In July 2005, Angelina Jolie adopted her first daughter, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, in Ethiopia when she was only 6-months-old. However, 12 years later, Zahara’s biological mother has requested to reconnect with her daughter.
Speaking to the DailyMail, Mentewab Dawit Lebiso explained that she is eager to be a part of Zahara’s life.
“I just want her to know that I am alive and here and long to be able to speak with her,” 31-year-old Lebiso said. “I do not want my daughter back but just to be in contact with her and be able to call her up and talk with her.”
While Lebiso finds it difficult to admit that The Hollywood actress has given her daughter an amazing life, it has not stopped her longing to have some form of a relationship with the 12-year-old.
“Angelina has been more of a mother to her than I have ever been,” she said. “She has been with her since she was a baby, but that does not mean I do not miss her. I miss her all the time. I think about her every day and long to hear her voice or see her face. I know when she has a birthday, but I am sad because I can’t celebrate it with her. I would so much want to celebrate with her on her birthday and other special days.”
Lebiso’s request comes in the midst of Jolie and Brad Pitt’s divorce and custody battle over Zahara, 12, and their other five children, Maddox Jolie-Pitt, 15, Pax Jolie-Pitt, 13, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, 10, Knox Jolie-Pitt, 8, and Vivienne Jolie-Pitt, 8.
The former couple currently have a voluntary temporary custody agreement in place—granting Pitt supervised visitation rights as Jolie holds primary physical custody—while they’re still working out the official custody arrangement, which has become highly publicised of late.
Following Jolie’s file for divorce, federal and local authorities investigated allegations that the actor was abusive toward Maddox on a private flight. The Allied actor was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Last week, Pitt and Jolie released their first joint statement together since their divorce, announcing that the two be moving forward in a private forum.
This article originally appeared on WHO
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