Maddox Jolie-Pitt: Growing Up In The Spotlight

There’s something pretty remarkable about being the first child ever adopted by Angelina Jolie. That’s exactly the title Maddox Jolie-Pitt holds, and it all began back in March 2002. If you fast forward to today, you’ll see just how much this eldest of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s six kids has grown and transformed over the years.

A Life Unlike Any Other

Maddox has been in the public eye since the very beginning. When Angelina, fresh off her role in Girl, Interrupted, decided to adopt Maddox from an orphanage in Cambodia, he was just seven months old. From that moment on, his life took a unique turn. At the time, Angelina was married to Billy Bob Thornton, but she chose to adopt Maddox on her own. After their split in 2003, she continued raising him as a single parent, giving him a foundation of love and stability.

A New Chapter with Brad Pitt

Fast forward to 2006, and Angelina had started a new chapter in her life with Brad Pitt. In their first year together, Brad officially adopted Maddox, welcoming him into their growing family. Together, they expanded their brood to include Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and the twins Knox and Vivienne. Even though Angelina filed for divorce from Brad in 2016, two years after their marriage, Maddox has navigated the complexities of their relationship with grace. At the age of 18, when asked about repairing his strained relationship with Brad, Maddox simply said, “Whatever happens, happens.” It’s a testament to his maturity and calm demeanor.

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Collaborating with Mom on the Big Screen

Maddox has always been close to his mom, and that bond became even more evident when he worked alongside her on the 2017 film First They Killed My Father. Filmed entirely in Cambodia, the movie gave Maddox the opportunity to connect deeply with his roots. In his first-ever interview with People, Maddox shared, “I was trying to help wherever I could.” He added, “She’s fun, funny, and easy to work with. She’s a wonder.” For Angelina, working with Maddox was a proud moment. She said, “Mad knows himself very well, and if he said he was ready, I knew he knew.” This project allowed Maddox to immerse himself in his culture, spending over four months in Cambodia, learning about its history, including its darker chapters.

Reflecting on his time in Cambodia, Maddox, then 16, said, “My favorite thing about Cambodia is the people by far. They are calm, relaxed, and when they want to do something wild, they do it—much like me in a way. I’m proud to be a Cambodian.” It’s clear that Maddox’s connection to his birthplace runs deep.

Pursuing Education and a Bright Future

While Maddox didn’t follow in his mom’s footsteps into filmmaking—at least not yet—he’s carved out his own path. In 2019, Angelina and Maddox visited several prestigious universities, including New York University and the University of Chicago, as he explored his options for higher education. Ultimately, Maddox chose Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, to pursue his studies in biochemistry. Living in an on-campus dormitory, Maddox continues to excel academically. Already fluent in Russian and French, he added Korean to his linguistic repertoire before moving to South Korea, proving that his thirst for knowledge knows no bounds.

A Journey of Growth and Change

From his early days as a baby adopted by Angelina Jolie to becoming a young man pursuing a career in biochemistry, Maddox has come a long way. Scroll down to see more photos of Maddox and witness just how much he’s grown through the years. His journey is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the power of family.

Scroll down to see more photos of Maddox and how much he’s grown through the years!