It is difficult to say what Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are best known for. Maybe it’s their charity work, although some would say that it is for a huge family instead. The two of them worked hard together to raise their kids during the course of their marriage. However, Shiloh caught the attention of others for one reason.
Brangelina
In 2002, Angelina Jolie had been recovering from her divorce with ex-husband Billy Bob Thornton. It was then that she adopted her first kid, Maddox, a 6-months-old Cambodian orphan. In 2005, she decided to adopt Zahara, an orphan from Ethiopia. However, Brangelina got more exciting news after this!
Brangelina
Building The Family
In 2002, Angelina Jolie adopted Maddox. She started raising him as a single mother. The world was also thrilled to hear Angelina and Brad adopt Zahara from Ethiopia. However, many were waiting for their first biological child together.
Building The Family
Escaping the Media
The media simply would not leave this A-lister couple alone after news got out that they were together. Even though they tried to stay private, the paparazzi stayed vigilant. They monitored every step the pair made!
Escaping The Media
To Africa
As a matter of fact, it got so crazy that Brangelina opted to give birth to their kid in Namibia. The whole world wanted to see the baby, but it was much harder to stay on their trail since they were in Africa.
To Africa
Expanding
There were folks who thought that the family was going to only have 5 members. However, they decided they wanted more kids. After the birth of Shiloh in 2006, they adopted a Vietnamese child called Pax. He was a 3-year-old orphan at the time.
Expanding
Adoption Difficulties
While they are a diverse and big family, Jolie works hard to show the same affection and love to all the kids. In fact, the difficulties involved in the adoption process only made the couple want kids even more!
Adoption Difficulties
Adopting In Ethiopia
They might be megastars, but they also had to deal with various problems during adoption. In 2005, it was not easy for them to adopt Zahara from Ethiopia. There was also the matter of Brad announcing that he was taking custody of Zahara and wanted to adopt Zahara and Maddox.
Adopting In Ethiopia
From Jolie To Jolie-Pitt
Later that year, Angelina decided to change the last names of the two kids to Jolie-Pitt. Everyone was happy to hear this. After all, Jolie-Pitt brings back memories of the way Brad and Angelina got together!
From Jolie To Jolie Pitt
Exciting News
The media was going crazy over the news that Brad was adopting her kids when they found out about the pregnancy. Brad and Angelina tried to keep the relationship private. They got bombarded even more than usual since they were the biggest stars on the planet. The kids opted out of the spotlight, however.
Exciting News
Where It All Began
Things might sound awkward if you trace it back to its roots. The two first met when they were working on Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In those days, Brad Pitt was still married to actress Jennifer Aniston.
Where It All Began
Affair Rumors
After falling for his costar, Brad Pitt decided to get a divorce. The media, of course, went crazy! Even though there were talks of an affair, Angelina said, “To be intimate with a married man, when my own father cheated on my mother, is not something I could forgive.”
Affair Rumors
Much Anticipated Birth
After this rather controversial start to the relationship, things changed when the world got wind that Angelina was carrying a child. The relationship appeared more solid by then. The couple went to Namibia for the birth to have more privacy. They welcomed their child on the 27th of May 2006.
Much Anticipated Birth
Photos For Charity
There was not a single doubt that photos of the newborn were going to get a lot of compensation. They sold photos of their baby and gave the proceeds to charity! What an amazing thing to do, right? We are proud of them for doing this.
Photos For Charity
Tight Security
The media also tried to get their own photos of the baby but failed miserably at this task. The local authorities even helped them chase the paparazzi away. Reporters were not allowed to go inside the hospital. On top of that, only those with written permission from Brad and Angelina could go in.
Tight Security
An Incident
At one point, there was a big commotion. Only the security screens knew what was happening at the time. It turned out that one rogue photographer tried to sneak into the hospital. In the end, he only got caught and was arrested.
An Incident
Big Reveal
Brad and Angeline remained in Namibia with baby Shiloh for some time. American media outlets all waited anxiously for their return. Many speculated whether they had a specific deal with someone for the first photos of their baby. It actually went to Getty Images! The photos were published in People and Hello!. They got a lot of money for it but donated it all to charity.
Big Reveal
Media Frenzy
People thought that all the excitement would die down in the end. However, this did not end up being the case. After all, there was shocking news that would blindside even Brad and Angeline themselves.
Media Frenzy
A Wax Figure
As a matter of fact, Madame Tussauds created a wax figure of their baby as well. Manager Janine DiGioacchino defended it by saying, “Even though she’s just a few months old, Shiloh is already an iconic figure in the world of popular culture.” In the end, this particular child would continue to fascinate us all.
A Wax Figure
Not Quite Done
Everyone was shocked to hear that Brad and Angelina made one more big decision after getting home from Africa. It looks like they still felt that something was amiss. They wanted to adopt one more kid!
Not Quite Done
Adopting Pax
Less than a year after the birth of Shiloh, Angelina adopted Pax. He was a 3-year-old orphan from Vietnam. Angelina had to adopt him on her own since there is a Vietnamese law that forbids unmarried couples to adopt together.
Adopting Pax
The Jolie-Pitt Family
When they got back to the US, Pitt would be able to adopt him. In 2008, the actor became the legal father of another son. Now a family of six, the Jolie-Pitt crew became an iconic image of a loving yet diverse family. Jolie has even joked about it! “Shiloh looks like Brad,” the actress said with humor, “it’s funny because she’s almost going to be the outcast in the family because she’s blonde and blue-eyed.”
The Jolie-Pitt Family
Growing And Changing
As you might have expected, the paparazzi just could not get enough of seeing Angelina and Brad with Shiloh. Back then, many knew that this child would inherit the incredible genes of the power couple. There were also fans who tried to guess whether Shiloh would go on to look more like Angelina or Brad!
Growing And Changing
Mom Or Dad?
While Angelina said that Shiloh resembled Brad more, fans also tried to compare Shiloh to the actress. As we all know, however, it is not particularly easy to guess how a child would look like in the future.
Mom Or Dad
An Announcement
The entire world was paying attention to Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. However, Brad and Angeline had more news to share in May 2008. At the Cannes Film Festival, the lovely Angelina Jolie let the world know that she was pregnant with twins! The world got ready to see more kids carrying the genes of these two stars.
Next Came The Twins
Next Came The Twins
Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon were born on the 12th of July 2008. This time around, Angelina and Brad struck a deal with the media and sold their photos for a cool $14 million. Yet again, they donated the proceeds to their own charity, which is called the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.
Next Came The Twins
A Young Brad
The twins were kept away from the public eye, which is why Shiloh continued to get the spotlight. The public saw a young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes much like her father. Everyone compared her to a young Brad Pitt. She was already seen as a daddy’s girl when she started to dress a lot like her dad!
A Young Brad
Non-Traditional Style
When young Shiloh showed up at the red carpet with her parents, she preferred to wear suits. Angelina and the other girls put on very girly dresses, but Shiloh wowed everyone in sophisticated outfits. Neat!
Non-Traditional Style
Her Hair Too
It was not just the clothes that made her different, however. Her blonde hair was styled and cut in the same her dad’s. Sadly, the media did not spare the poor child their unkind criticism of her boyish style.
Her Hair Too
The Tabloids
Tabloids started to put out cover stories that attacked the parenting style of Angelina and Brad. In 2010, Life & Style even put out a cover asking, “Why Is Angelina Turning Shiloh Into A Boy?” Yikes!
The Tabloids
Media Crosses Boundary
The article had family representatives who claimed that it might be harmful for kids not to have a ‘gender distinction.’ Aside from this, people responded by asking if it was appropriate to cover such a young kid this way and wanted the tabloids to leave Shiloh alone.
Media Crosses Boundary
Defending Choices
The National Center for Transgender Equality also fired back at the article. The organization put out a statement that said, “Our society needs healthy, well-rounded children whose interests and tastes are as diverse as the children themselves and are not limited by outdated stereotypes of gender.”
Defending Choices
Her Mother Speaks
Angelina Jolie, the mom herself, talked to Vanity Fair to expound on the choices that concerned Shiloh. This was what we all wanted! Let us find out what the mother of the child had to say about the matter.
Her Mother Speaks
Telling Interview
In 2010, the actress told Vanity Fair, “[Shiloh] likes to dress like a boy. She wants to be a boy. So we had to cut her hair. She likes to wear boys’ everything. She thinks she’s one of the brothers.”
Telling Interview
All The Speculation
People started to wonder if Shiloh was transgender after the interview came out. Some said that these were all tell-tale signs, but others thought that the child might only be going through a tomboy phase or an experimental period. After all, Shiloh was still very young.
All The Speculation
Outpouring Support
After the news came out about Shiloh’s identity, LGBT advocates and other celebrities decided to show their support for the child. Aside from this, there were particular people who decided to step forward and show support.
Outpouring Support
Someone Speaks Out
In 2010, Cher’s transgender son Chaz Bono weighed in. He said, “I would love to talk to them at some point, [And] at least let them know we have this resource for them if they ever need it. For a child who had grown up in the spotlight, under the watchful eye of the media, it can be too much to handle.”
Someone Speaks Out
Speaking Out Of Context
The rumor mill ended up spiraling out of control about the gender identity of this child. Amber Rose gave her 2 cents as well. When more photos of Shiloh, then 8 years old, came out, the model posted a photo of the child with this caption: “How gorgeous is John Jolie Pitt?! Born into the perfect family for him. #TransKids #LoveurKidsNoMatterWhat#Support.” Many, however, expressed their anger for her involvement even though it did not concern her directly.
Speaking Out Of Context
Concern Over Child’s Needs
Angelina Jolie kept making telling statements about how devoted she was to the kids and their family. In particular, there was something that she said that got people thinking. What could it be now this time?
Concern Over Child’s Needs
Born With “Privilege”
“I felt so much more for Madd, Zahara and Pax because they were survivors. Shiloh seemed so privileged from the moment she was born. But I’m conscious that I have to make sure I don’t ignore her needs, just because I think the others are more vulnerable,” Angelina Jolie expounded on the matter.
Born With Privilege
Plight For Attention
It led to claims that Shiloh was not going through a gender identity crisis. They said it was only the way the kid acted out in search of attention. In 2016, however, news came out and put these claims down.
Plight For Attention
Strain for the Family
Shiloh, together with the other five Jolie-Pitt siblings, experienced a lot of stress. After all, Brad and Angelina just announced that they would get a divorce. It was a public and bitter affair. That was not all, however.
Strain For The Family
Father/Son Altercation
There was some sad news that came out after they announced the divorce. On their private plane, Brad allegedly had a fight with Maddox, who was 15 years old back then. It was said that he adopted to defend his mother when his parents were in the middle of a fight. However, some claimed that this did not really happen.
Father/Son Altercation
Public Searches For Reason
Regardless of how hard they worked to keep their lives private, the world kept discussing the divorce. There were rumors that the actor was an alcoholic with a substance abuse problem. They said that it was the reason he acted so inappropriately.
Public Searches For Reason
A Suspected Affair
Aside from that, the grapevine claimed that Brad Pitt was in an extra-marital affair with his costar Marion Cotillard. They denied these reports, but people were still convinced that there was more to the dramatic separation between Brad and Angelina.
A Suspected Affair
Investigation Of Brad
The next thing that happened was the release of photos of moving trucks at their residence. News outlets and paparazzi found out that the LA Department of Child and Family Services as well as the FBI launched an investigation on Brad for child abuse. This shocked everyone because the actor was very involved with philanthropy and charity work. People started to wonder just how different his private persona was from his public image. In the end, however, they found no evidence of child abuse. Whew!
Investigation Of Brad
Hard Times
It is always hard when your parents get a divorce. However, the publicity of the debacle made things even worse for the Pitt-Jolie kids. There were reports that Shiloh could not cope with it. “Shiloh’s not the same bubbly kid she was before Brad and Angie split, she doesn’t understand why Brad can’t be there on their family trips to Disneyland,” one source informed Radar Online.
Hard Times
Separation
Angelina Jolie wanted sole custody, and the minors did not have any choice but to stay with her. Many folks saw that Shiloh had a hard time. It was said that she was sad that her dad was no longer with them.
Separation
Kids First
In 2017, this was what Angelina Jolie said in an interview: “I think it’s very important to cry in the shower and not in front of the children. They need to know that everything’s going to be all right even when you’re not sure it is.” Many found this statement to be very revealing. It was clear that Angelina Jolie puts the wellbeing of the kids before anything else in the world.
Kids First
Undying Bond
Despite everything, Brad would still have a huge role in the lives of the kids. Without a doubt, Shiloh would be able to see him on the regular and enjoy the same relationship they used to have. The teen also has the freedom to live life the way she wants in the future. Many believe that she is a mini version of Brad Pitt and do not doubt that the bond between them would stay secure.
Undying Bond
Supporting Her Kids
Jolie and the kids showed up at the LA premiere of the animated film The Breadwinner. Released in November 2017, the actress actually produced this film about a young girl in Afghanistan. She said, “Everything will be around the children. I haven’t worked for over a year now because they needed me home. Everything was just stopped. I’m really sitting and talking with them because everything affects them. Every location, every type of project, I’m going to have to adjust it to however much they can handle.”
Supporting Her Kids
Allowing Her Child Freedom
We all know just how dedicated and loving a mother Angelina Jolie is. However, a lot of people got to know more about Brad Pitt as a father when he went on Oprah in 2008. There, he announced that Shiloh would rather be called John instead. The actor was applauded for supporting his child with her gender choices.
Allowing Her Child Freedom
Family Resemblance
A lot of people go on about how much Shiloh and Brad look alike, but that is not where the family resemblances end. When photographed together, people notice that the kids also look alike. Knox grew up a lot in the past years, and he could pass for Shiloh’s twin! They both share the blue eyes of their dad.
Family Resemblance
Photography Hobby
Apart from gender identity, people like how artistic and curious Shiloh is. Angelina once brought the teen to a camera shop in Los Angeles. It turns out that Shiloh is interested in photography and wanted to pick a camera during that bonding session.
Photography Hobby
More Talent
There is something else about this kid that would surely impress you! Shiloh has a keen interest in music too. Angelina Jolie gave the young artist a ukulele as a gift. Clearly, this child is full of artistry as well!
More Talent
Moving Forward
It is hard to believe just how much the children have grown by 2019. Maddox is the eldest at 18 years old, with Pax coming in at second at 16 years old. Zahara is 14 years old, Shiloh is 13 years old, and the twins, Knox and Vivienne, are now 11 years old. Just so you know, Angelina Jolie is 44 years old.
Moving Forward
The House
In 2017, the actress shelled out $24 million for a mansion that used to be owned by Cecil B. DeMille. She did this to live closer to Brad Pitt. We are glad to hear that the two of them are working together and making decisions that would be best for the children they share.
The House
Painful Injury
It is no secret that kids will be kids. They all love adventure, tend to be clumsy, and want to experience new things. With that said, Shiloh and her family had been on a skiing trip when the poor child got injured while snowboarding! It was a good thing that there was a medical team at the resort to help out. Shiloh broke a collarbone and needed to wear a sling after the accident.
Painful Injury
Giving Back
It is common knowledge that Angelina Jolie likes to give back. She is involved in many organizations and charities on top of traveling to volunteer in other countries. She has also opened her home to children in need. Her eldest birth child takes after her because Shiloh also likes to travel abroad and help out!
Giving Back
Not Camera Shy
As the child of famous stars, the kids had to go to lots of premieres and events. They also had to deal with the paparazzi a lot. There are celebs who like to bring their kids to public outings, but some prefer to keep the kids out of the spotlight. Shiloh, however, has attended many events with Brad and Angelina.
Not Camera Shy
Special Meaning
Did you know that the first and middle names Brad and Angelina gave Shiloh hold special meanings? Shiloh is actually a historical name from Jerusalem that means “to whom it belongs.” It is also a reference to biblical prophets. Meanwhile, Nouvel is a tribute to a French architect called Jean Nouvel. Shiloh was given this middle name as a tribute to the talented artist and designer.
Special Meaning
Younger
Shiloh might be the oldest of the birth children between Brad and Angelina, but she is far from the oldest of the crew. She is younger than all the adopted Pitt-Jolie kids! At any rate, this does not seem to matter at all since the siblings all appear to be close anyway.
Younger
Homeschool
It seems like homeschooling is the norm among celebs and their kids. This comes with tons of perks in comparison to normal schools. As the child of celeb parents, fans and the media always want to hear about their lives. This is one of the reasons why celebrities prefer to take a more private route instead.
Homeschool
C-Section
In January 2016, Jolie talked about what it was like to give birth to Shiloh in Namibia. It even inspired her to do more humanitarian missions! She explained that she went to the hospital and found out that she needed a C-section. The actress was shocked to hear that they did not have ultrasound machines in that hospital. Despite this, the establishment was full of qualified people to help her through the birth.
C Section
Famous Friends
It seems like Shiloh and the other Jolie-Pitt kids are friends with many famous people. Here is actress Millie Bobby Brown with Shiloh and Zahara! There are not many photos of the kids without Brad or Angeline, but they appear to be on their own in this photo. They likely had a bodyguard nearby, though.
Famous Friends
A Movie Credit
Shiloh is still young but has already expressed an interest in going into show business. In 2016, the teen landed a small part in Kung Fu Panda 3. Together with the other kids in the family, Shiloh recorded animal noises that went into the movie.
A Movie Credit
13th Birthday Present
There were reports that Shiloh wanted to go to an escape room game called The Basement. Participants simulate a scenario in which they are kidnapped by a ‘serial killer.’ It is so serious that people below the age of 13 are not allowed to participate! This was the reason Angelina took Shiloh and the older kids to the escape room when her eldest birth child turned 13 years old. Shiloh loved the experience!
13th Birthday Present
Home
A lot of people have just one place to call home. However, this is not the case for this family. The kids were not only born in different parts of the globe, but they also get to call multiple places their home. They own multiple properties, after all. The family has two houses in Louisiana, two more in California, and one apartment in New York City. They also own properties in Spain and the South of France.
Home
Multi-Lingual
The Jolie-Pitt children are encouraged to enjoy a well-rounded education. This involves picking up new languages. Angelina Jolie said that the kids were taking up different languages: “I asked them what languages they wanted to learn and Shi is learning Khmai, which is the Cambodian language, Pax is focusing on Vietnamese, Mad has taken to German and Russian, Z is speaking French, Vivienne really wanted to learn Arabic, and Knox is learning sign language.”
Multi-Lingual
No Drinking
There is one strict rule Angelina Jolie set in place for the kids: no drinking. There are reports that she has even restricted herself from bringing alcohol into their house. The kids were not allowed to go to sleepovers either in the fear that they might drink when they are away.
No Drinking
Nicknames
There might be a few rules here and there, but Angelina Jolie mostly encourages the children to do their own thing. The kids have pretty uncommon names, but they do not always use them. Apparently, the kids use nicknames instead. Need examples? Vivienne is called “Vivi,” and Maddox goes by “Mad.”
Nicknames
Single Daily Call
The divorce is now at full swing, so things have become even more complicated for the kids. When they are spending time with their father, they have a set time when they can make one phone call to their mom in a day. Yes, Angelina only gets to call them once a day during a time they both agree on.
Single Daily Call
Freedom
At any rate, the kids get to enjoy a vast amount of freedom. In the end, this all boils down to the parenting philosophy and style held by Brad and Angelina. The actress does not really believe in rules. For her, it is more important for the kids get the freedom of expression.
Freedom
No Tests
For one thing, Angelina does not impose a structure when it comes to the children’s studies. Aren’t you jealous?! Apparently, she wants them to learn the things they want to and then ignore what they do not. We are sure that the kids love this. On top of that, the kids do not have homework or take tests!
No Tests
Raised By A Nanny
Brad and Angelina got one nanny for each child, which means there are six nannies in their employ. Allegedly, it was the task of Angelina’s brother to ensure that the nannies died their jobs. Basically, he kept these employees in line. Even though Shiloh has a nanny, this child formed special bonds with both Brad and Angelina. Shiloh also spends a fair amount of time in the spotlight.
Raised By A Nanny
Starred Alongside Her Dad In A Movie
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was released in 2008. Brad Pitt was the lead actor in the film, but there was someone else in the family who appeared in the movie. Apparently, Shiloh appeared in several scenes of the movie even though she was only two years old. She portrayed the child of Benjamin and Daisy in the film.
Starred Alongside Her Dad In A Movie
Maddox Has A Budding Career
Maddox, the eldest Jolie-Pitt child, had been the first one to be adopted by Jolie even before she got together with Brad. Born in Cambodia, he grew up with the power couple in the US. He launched his own movie career early on by playing a bit part in World War Z. Angelina directed and starred in By The Sea (2017) and gave Maddox a production assistant job on the set. In 2017, he also did crucial behind-the-scenes work as executive producer for First They Killed My Father.
Maddox Has A Budding Career