Angelina Jolie is facing a growing family crisis, and she’s turning to the one person she’s always trusted most—her eldest son Maddox.
According to Star Magazine, the 50-year-old actress has privately asked Maddox to come home as her younger children, particularly Pax and Shiloh, begin to rebel. The emotional plea comes after years of relying on Maddox to maintain peace in their complicated household.
Maddox, now in his early twenties, is currently living in New York City while pursuing his education. He resides in the same Manhattan apartment Angelina lived in during her 20s, but a source told Star Magazine that Jolie misses his presence deeply and needs his help managing her younger children.
Pax’s partying sparks concern
The trouble began with Pax, 21, who has reportedly been partying hard in Hollywood. On May 31, he was spotted looking intoxicated while out with friends, triggering alarm within the family. This follows a pattern of risky behavior, including two e-bike accidents and a hospitalization in July 2023.
A source close to the family said Angelina is struggling to rein him in. Pax thrives on adrenaline and chaos, which makes him especially hard to control. The insider explained that Maddox’s steady nature had once balanced Pax’s impulsiveness, acting as a calming influence when he lived at home.
Now, with Maddox away, Angelina feels the void more than ever. The source said she trusted Maddox with things she never shared with anyone else, even describing him as the “man of the house” after her 2016 split from Brad Pitt.
Shiloh distances herself while Angelina struggles to cope
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Shiloh has also started pulling away. Though not engaging in dangerous behavior like Pax, she has been staying out late with friends from her dance circle. Her increasing independence has added to Angelina’s emotional strain.
The actress has always shared a deep, almost spiritual bond with Maddox. She has described the moment they met at a Cambodian orphanage as life-changing. Maddox, then only three months old, opened his eyes in her arms, and Jolie said she immediately knew she could make him happy.
Sources say Jolie is proud of Maddox’s growth and independence but feels torn between letting him explore life and needing his stabilizing presence back home.
The tension is worsened by the ongoing rift with Brad Pitt, who remains estranged from Maddox. The source claimed Maddox stood up to Brad during a 2016 private plane incident, one that triggered their family’s public breakdown. Pitt has denied the allegations, but the damage remains.
Now, as Pax veers off course and Shiloh grows more distant, Angelina’s emotional anchor is hundreds of miles away—and she’s unsure how long she can hold everything together.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.