Public interest has swirled around Zahara Jolie-Pitt ever since she joined the Jolie-Pitt family at 6 months old. Angelina Jolie has remained open about the circumstances behind the adoptions of Zahara and her brothers, Maddox and Pax Jolie-Pitt. In an interview with Vogue India, Angelina spoke of valuing her adopted children's cultural identities, saying, "When they are from another race and foreign land, that mystery, that gift, is so full. For them, they must never lose touch with where they came from. ... Honour 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."
Angelina Jolie had previously believed Zahara to be an orphan. However, in 2007, Reuters found Zahara's birth mother, Mentewab Dawit. In a harrowing interview, Dawit explained that she had been a victim of sexual violence and was unable to care for Zahara at the time of her birth. To make matters worse, the infant was sick and malnourished. "I was desperate and decided to run away, rather than see my child dying," she told the publication. Fearing Dawit had died, her mother put the child up for adoption.
Since the news broke, Zahara's birth mother has spoken to several news outlets, maintaining that she is thankful for the life that Zahara was given. Reflecting on the adoption, Dawit told Reuters, "I wish them both all the success they deserve."
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