Angelina Jolie is one of the most renowned Hollywood actresses, known for her striking beauty, versatile acting, and humanitarian efforts. In addition to her career in film, Jolie has made headlines for her philanthropic work, especially her involvement with refugees and children. One of the most notable aspects of her personal life is her role as a mother. Over the years, she has adopted several children from different countries, and these adoptions have often sparked curiosity in the public and media. But why did Angelina Jolie choose to adopt children? Was it a decision driven by her humanitarian values, her own life experiences, or something else entirely?
In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Angelina Jolie’s decision to adopt, the children she has adopted, and the impact her actions have had on the world.
Early Exposure to Adoption And Humanitarian Causes
Angelina Jolie’s journey into adoption began in the early 2000s, and it was influenced by both her upbringing and her growing involvement with humanitarian causes. Her father, actor Jon Voight, is a well-known public figure, and her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was deeply compassionate and involved in various charitable activities. Jolie herself has spoken about how her mother’s compassion shaped her worldview. Marcheline was particularly concerned with the plight of children in underdeveloped countries, and this may have influenced Angelina’s desire to help children in need.
Jolie’s first significant exposure to adoption occurred in 2001, when she traveled to Cambodia to film the movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It was during this time that she witnessed the effects of poverty, war, and the ongoing crisis of children who had lost their parents. The experience was life-changing for her, and she later recalled it as a defining moment in her path to becoming a humanitarian.
In an interview, Jolie revealed that she had always wanted to adopt, but her time in Cambodia helped her fully understand the deep need for children, especially those orphaned by war, famine, and disease. Her own understanding of her privilege and the importance of giving back motivated her to take concrete steps toward adoption.
The Adoption of Maddox Chivan
Jolie’s first adopted child, Maddox Chivan, was a Cambodian boy whom she adopted in 2002. At the time, Angelina was a relatively new Hollywood star, but she had already garnered attention for her humanitarian efforts. She adopted Maddox from an orphanage in Cambodia, and the adoption was a significant milestone in her life.
Maddox was born in 2001, and he was just seven months old when Jolie decided to adopt him. Cambodia, at the time, was recovering from the aftereffects of the Khmer Rouge regime, and many children had been orphaned by war and poverty. Jolie’s choice to adopt Maddox from Cambodia was not just an act of motherhood but also a way to raise awareness about the issues facing the country.
Jolie had reportedly decided to adopt Maddox after spending time in an orphanage in Cambodia, where she witnessed the hardships children were enduring. In 2003, she said in an interview that adopting Maddox was the most fulfilling thing she had ever done. She described him as an “old soul” and mentioned that he had brought her a new sense of purpose and meaning in her life.
Her decision to adopt Maddox was driven not only by her love for children but also by a deep sense of responsibility. She felt compelled to offer a better life to children living in poverty and to be a role model for other celebrities to follow in using their platform for good. Maddox’s adoption marked the beginning of Jolie’s journey as a mother to adopted children.
The Adoption of Zahara Marley
In 2005, Angelina Jolie expanded her family once again, this time by adopting Zahara Marley, a young girl from Ethiopia. Zahara was only six months old when she came into Jolie’s care. The decision to adopt Zahara was influenced by a combination of factors, including Jolie’s desire to adopt a child from Africa.
Jolie had already visited Ethiopia in 2003, and it was during this visit that she first saw the extent of the humanitarian crisis affecting the country. She later admitted that while in Ethiopia, she had felt a strong connection to the country and its people. By adopting Zahara, Jolie not only provided a better life for a child in need but also helped bring global attention to the suffering in the Horn of Africa.
Zahara’s adoption was also a personal journey for Jolie. She was not just adopting a child from a different culture and background but also making a statement about the importance of cultural diversity in her family. Jolie spoke about how Zahara’s Ethiopian roots would always be an important part of her identity, and she promised to expose her daughter to the culture and history of Ethiopia.
Jolie’s adoption of Zahara received significant media attention, but it also underscored her commitment to raising awareness about global issues. The decision to adopt from Africa also reflected her growing involvement in the African continent’s humanitarian needs, particularly those related to children and poverty.
The Adoption of Pax Thien
In 2007, Jolie expanded her family once more, adopting Pax Thien, a boy from Vietnam. Pax was three years old when Jolie adopted him, and his adoption added another layer of complexity to her family’s dynamic. The decision to adopt Pax was driven by Jolie’s increasing focus on the plight of children in Vietnam.
Jolie and her then-partner, Brad Pitt, were both actively involved in supporting humanitarian projects in Vietnam. Jolie had visited the country several times and was particularly moved by the number of orphaned children living in institutions. She reportedly felt an immediate connection with Pax and knew that she was meant to be his mother.
Pax’s adoption also highlighted the personal nature of Jolie’s decision-making process. Although she and Pitt were not yet married at the time, Jolie made it clear that she had no intention of leaving Pax behind.
She felt that adopting him was part of her responsibility as an advocate for children who had been displaced by war, poverty, and natural disasters.
The Adoption of Shiloh Nouvel (Biological Child)
While much of Jolie’s adoption story is about children from different parts of the world, it is important to note that she also gave birth to a biological child, Shiloh Nouvel, in 2006. Shiloh’s birth marked a new chapter for the actress and her growing family.
Jolie’s decision to expand her family with Brad Pitt, whom she had met during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, came after years of adopting children. Despite the joy she experienced as a mother to her adopted children, Jolie said she wanted to experience pregnancy and childbirth, and Shiloh was born in Namibia.
Shiloh’s birth brought additional attention to the couple’s relationship, but for Jolie, the child represented the merging of her growing family. She described Shiloh as a child who brought balance and harmony to her life, complementing her already diverse and global family.
The Adoption of Vivienne Marcheline And Knox Léon
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s twins, Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Léon, were born in 2008 in France. Their birth completed the couple’s immediate family. Despite being biological children, the twins were brought up alongside Jolie’s adopted children, and their lives were intertwined with the values of compassion and charity that defined their mother’s life.
Though the twins were born after their siblings, Jolie’s decision to adopt children from various countries made her family dynamic different from most celebrity families. Her children had not only different birth origins but also different ethnic backgrounds, and their upbringing was grounded in a sense of multiculturalism and social responsibility.
A Mother’s Purpose
Ultimately, Angelina Jolie’s decision to adopt was driven by a deep sense of compassion and social responsibility. She has often stated that her adoptions were not just about her desire to have children, but about her commitment to making the world a better place by giving children in need a loving home.
Her decision to adopt children from countries affected by poverty, war, and disease was part of her broader humanitarian mission. As a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Goodwill Ambassador and later a Special Envoy, Jolie has used her platform to advocate for the rights of refugees and displaced persons. Through her personal experiences as a mother to adopted children, she has shown the world the power of love and the importance of raising awareness about global issues.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s decision to adopt was not driven by fame or the need to build a family for the sake of publicity. Instead, it was motivated by a deep commitment to making a difference in the world. Her adoptions have not only provided children with better lives but have also highlighted the challenges faced by children around the world who are suffering due to war, famine, and neglect.
