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Brad Pitt’s estranged children preparing one last devastating break from ‘heartbroken’ dad
Knox Jolie-Pitt, 18, is reportedly expected to legally remove “Pitt” from his surname, though he has not filed a petition. If he does, he would be the fifth of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s six children to drop their father’s name, amid the family’s long-running estrangement.
Knox has already used “Knox Jolie” on his high school diploma. His twin sister Vivienne recently obtained a legal name change, while Zahara also changed her surname; the article says other siblings have taken similar steps. Sources quoted by the article give conflicting accounts of the family rift, and representatives for Brad, Angelina and Knox did not respond to requests for comment.
In short
- Knox is reportedly expected to legally drop “Pitt” from his surname.
- He has already used “Knox Jolie” on his diploma.
- His twin sister Vivienne and sister Zahara have changed their names.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A person should be free to choose the name that best reflects their identity and family relationships, especially as an adult. If Knox sees “Jolie” as the name he wants to use, removing “Pitt” can be a personal decision without being a public verdict on his father.
The case against
A legal name change can carry lasting emotional meaning, particularly in a family already described as estranged, and Brad may experience it as a painful rejection. Those concerned about the relationship could argue that keeping the name, at least for now, leaves room for reconciliation without preventing Knox from expressing his identity in other ways.