Angelina Jolie: Zahara’s biological mother reveals the tragedy that made her give her up for adoption

Angelina Jolie and her ex-husband Brad Pitt met their adopted daughter Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt when she was just six months old. After two years of paperwork, the little girl was finally legally part of the family that also includes the children Maddox, Shiloh, Pax, Knox and Vivienne.

Behind Zahara, today 17 years old and born in Ethiopia, there is a story that her biological mother, Mentewab Dawit Lebiso, told weeks ago and that was broadcast by the Reuters agency. The woman narrated the tragic circumstances that led her to give up her daughter, whom she called Yemsrach (which means Good News) at birth, for adoption.

Mentewab Dawit Lebiso confided that she became pregnant after being raped. He clarified that before she did not talk about abuse because in her community it is frowned upon for a woman to be abused.

“He pulled out a knife and put a hand over my mouth so I wouldn’t scream. She raped me and then disappeared, “said Mentewab and replied Who magazine .

When the woman’s family found out about the pregnancy, they banished her and she had to take refuge in the city of Hosanna, in Ethiopia. Her daughter was born there and they were alone, her mother couldn’t work.

In the interview, the mother also referred to the moment when she decided that it was best to separate from her baby.

“My baby was on the verge of death. She was malnourished and was not even able to cry. I was desperate and decided to walk away, rather than see my girl dying,” she told Reuters.

She went to her family again when she saw the bad situation she and her daughter were in, so her mother was the one who recommended giving her up for adoption. Mentewab Dawit Lebiso says that if her situation had been different, she would not have separated from the baby.

Angelina, her mother

In the conversation, Mentewab talked about what she thinks about Angelina Jolie being Zahara’s mom. The first thing that she highlights is that she, together with Brad Pitt, gave the girl hope and a new life.

“I never refused the adoption of my daughter by Angelina Jolie.

I think my daughter is very lucky to be adopted by a globally famous woman. I wish you the best of luck. Angelina Jolie has been more of a mother to her than I have. She’s been with her since she was a baby, but that doesn’t mean I don’t miss her,” replied Who.