Angelina Jolie's oldest child just hit a major milestone. Maddox Jolie turned 25 on Wednesday, August 5.
The Maleficent actress adopted Maddox in 2002 when he was just seven months old. Since then, Maddox has become big brother to Angelina's five other children, who she shares with actor and ex-husband Brad Pitt.
"[Maddox is] smart and he's doing his work, but he's also wild. He's balanced in his teenage years," Angelina shared with Entertainment Tonight in 2019.
As he celebrates his 25th birthday, let's take a walk down memory lane to see Maddox Jolie as an adorable baby to a "wild" young adult.
© Getty ImagesAngelina Jolie adopted Maddox when she was 27
In 2001, Angelina fell in love with Maddox while filming Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia. She chose to adopt Maddox after returning to the country later that year and visiting the orphanage where he was living.
© Getty ImagesAngelina was Maddox's solo-parent for many years
While Angelina was in a relationship with Billy Bob Thornton at the time she adopted Maddox, she chose to file for adoption on her own. When she and Billy split later in 2002, the Changeling actress became a single parent.
© Getty ImagesWhy Angelina chose to adopt Maddox
The Hollywood actress, whose father is Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight, has spoken often about why she chose to adopt. Speaking with Vogue India in 2020 about her first adoption, Angelina said: "In 2001, I was in a school programme in Samlout playing blocks on the floor with a little kid and as clear as day I thought: 'My son is here.' A few months later I met baby [Maddox] at an orphanage. I can't explain it and am not one to believe in messages or superstition. But it was just real and clear."
© GC ImagesMaddox's life as an adult
Maddox studied biochemistry at South Korea's Yonsei University, where he also learned Korean. He followed in his mom's footsteps in September 2025 when he served as an assistant director on Angelina's movie, Couture, in which she stars as an American film director diagnosed with breast cancer as she arrives in France to create editorial content for a fictional Paris fashion show.
© WireImageMaddox distanced himself from Brad Pitt
Like his siblings, Maddox has recently distanced himself from his adopted father. In February 2026, he dropped the last name Pitt for his professional credits. The name change was first reported in September 2025 when Angelina's film Couture premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and production notes for the film revealed Maddox was listed as "Maddox Jolie."
And on Monday, July 13, he took the next step toward dropping "Pitt" from his name. Maddox published a legal notice in the Los Angeles Daily Journal, in accordance with California law requesting to go by Maddox Chivan Jolie.
© Getty Images
