Jolie Speaks on Raising Her Children as They Drop Pitt's Surname

September 10, 2026 - 14:07

Angelina Jolie has opened up about her approach to parenting and the importance of supporting her children, comments that come at a time when several of her kids have chosen to leave their father's surname behind.

The actress, who shares six children with her former husband Brad Pitt, has largely kept quiet about the details of her family life since the couple split in 2016. Her latest remarks, however, suggest a household built around listening to young people and letting them make decisions about their own identities.

The name change has become one of the more visible signs of the distance between the children and their father. Their daughter Shiloh filed paperwork on her 18th birthday to remove Pitt from her last name, a step that drew wide attention. Other children have also used the Jolie name in public settings, signaling a shift that appears to have been their own choice.

Jolie did not address Pitt directly. Instead, she described the role of a parent as someone who guides rather than controls, and who tries to give children room to grow into who they are. She noted that family life has not always been easy, but said her focus stays on helping her kids feel safe and supported.

Observers see the timing of her comments as meaningful. The surname decisions have played out slowly over years, and her words now place the emphasis on the children's independence rather than on any public dispute between the former couple.