Angelina Jolie heads to Ethiopia, daughter Zahara's birthplace, ahead of her 15th birthday
Angelina Jolie and her kids met with Ethiopia President Sahle-Work Zewde during their visit to the East African country, which was extra-special as it is also the nation from where the 'Maleficent' actress adopted her daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, 14 years ago.
The visit came ahead of Zahara's 15th birthday on January 8, and she, along with her mother, got the special privilege of sitting down with her native country's president and the first female to be given the country’s highest political office. The special occasion was broadcasted by EBC, where the mother-daughter duo was seen dressed up in matching, billowing white dresses. They all gave Zewde big hugs during their meet and greet. The president's mother and sister were also present.
A source told Hollywood Life that the visit held special significance for both Angelina and Zahara as it reminded the former of the time she adopted her daughter and it was a return to her roots for the latter, who has grown up in the lap of glamor and glitz in the US.
“Angelina Jolie has taken the kids on a trip to Ethiopia, they left a couple of days ago. It’s where Zahara was born, so it’s important to Angelina that they keep the connection strong,” the source said, adding that Angelina also planned to educate her children about the nation's history during the trip. “They’ll be doing sightseeing and getting to know more about her beautiful birth country.”
This holiday season, the mother-of-six was seen spending as much time as possible with her kids, whom she shares with her ex-husband, Brad Pitt. She was seen shopping in Glendale, California, with her 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne on the day before Christmas Eve. Just a day prior to that, Angelina browsed the stores with Zahara and her son, Shiloh.