot training is based on unverified reports; no official license has been confirmed. |
| The divorce between his parents was finalized in December 2024. | The Instagram account @maddoxchivan is not verified and likely not official. |
| Siblings have also used “Jolie” in public or professional contexts. | The baby rumor has no credible source and appears to be a hoax. |
What Is the Meaning Behind the Name Change?
Entertainment outlets frame Maddox’s reported legal request as a symbolic step away from Brad Pitt’s surname, especially given the acrimonious historical context of the divorce. The move is seen by some as a reflection of Maddox’s personal choice as an adult entering his mid-20s. The broader pattern among siblings — where Shiloh, Zahara, and Vivienne have also been reported using “Jolie” — suggests a deliberate, family-level choice rather than an isolated act.
Maddox has not commented publicly on the filing, and no official statement from Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt has been released.
Sources and Key Quotes
“Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s son Maddox has filed legal documents to officially drop Pitt from his last name.”
“Maddox Jolie-Pitt was born on 5 August 2001 in Cambodia. He is an actor and assistant director, known for First They Killed My Father (2017), By the Sea (2015).”
— IMDb
Additional editorial context from TMZ (as cited above) notes that the request is “likely only a matter of time” before a ruling, though that is an editorial judgment rather than a confirmed court outcome.
Summary
Maddox Jolie-Pitt, the eldest child of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has reportedly filed to drop “Pitt” from his surname, becoming Maddox Chivan Jolie. The May 2026 filing has not yet been granted. While his professional life includes work as an assistant director on his mother’s films, details about his education at Yonsei University and pilot training remain unconfirmed by the available sources. The baby rumor and Instagram account linked to him are not supported by credible evidence. For more context, see the report on Shiloh, Zahara, and Vivienne’s surname changes (linked above).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Maddox Jolie-Pitt drop Pitt from his last name?
The exact reason hasn’t been publicly stated. It may be related to distancing himself from his father, Brad Pitt, following the acrimonious divorce. Some reports suggest it’s a personal choice as an adult.
Is Maddox still in contact with Brad Pitt?
The status of their relationship is private. There have been reports of estrangement, but no official confirmation from either party.
What is Maddox studying at Yonsei University?
The provided sources do not confirm Maddox’s enrollment at Yonsei University or any specific field of study.
Does Maddox have a pilot license?
Unverified. Some outlets have reported he was training, but no official certification has been confirmed by the available sources.
How many siblings does Maddox have?
He has five siblings: Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Is there a Maddox Jolie-Pitt baby?
No credible evidence. The rumor appears to be a hoax or confusion with other celebrity news.
What is Maddox doing in 2026?
According to recent reports, he is in the process of changing his legal name and continues to work in film as an assistant director.
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Isabelle Knight is TV & Streaming Editor at StoryNative.uk, covering television, streaming platforms, broadcast schedules and platform news.