The Transformation Of Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt

There's nothing ordinary about your birth when your parents are as famous as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt and his twin sister Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt were born on July 12, 2008, and instead of just their parents and close family excitedly waiting for them to enter the world, the global population was just as eager to meet them. Knox and his sister were famous before they were even born, and media outlets have provided detailed information about their birth and lives ever since. Knox was born at 6:27 p.m. and is older than his sister by one minute — with his father Brad Pitt cutting both their umbilical cords.

The world has watched Knox grow up over the years, dealing with his parents' divorce and navigating a global pandemic. While life as a famous kid can't be easy, Knox appears to be handling it just fine, and doesn't shy away from appearing in public. While we're still speculating on whether or not he'll become a movie star one day, we're happy to simply watch Knox grow into a young man in the meantime.

Even though their parents are both U.S. citizens, Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt were born in Niece, France, at the Fondation Lenval hospital overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Given their parents' fame, the world was eagerly awaiting the twins' arrival, and so was their mother, Angelina Jolie. She was advised to stay at the hospital for surveillance two weeks prior to their birth. When the twins finally made their arrival on July 12, 2008 via Cesarean section, Jolie and Brad Pitt were elated.

Michel Sussmann, the doctor who delivered the twins, later told Europe 1 radio (via ABC) that, despite having years of experience delivering babies, he couldn't help but feel a little nervous when the time came to deliver the twins. "It wasn't pressure on a medical level, because I have been practicing for a certain number of years, but it's true that there was pressure due to the couple's fame," he said at the time. He also said that Pitt was at Jolie's side during the birth, and even though he was "perfectly calm," emotions ran high when he heard the twins' first cries.

Outside the hospital, reporters gathered to welcome Knox and his sister and hopefully get a glimpse of the Jolie-Pitt family as they left. The Nice Matin newspaper dedicated several pages to their birth, and Nice's mayor, Christian Estrosi, even signed the twins' birth certificates.

The fanfare that surrounded Knox Jolie-Pitt and his sister's birth was enough to predict that news outlets would pay handsomely to get their hands on their pictures. While the press didn't manage to get a snap of the twins Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, their parents eventually did a shoot with Getty Images, and the pictures were reportedly sold to People and Hello! for a jaw-dropping amount.

Getty Images didn't reveal how much the magazines paid, but some media outlets reported that it amounted to a whopping $11 million. However, a source in the industry later revealed the number was higher than what both People and Hello! paid together, so we're still left wondering how much these outlets really spent to get those first shots. One thing's for sure: It definitely wasn't cheap. Being the humanitarians that they are, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donated the money from the twins' photographs to charity.

It's no secret that twins share a very special bond, so it was no surprise when Angelina Jolie revealed to People that Knox Jolie-Pitt and his twin sister are extra close. 

According to research published by the University of North Dakota, results showed that twins tend to get along more with their twin siblings than their non-twin siblings. While we can't say for sure whether Knox and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt like their other siblings a little bit less than each other, their special connection was evident early in their lives. 

More than a year after their birth, the "Lara Croft" star told People that she could see the twins' connection grow on a daily basis. "When you look at them, it's like they were made for each other," she said. "They smile at each other, sniff each other, touch each other. It's just beautiful." And, like most twins, Knox and his sister also have very different personalities. "Knox is more the quiet one, very relaxed, while Viv is a little more aggressive and loud," she revealed.

Knox Jolie-Pitt was homeschooled for quite some time alongside his other siblings, and even though they weren't in a traditional school setting, Knox was still learning a ton — his mother made sure of that. A family source told People in 2017 that Jolie's kids had a variety of at-home tutors seeing to their education. "They have tutors for all kinds of subjects, including different languages and instruments," the source revealed. Knox also spent plenty of time taking part in after-school activities like skateboarding and soccer as well as self-defense classes.

For the "Girl, Interrupted" actor, it's important her kids receive the best education possible, and Knox can definitely testify that being homeschooled can actually allow you the opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects and fields. "It bothered me how little I was taught in school," Jolie revealed. "I do worry about my children's education. I homeschool partially because they are from around the world and it's very ... I didn't want them to have the same education I had when it came to Vietnam or Cambodia," she added. Brad Pitt, however, wasn't entirely on board with the homeschool idea and pushed for Knox and his siblings to attend a traditional school after he and Jolie split, a source told Us Weekly, adding that Pitt doesn't want the kids "isolated being homeschooled."

Most people probably expected Knox Jolie-Pitt to step into the spotlight as soon as he could walk, but despite being known globally thanks to his very famous parents, Knox has mostly been operating under the radar. Until 2016, he didn't have a single acting credit to his name. However, with parents as famous as Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, it's impossible not to get roped into a project every once in a while, even if it is behind the scenes.

While "Kung Fu Panda 3" was in the works, few people knew that four of Angelina Jolie's kids, including Knox, were part of the cast that voiced some of the characters. While most of us would do anything for this kind of opportunity, Knox and his siblings, which included Zahara, Pax, and Shiloh, weren't all that eager. "They were kind of shy," Jolie told Entertainment Tonight. "They don't really want to be actors, but I didn't want them to miss the opportunity. They came in, and they had a lot of fun with it." The Jolie-Pitt clan worked together to make panda noises, and Knox got to voice Ku Ku, a young panda who is one of a set of triplets. Thanks to his mom encouraging him to take on the project, Knox got to have his name appear alongside a stellar cast that included stars like Jackie Chan, Kate Hudson, and Dustin Hoffman.

There's no doubt that the announcement of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's divorce in 2016 affected Knox Jolie-Pitt. The ongoing custody battle that ensued was a very stressful time for Knox and his siblings. "It's just very, very jarring for the kids, to suddenly have their family ripped apart," Brad Pitt told GQ in 2017, adding that his main focus was to help them come out stronger at the other end of the divorce. Angelina Jolie felt the same way, telling Vanity Fair that same year, "We care for each other and care about our family, and we are both working towards the same goal." The actor added that she was proud of how Knox and his siblings were handling the divorce. "They've been very brave. They were very brave. ... In times they needed to be," she told the outlet.

Knox's parents were finally declared legally single in 2019. At the time, a source told Entertainment Tonight that things were slowly improving. "Brad and Angelina have come a long way," the source said. "Their communication has improved tremendously and they're both dedicated to co-parenting. Their kids have a custody schedule and that's made a huge difference for the whole family."

It's no secret that Knox Jolie-Pitt's parents have worked tirelessly to make the world a better place, and it's clear that their desire to help others has rubbed off on their kids. Knox and his siblings clearly aren't afraid to get their hands dirty when it comes to doing something for the greater good, as was proven when they were spotted selling organic dog treats in a public park with their mom.

Former "Parenthood" star Sarah Ramos caught a glimpse of the Jolie-Pitt clan's dog-treat stand and took a picture of herself with all of them in the background. She posted the photo to her Instagram account and gushed about the surprising experience.

Of course, Knox and his siblings weren't selling dog treats to get extra pocket money. According to Ramos' post, they were donating the proceeds to Hope for Paws, a charity that works to rescue homeless dogs and provide them with loving homes. It's clear that Knox and his siblings share a love for animals.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Knox Jolie-Pitt was confined to his home just like the rest of the world. Fortunately for him, he had all his siblings and his mom by his side during the lockdown, but one issue could have caused them to be separated.

Before the onset of the pandemic, Knox's sister, Zahara, underwent surgery. While she ended up making a full recovery and returned home, this was a stressful time for the family, and changed their whole mindset surrounding the pandemic as they were thankful to all be home together. "We were so happy she was okay that we entered lockdown in a different state of mind," Jolie told Vogue, adding that the pandemic "made us all feel very human together. There's something beautiful about that."

While Knox's dad Brad Pitt wasn't at home with them, Jolie noted that their house was only a five-minute drive from his, so Knox and his siblings could easily go over to visit their father. Knox also didn't have to stay holed up inside every day; as Jolie noted, the house has "pathways and places to walk and think."

Most would probably expect the Jolie-Pitt clan to enter the entertainment industry at some point, but so far, none of them have taken that path. While Knox Jolie-Pitt lent his talents to "Kung Fu Panda 3," he hasn't been a part of other projects since. 

When Angelina Jolie made an appearance as a guest editor on BBC Radio 4's "Woman's Hour" in 2016, she revealed that none of her kids were planning on going into acting. She seemed pretty relieved about it, adding that they had other interests. Jolie noted that her kids had an interest in music, and that Knox was learning sign language. Moreover, the Jolie-Pitt offspring was also spotted making his way to a martial arts class in 2021.

Angelina Jolie also tries to involve Knox in her humanitarian projects. "We think of the people who are going through difficult situations, but also talk about their resilience and strength, we admire them, they're heroes in my house," she said on "Woman's Hour" (via Newsweek). "My kids have met children who are refugees and have friends who are refugees." Given his mother's attempts to involve him in these types of projects, Knox might very well have an interest in pursuing similar endeavors when he's older.

Knox Jolie-Pitt consistently shows up for his mom whenever she releases a new project. In 2021, he and his siblings were spotted attending the "Eternals" premiere in Los Angeles with Angelina Jolie. They all looked happy to be by her side, and Jolie previously told People that she couldn't be more thankful for their support. Knox loves to see his mom kick butt on screen, and he and his siblings told her as much. "What's really moving to me is that they want to see me strong, and so it's less to see me in a film, but they're just happy I will be strong and having fun," Jolie shared.

Knox also shows up for his mom by doing the little things, like planning Mother's Day surprises with the help of his brothers and sisters, as Jolie told Extra. She didn't go into a lot of detail about their specific plans, but said that it's always a surprise and that it usually makes her cry. "It is just the knowing that they are doing something together, and thinking of something together, and that they want to, and that they think it is important always makes me cry," Jolie told the outlet, adding that Knox and his siblings love to make fun of her when she gets teary-eyed at their surprises.

Angelina Jolie is often spotted spending time with her kids, and Knox Jolie-Pitt clearly loves to be out and about with his mom. He also shares some of her interests. Jolie got her pilot's license in 2004 after Knox's older brother, Maddox, inspired her to give flying a shot. And Knox took an interest in flying as well, as Jolie revealed, he's practically a born-pilot. 

The actor's youngest son took up flying lessons at the humble age of 9 and instantly loved it. "I love being up in the air," she told People. "It makes me crazy happy to see him discover it. He still needs help with the pedals, but won't for long."

Aside from flying planes with Jolie by his side, Knox also enjoys doing everyday activities with his mom. They've been photographed enjoying lunch dates together and have visited Universal Studios theme park in Florida. They were spotted walking the streets of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2022, splurging on some magical merchandise, including wizard candy and a wand, before heading to The Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade for something to eat.

Angelina Jolie has made it clear that Knox Jolie-Pitt probably won't follow in her footsteps as an actor. Still, fans have plenty of burning questions about his hobbies and interests. In August 2024, the junior celeb was spotted at a boxing gym in Los Angeles, proving that he has an athletic side. In a series of paparazzi photos, Knox can be seen exiting the gym while clutching a pair of boxing gloves and some protective pads. With his sporty attire and tape-covered hands, Knox looked like a well-seasoned boxer. The 16-year-old maintained his sharp focus even while flashing a quick glance at the paparazzi.

Knox isn't the first Jolie-Pitt child to show off their athleticism. His older sister Shiloh Jolie is an accomplished hip-hop dancer, and has been spotted busting a move at several Los Angeles dance studios. In 2022, Shiloh appeared in a group dance video posted by Hamilton Evans Choreography on YouTube. The video went so viral that it spurred a reaction from Shiloh's father Brad Pitt. The actor heaped praise on his daughter, telling Entertainment Tonight, "It brings a tear to the eye, yeah." Like his big sister, Knox appears to have a passion for sports. And since talent clearly runs in the Jolie-Pitt family, we bet he's got some formidable boxing skills.

Not only is Knox Jolie-Pitt thriving as an athlete, but he also has a knack for fashion. In July 2023, the mini-celeb showed off his style while making a coffee run in Los Angeles. Knox was joined by three of his older siblings, Pax, Zahara, and Shiloh. The quartet looked cheerful — not to mention incredibly stylish — while strolling around with their beverages. Knox wore the perfect streetwear ensemble, which included baggy cargo pants, grayscale sneakers, and a classic white tee.

Knox made another stylish appearance in December 2023 when he joined Angelina Jolie at her artisan space, Atelier Jolie. For this outing, Knox chose a streetwear look that consisted of cargo pants, a slouchy sweatshirt, and high top sneakers. He also donned medium-length hair with a sleek undercut. By the looks of it, Knox has been taking fashion pointers from his ever-stylish parents.

Speaking with Vogue in 2023, Angelina stated that she and her kids don't consider themselves "fashionable" despite being involved in the fashion industry. However, the actor explained that she does view fashion as an important form of self-expression. As she told the publication, "I've always wanted to take my family to a place where I can say: Does your clothing really represent you? Absolutely you? And do you love it?"

In 2024, Knox Jolie-Pitt had fans buzzing when he attended the Governors Awards with his mother, Angelina Jolie. For his red carpet walk, Knox donned a tailored tuxedo with a black bowtie. He also sported a buzz cut, which harkened back to Brad Pitt's hairstyle circa the early 2000s. Knox hadn't graced the red carpet since 2021 when he attended the "Eternals" premiere with his mom and siblings. Naturally, fans couldn't stop raving about how much he'd changed during that time. Knox's soft, childlike features were noticeably more mature, and he was even rocking a faint mustache. Most notably, Knox's height had skyrocketed, and he now stood as tall as his mom.

Shortly after Knox's red carpet stroll, Angelina Jolie told "Good Morning America" that her kids are not fond of the limelight. "None of my children want to be in front of the camera at this time," the A-lister explained. "They're quite private." Although Knox is unlikely to become a fixture on the red carpet, the mother-son duo purportedly had a great time at the Governors Awards. "Angelina felt so proud having Knox by her side," a source told Radar shortly after the event. "He typically prefers to stay out of the spotlight and Angelina respects that decision, but he asked if he could join her, and of course she was thrilled that he wanted to be there. She couldn't be more proud of him, and they had a really memorable evening together."