The Stunning Hair Transformation Of Zahara Jolie-Pitt

When it comes to Angelina Jolie's children, there's no denying that the Jolie-Pitt siblings all have incredible style. However, while they're all still young enough to live a life away from the spotlight, one of them has shown a greater passion for fashion and style than the others — Zahara Jolie-Pitt. From the stunning gowns she's worn to her mother's red-carpet events to her casual looks, it's clear that Zahara is a makeup, fashion, and hair girlie. And today, our sole focus is on her hair.

From the simple updos she's worn as a child to the intricate and meaningful hairstyles she rocks today, Zahara's hair evolution is just as fun and stylish as she is. Even though she is only in her early 20s, her hair has undergone some changes, and looking back at them makes us even more excited for the stunning hairstyles she is bound to serve us in the future!

Zahara Jolie-Pitt was adopted by Angelina Jolie as a five-month-old orphan from Ethiopia in 2005. Subsequently, she was also adopted by Angelina's then-partner Brad Pitt a year later. "All adopted children come with a beautiful mystery of a world that is meeting yours," Angelina Jolie told Vogue. "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. They have roots that you do not."

At the time, the family was often photographed by paparazzi, who relentlessly followed every move they made. In photos from the late noughties, young Zahara was mostly rocking her natural hair tied up in one or two buns to prevent her from getting hair in her face. Of course, since she was so young at the time, it's safe to say that these hairstyle choices were her parents' rather than her own.

As Zahara Jolie-Pitt entered her tween years in the 2010s, it became evident that fashion and beauty had sparked her interest. Even though she was still young, Zahara was slowly showcasing her personality through her choices, and experimenting with different hairstyles was a natural part of that.

As a curly-haired girl, straight hair piqued Zahara's curiosity, so it's not surprising that she was occasionally spotted with her hair straightened. This also resulted in her hair looking very long, which was a new look for the young celebrity child. However, even though she played around with hairstyles — presumably even more in private when she wasn't photographed, Zahara's go-to was still the classic ponytail — a simple and convenient choice that allowed her to look adorable while always being ready to have a fun time. 

When Zahara Jolie-Pitt entered her teens as the 2010s were coming to a close, her style became more refined and sophisticated. Of course, there are plenty of style secrets we can learn from Angelina Jolie, and we have no doubt that Zahara picked up a few tips and tricks from her famous mother. By this time, Zahara was often attending industry events and red-carpet premieres with her mother and siblings, and for them, she would usually opt for a chic updo.

As mentioned, her style revolved around simplicity and sophistication, and a classic updo usually allowed Zahara's earrings to have a moment. Occasionally, the teen would play around with the positioning of her updo, allowing it to sit more on one side like she did when attending the "Maleficent: Mistress Of Evil" European premiere in 2019. But regardless of the kind of updo she wore, she would often pair it with her natural hair and always ended up looking gorgeous. While Zahara's hair choices were still simple and casual, it became clear that she was a joyful and happy teen, so it's fitting that she opted for effortless updos to match her carefree personality. "She is one of those people who laughs with her whole body. Completely open and full of joy," Angelina Jolie said of her daughter at the time in a Hello! interview.

In the early 2020s, it was clear that Zahara Jolie-Pitt was all grown up, and it showed in her fashion, relationships, and choices. In 2022, she became a freshman at Spelman College, and with that, her style changed noticeably. Most of all, Zahara was ready to explore traditional hairstyles like braids. Weaved into her hair were often fun colors like copper, which she rocked to the 2021 U.K. premiere of her mother's film "Eternals." Similarly, in 2022, Zahara was seen with blue braids in Washington, D.C., where she and Angelina Jolie supported the Violence Against Women Act.

"My daughter is from Ethiopia, one of my children ... And I have learned so much from her," Angelina Jolie revealed during a Time 100 Talk of Zahara's embracing of her heritage. "She is my family, but she is an extraordinary African woman and her connection to her country, her continent, is her own and it's something I only stand back in awe of."

Now in her early 20s, Zahara Jolie-Pitt has blossomed into a stunning young woman whom we will undeniably see more of. More recently, she has given us some beautiful hairstyles we haven't seen her rock before. While updos remain a Zahara-favorite, the young student likes to have more fun with them nowadays.

In early 2025, Zahara attended the Golden Globe Awards alongside Angelina Jolie, and while both ladies looked absolutely breathtaking, we couldn't help but notice that Zahara was exploring something new and fun with her hair — swooped edges. Combined with a couple of loose, face-framing tendrils, the sleek updo with a messy bun was reminiscent of Y2K hairstyles. Similarly, when she attended the 2025 Palm Springs International Film Awards with her mother, Zahara gave us yet another hairstyle we hadn't seen her rock before — a long curly ponytail with a deep side part and tendrils on one side. As she keeps exploring what her 20s have to offer, it seems as if Zahara Jolie-Pitt is all about having fun with her look, so we can't wait to see where her hair journey takes her next!

Now, if you want some more hair inspiration, be sure to also check out the biggest hair transformations of 2025 so far!