Vivienne Jolie, the 18-year-old daughter of acclaimed actress Angelina Jolie and renowned actor Brad Pitt, has officially taken steps to legally remove her estranged father's surname, Pitt, from her name. A Los Angeles judicial ruling has formally granted her petition to be known as Vivienne Marcheline Jolie, marking a significant development in her personal identity. This change makes Vivienne the fourth child among the former power couple's offspring to adopt a similar modification, highlighting a noticeable shift in the family's dynamics amidst the backdrop of her parents' prolonged separation and divorce proceedings.
Vivienne's decision follows a pattern observed in her elder siblings. Shiloh, Maddox, and Zahara have all previously chosen to drop the Pitt surname, opting to be identified solely with their mother's name. The legal process for Vivienne began several months prior, when she filed her petition and subsequently published the required notices in The Los Angeles Daily Journal over four consecutive weeks, a standard procedure for name changes in California. This public declaration paved the way for the recent court approval, solidifying her new legal identity.
The court proceedings on Monday were handled remotely by Vivienne's legal counsel, Peter Kenneth Levine, via LACourtConnect. The official decree, after reviewing the case file and noting no objections, formally declared the name change from Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt to Vivienne Marcheline Jolie. This legal outcome underscores Vivienne's desire to forge her own identity, separate from her father's surname, a sentiment echoed by her siblings.
Sources close to Angelina Jolie have indicated that the actress's primary concern throughout these developments is the healing and well-being of her children. An insider shared with People magazine that if the full truth of the situation were known, there would be greater sympathy and respect for the children's choices. The source emphasized that the children's dignified silence on the matter publicly reflects their character, and that Angelina is not driven by anger but by a desire for everyone involved to find peace and resolution.
Vivienne's move to distance herself from the Pitt name was also evident in May 2024, when she was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill program for the Broadway production of 'The Outsiders,' where she served as a producer alongside her mother. This earlier public instance of omitting her father's surname foreshadowed the formal legal action that has now been concluded. Born in 2008 as a twin to Knox, Vivienne is the youngest of the six children shared by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, whose high-profile marriage and subsequent divorce have captivated public attention for years.
Brad Pitt, on his part, reportedly finds the growing rift with his children profoundly painful, viewing Angelina's role in the unfolding situation as the ultimate betrayal. The actor has consistently maintained his desire for a relationship with all six of his children, despite the challenges that have arisen from the contentious divorce and custody battles. His representatives have asserted that he is not an absent father, as he has sometimes been portrayed, and actively seeks to maintain connections with his children.
The legal changes by Vivienne, Shiloh, Maddox, and Zahara represent a clear statement of identity from the children of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. As the family navigates the complexities of their post-divorce life, these actions highlight the children's autonomy and their evolving relationships with both parents. The focus remains on their personal journeys and the ongoing quest for healing within the family unit.
