The birth mother of Angelina Jolie’s adopted Ethiopian daughter insists she is happy the actress has given the two-year-old a better life.
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Mentewab Dawit – who deserted Zahara when she was just five months old because she had no food to feed her – denied reports she wanted Zahara back and praised Angelina for giving her a home.
She said: ‘I have never disputed the adoption. It was something I never said. I decided to flee rather than watch her die.
‘I think my daughter is a very fortunate human being to be adopted by a world famous lady. I wish them all the success they both deserve. I have no ill-feelings towards her.’
When she left, Mentewab’s mother searched for her, but believing she had died put Zahara up for adoption. Last week, it was revealed Angelina’s adoption of Zahara was ‘legal and irrevocable’, amid claims Mentewab wanted her back.
Adoption agency Wide Horizons for Children said the Beowulf actress – who was initially told Zahara was an AIDS orphan – was the victim of ‘media hype and unethical journalists’.
The agency approved the Hollywood star’s adoption of Zahara in July 2005. Angelina was accompanied by her partner Brad Pitt when she went to collect Zahara in 2005. Brad then formally became Zahara’s adopted father in January 2006.
The pair also have two other adopted children – Pax, three, and six-year-old Maddox – along with a 17-month-old biological daughter Shiloh.
