Angelina Jolie adopted Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt from Ethiopia in 2005. The decision to adopt Zahara was made by Jolie and her then-boyfriend Brad Pitt after they visited Ethiopia together.
The couple decided to adopt a child from the country, and they chose Zahara, who was six months old at the time, from an orphanage in Addis Ababa. The adoption process was finalized on July 6, 2005. The couple’s decision to adopt children from different countries reflects their commitment to building a diverse and internationally blended family.
Zahara’s adoption initially sparked controversy as she was thought to be an AIDS orphan. Recent revelations from her biological mother, Mentewab Dawit Lebiso, shed light on the complex circumstances surrounding Zahara’s birth. Despite the challenges, both Angelina Jolie and Mentewab Dawit Lebiso express gratitude for the love and care Zahara receives.
In 2017, Zahara’s grandmother put forth a heartwarming plea for Angelina Jolie to facilitate contact between Zahara and her Ethiopian family. Jolie has been dedicated to ensuring her adopted children are connected to their cultural roots, making trips to Ethiopia to celebrate adoption anniversaries.