Angelina Jolie says her fighting spirit is back, helped by children who are shedding Pitt surname

In a recent Variety interview, Angelina Jolie, 51, said her "fighting spirit" has returned after years of personal turmoil following her divorce from Brad Pitt. She credited her six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne—for encouraging her to regain confidence and pursue new opportunities, noting they now see her as “the person who knows me best” and still love her.

Since the divorce was finalized in December 2024, all of Jolie’s children have taken steps to drop the Pitt surname. Shiloh was the first to legally remove it, followed by Maddox, Zahara, Knox and Vivienne, who now use only the Jolie name in professional and legal contexts. Pax Jolie‑Pitt remains the sole sibling still using the Pitt surname but maintains contact with his paternal relatives, attending family events such as his cousin Sydney’s engagement dinner.

Jolie also revealed she had considered leaving acting to focus on directing and humanitarian work, but continued acting to provide stability for her children. She plans to spend more time abroad once her youngest twins turn 18, reflecting a shift toward personal freedom and travel.