What We Know About Pax Jolie-Pitt’s Adoption Story

While speaking to MSN, in 2007, Angelina Jolie shared Pax Jolie-Pitt’s adoption story: “He’s recently just come home. He spent 3 1/2 years of his life in one place, in one room, in this one little iron bed with 20 other kids, and having no choice for himself to do things, having no freedom.” The actor continued by explaining how Pax had a stunning transformation after his adoption, gushing, “He’s so loving and he’s wild and free ’cause he suddenly has freedom so he’s a little wild and crazy. But what a tough, remarkable little person,” (via People). 

Though Jolie was dating Brad Pitt at the time, she adopted Pax by herself because Vietnamese laws only permitted international adoptions for married couples or single people. Nevertheless, Pitt also legally adopted him in 2008. Pax was originally named Pham Quang Sang. Even his new name, Pax Thien, was a mix of cultures because Pax means peace in Latin, while Thien is sky in Vietnamese. They came together to give Pax’s name the beautiful meaning of “peaceful sky.” 

Speaking to TIME, orphanage director Nguyen Van Trung divulged that Pax dissolved into tears when Jolie first approached him. Pax’s primary caretaker, Bui Thi Thanh Tuyen, suggested that Pax might’ve been taken aback because the orphanage hadn’t told him he was getting adopted yet since they didn’t want to scare him. However, they got Pax ready by teaching him basic English phrases and helping him pack, making sure to include his favorite miniature plastic piano.