Zahara Jolie-Pitt is the daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Born in Ethiopia in January 2005, she was adopted by Jolie as a baby and later joined the Jolie-Pitt family. In 2026, she graduated from Spelman College and began the legal process of changing her surname to Jolie.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt |
| Birth date | January 8, 2005 |
| Birthplace | Ethiopia |
| Age | 21 as of September 2026 |
| Adoptive mother | Angelina Jolie |
| Adoptive father | Brad Pitt |
| College | Spelman College |
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology |
| Graduation | May 17, 2026 |
| Sorority | Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated |
| Proposed legal name | Zahara Marley Jolie |
Zahara has generally kept a lower public profile than her famous parents. Her recent milestones, however, have placed more attention on her education, community involvement and growing independence.
How Old Is Zahara Jolie-Pitt?
Zahara Jolie-Pitt was born on January 8, 2005, which makes her 21 years old as of September 2026. Contemporary reporting on her 2005 adoption identified her as an Ethiopian baby adopted by Angelina Jolie.
Her adoption became part of a larger family story that eventually included six children. Angelina Jolie first adopted Zahara, while Brad Pitt later became her adoptive father. Pitt subsequently adopted Jolie’s other adopted children as well.
Where Did Zahara Jolie-Pitt Go to College?
Zahara attended Spelman College, a historically Black women’s liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. She entered Spelman as an undergraduate in 2022.
Her college years became one of the most visible parts of her young adulthood. Rather than building a career around her parents’ Hollywood profiles, she developed an identity connected to campus life, academics and service.
In November 2023, Zahara joined Spelman’s Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Angelina Jolie publicly celebrated her daughter’s achievement and spoke warmly about Zahara’s experience at the college.
Alpha Kappa Alpha describes itself as a service-oriented organization centered on scholarship, leadership, unity and community impact.
Zahara’s Psychology Degree and 2026 Graduation
Zahara graduated from Spelman College on May 17, 2026, during the school’s 139th commencement ceremony in Atlanta. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Her graduation was notable for another reason. During the ceremony, she was introduced as “Zahara Marley Jolie” rather than Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt. People reported that the official commencement program still used the Jolie-Pitt surname, meaning the public use of Jolie came before the completion of her later legal name-change process.
The graduation also marked a significant transition from college student to graduate, with Zahara moving into adulthood largely outside the entertainment industry.
Is Zahara Jolie-Pitt Changing Her Name?
Yes. Zahara has started the legal process to remove “Pitt” from her surname and become Zahara Marley Jolie.
According to reporting based on court documents, Zahara filed the petition in California in June 2026. She subsequently completed the required newspaper-publication step, with notices appearing in the Los Angeles Daily Journal on June 16, June 23, June 30 and July 7.
The change is not yet legally final as of September 12, 2026. Her hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2026, when a judge can decide whether to approve the request.
California’s court system confirms that an adult name change generally involves filing a petition, publishing the required notice and receiving a court order before the new legal name is finalized.
That distinction matters. Zahara has already been publicly identified as Zahara Marley Jolie, including at her 2026 graduation, but her legal surname remains Jolie-Pitt until the court approves the petition and issues the relevant order.
Zahara and Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie has publicly shown strong support for Zahara’s education and personal development.
During Zahara’s time at Spelman, Jolie attended important family and campus events and celebrated her daughter’s involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha. In 2025, Zahara also took on a public speaking role connected to women’s health and period poverty at a Mother-Daughter Brunch in Alabama.
At that event, Zahara discussed her mother’s influence and described Jolie as a loving and selfless role model. The comments offered a rare glimpse into their relationship from Zahara’s own perspective.
What Does Zahara Jolie-Pitt Do?
Zahara is best known publicly as a member of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s family and as a Spelman graduate with a psychology degree. She has also participated in community-focused activities and student organizations.
She has not established a major public career in acting or entertainment comparable to her parents. Although she has appeared in connection with family projects and media coverage over the years, her adult public profile has centered more on education, sorority involvement and advocacy.
Her psychology degree could provide a foundation for many future paths, but there is no reliable public evidence establishing a specific long-term career she has chosen as of September 2026.
Why Is Zahara Jolie-Pitt in the News in 2026?
Three developments have driven most of the recent attention around Zahara.
First, she graduated from Spelman College with a psychology degree in May 2026.
Second, she was introduced at graduation using the name Zahara Marley Jolie, despite the commencement program listing her as Jolie-Pitt.
Third, she has taken formal legal steps to change her surname to Jolie. Her court hearing is scheduled for September 28, 2026, so the legal change is still pending at the time of publication.
These developments have generated considerable attention because of the visibility of the Jolie-Pitt family, but the clearest documented story is Zahara’s transition into adulthood, completion of college and effort to establish her legal name.
Zahara Jolie-Pitt’s Life Beyond Her Parents’ Fame
Much of the public interest surrounding Zahara comes from her connection to two major Hollywood figures. Yet her own milestones tell a more specific story.
She grew up in an internationally known family, attended a prominent historically Black college, joined Alpha Kappa Alpha and earned a psychology degree. Her recent decision to seek the surname Jolie also represents a personal legal step that is still awaiting court approval.
For now, the most accurate description is Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, while Zahara Marley Jolie is the name she has publicly used and the name she is seeking to make legal.
FAQs
How old is Zahara Jolie-Pitt?
Zahara Jolie-Pitt is 21 years old as of September 2026. She was born on January 8, 2005, in Ethiopia.
Where did Zahara Jolie-Pitt go to college?
Zahara attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning in 2022.
What did Zahara Jolie-Pitt study?
Zahara earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College. She graduated on May 17, 2026.
Is Zahara Jolie-Pitt legally changing her name?
Yes. Zahara has petitioned a California court to change her name from Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt to Zahara Marley Jolie. The request was still pending as of September 12, 2026, with a hearing scheduled for September 28.
Is Zahara Jolie-Pitt a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha?
Yes. Zahara joined the Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated at Spelman College in November 2023.
Source list
- Spelman College: Commencement Details, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- California Courts: Adult name change, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- California Courts: Publish your request for an adult name change, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- PEOPLE: Angelina Jolie’s Daughter Zahara Drops Dad Brad Pitt’s Last Name as She Walks Across the Stage at Her Graduation, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- PEOPLE: Angelina Jolie Is ‘Proud’ of Daughter Zahara, 19, and ‘Her AKA Sisters’ at Spelman College, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- E! News: Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt’s Daughter Zahara Takes Next Step in Name Change Process, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- ABC News: Jolie in Ethiopia to pick up adopted baby, Access Date: September 12, 2026
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated: Our Story, Access Date: September 12, 2026
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I am an independent writer and digital researcher tracking everyday trends, tech shifts, and modern culture across the US. I focus on cutting through internet noise to bring you crisp, honest stories and practical takeaways you can actually use.
