Brad Pitt was reportedly heartbroken and disconsolate when he learned that his daughter, Shiloh, had decided to drop his last name. A source close to the actor revealed to People magazine that Pitt's initial reaction was one of profound disappointment and distress. He had always cherished the bond he shared with his daughter and had been overwhelmed with joy when she was born. Pitt's desire for a daughter had been a long-standing one, and Shiloh's arrival had filled him with immense happiness.
The source further elaborated that Pitt's emotional turmoil stemmed not only from Shiloh's decision but also from the broader context of his estrangement from his children. The reminders of his diminished role in their lives weighed heavily on him. Despite finding solace in his relationship with Ines de Ramon, the pain of separation lingered.
Another source corroborated the depth of Pitt's affection for his children and acknowledged the challenges the family had faced during this period of transition.
Shiloh's decision to legally change her name to Shiloh Jolie was a significant step in her journey toward self-definition. The name change, which occurred on her 18th birthday, had not yet been officially approved. However, Shiloh's preference for using the Jolie surname was evident in her involvement in the Broadway play The Outsiders, where she was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the playbill.
This was not the first instance of Brad Pitt's children distancing themselves from his surname. Last year, Zahara adopted the name Zahara Marley Jolie during her sorority induction at Spelman College. In 2021, Maddox reportedly opted to use Jolie instead of Pitt on non-legal documents.
The exact reasons for the estrangement between Brad Pitt and his children remain unclear. However, allegations of verbal and physical abuse by Pitt during a private jet journey in 2016, as claimed by Pax, have cast a shadow over their relationship. Pax's public denunciation of Pitt as a world class a--hole in a Father's Day post further strained their bond.
Amidst the ongoing divorce proceedings between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, which commenced in 2016, the custody of their six children has been a contentious issue. While they were declared legally single in 2019, the divorce proceedings are yet to be finalized.
