Angelina Jolie's Daughter Zahara Was Adopted as Maddox Asked for an African Brother or Sister - More about Her

Angelina Jolie's eldest daughter, Zahara Jolie Pitt, was adopted from Ethiopia after the actress' son, Maddox Jolie Pitt, expressed his desire to have an African sister.

Adoption may not be for everyone, but for Angeline Jolie, it was a decision she easily made when adopting her second child, Zahara. The A-list celebrity went through the necessary steps to proceed with Zahara's adoption after doing the same for her first child, Maddox, in Cambodia.

While Angelina doesn't shy away from the topic, she remained tight-lipped about the specific details regarding the adoption. One of the known documents she had to secure was a passport stamp for a newborn Ethiopian girl.

Maddox Jolie Pitt Played a Role in His Sister Zahara's Adoption

Adopting for a second time was no surprise for the "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" star's close friends as she was open about her desire to have another child. Maddox also played a significant role in Zahara's adoption, as Angelina claimed:

"[Maddox] is in love with Africa, so he has been asking for an African brother or sister."

Maddox also went to the orphanage with his mom and realized how much care and love kids needed. "Kids understand sadness and poverty and hunger," Angelina said.

Zahara Battled Salmonella upon Her Arrival in the US

When Zahara came to the US, she had a low-grade fever and signs of a fungal infection, possibly due to malnutrition. Her mother was believed to have had AIDS before dying, while her father's identity remains unknown.

Zahara was treated for a salmonella infection through antibiotics at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Fortunately, when she was also given fluids for dehydration, Zahara left the hospital healthy and well.

In 2020, Angelina also revealed that Zahara underwent surgery due to a medical issue. The actress opened up about their challenges in an essay titled, "Why Girls Deserve Love and Respect on International Women's Day," but did not elaborate further. She wrote:

"I have spent the last two months in and out of surgeries with my eldest daughter, and days ago watched her younger sister go under the knife for a hip surgery."

In the essay, Angelina praised her children for caring for one another amidst the circumstances. As a mother, she was overwhelmed with joy to witness such love from her kids.

Zahara Grew up to Be a Well-Rounded Young Woman

Raising children of different races was undoubtedly no easy feat for Angelina, especially with the prevalent racism and discrimination in the country. It made her realize that the US needs laws and policies that address such issues and protect other races.

Besides her advocacy to end racism, Angelina also advocates for climate change. In an interview about climate, Angelina proudly talked about Zahara and her influence on the star's life.

In 2022, Zahara started her college education at Spelman College. The "Maleficent" star proudly dropped off her daughter at the campus, where Holloman and school president Dr. Helene Gayle greeted them.

Besides Zahara and Maddox, Angelina adopted a son, Pax Thien, from Vietnam. She also has three biological children, Shiloh, and twins, Knox and Vivienne, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt.

Unfortunately, since divorcing the Hollywood actor, the former couple's children's relationship with Brad tarnished. Specifically, Maddox Jolie Pitt, who Brad adopted after marrying Angelina, stopped speaking to his father.

Maddox, Angelina's first adopted child, reportedly had a physical altercation with Brad while on a plane. They have since been estranged. Nevertheless, Maddox is growing up well and has already made significant achievements in Hollywood, such as becoming the executive producer of a film.