Why Angelina Jolie Believed Maddox Was Always Destined to Be Her Son

In 2002, Angelina Jolie became a mother for the first time when she decided to adopt Maddox while she was married to Billy Bob Thornton. This life-changing decision marked a turning point in her journey, both personally and emotionally. From the very beginning, Jolie felt a deep and special connection with the boy, a bond that would shape her path as a mother and humanitarian.

When Angelina first arrived in Cambodia, she knew in her heart and said to herself, “My son is here.”

Angelina always knew she wanted to adopt. “Some little girls learn about having a baby, but when I was really young, and I heard about what an orphan was, I couldn’t wait to find my family across the world and bring us all together and make a home,” the actress shared.

When she visited an orphanage in Cambodia, the staff put Maddox, previously known as Rath Vibol, in her arms, and he stayed asleep. And then he opened his eyes, he smiled, and she cried. Jolie says she felt like, “This kid was okay being in my arms.”

Maddox changed Angelina’s life.

Before becoming a mother, when things would go sideways, Angelina would become depressed or self-destructive, but as a maternal figure, she can’t afford to do any of that. She shared, “I’ve never known this kind of relationship or love before.”

In 2005, Maddox became a big brother to Zahara, and in 2007, to Pax. Jolie later welcomed her 3 kids with her now ex-husband Brad Pitt, Shiloh, in 2006, and twins Vivienne and Knox 2 years later.

In the Jolie household, adoption and orphanage are positive words.

In their family, adoption and orphanage are looked upon fondly. Angelina said all adopted kids are a beautiful mystery that comes into people’s lives and that “They have roots that you do not. Honor them. Learn from them. It’s the most amazing journey to share. They are not entering your world, you are entering each other’s worlds,” she added.

Angelina made sure to incorporate Maddox’s cultural background into his upbringing.

Jolie bought a house in Cambodia for Maddox, who often goes back and forth to his birthplace. Moreover, she founded the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, which focuses on the Asian country’s environmental conservation, education, health, and infrastructure.

Over the years, Maddox, now 23 years old, has blossomed into a versatile young adult with diverse interests. In 2019, he enrolled in a South Korean college to pursue his passion for biotechnology. He also became his mother’s right hand in the entertainment industry, serving as an executive producer for Jolie’s critically acclaimed film, First They Killed My Father.

“He is very capable and always catches me by surprise,” Jolie told in 2017. “He was practicing flying, and then, the other day, I got a call saying, ‘So, Madd can fly solo,’ and I nearly dropped the phone!”

The Girl, Interrupted star shared that her son also speaks several languages, having taken courses in French and Russian.

“I hear him speaking clean, fluent French, and I’m told he’s reached a certain level in German, but I have no idea,” she said. “He doesn’t do it in front of me.” Maddox also learned to speak Korean before starting college.

During a December 2024 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Jolie revealed that Maddox had learned how to fly.

“I’m a pilot,” she said. “And my son Maddox is also training to be a pilot. In fact, he’s now a pilot.”

Despite everything, the actress is criticized for not handling her parenting duties properly, allowing her children too much freedom. Read the full details here.