Mentewab Dawit Lebiso is the biological mother of Angelina Jolie’s adoptive daughter, Zahara Marley Jolie. She was forced to give up her daughter for adoption because she was a result of rape. When Mentewab realized that she was pregnant, she decided to keep the child but then swore to give up the child for adoption once born. Mentewab decided to give up Zahara for adoption because she felt that she might project onto the child and treat her badly.
Wanting to Talk to Her Daughter
In 2017, a poverty-stricken Mentewab Dawit Lebiso came into the limelight as she was begging actress Angelina Jolie to let her talk to her daughter. Mentewab began speaking of the events that led to her giving up her daughter for adoption. She spoke of the rape and mentioned that she desperately wanted to be a part of her daughter’s life.
Mentewab pleaded with Angelina Jolie to let her talk to her daughter. Mentewab made it clear that she did not want to take her back, but only to be part of her life and for her daughter to know that she has a family in Ethiopia that loves her.
While asking to talk to her daughter, Mentewab began praising Angelina Jolie for the good job she had done raising Zahara. She mentioned that Angelina gave her daughter something she could not give her. Mentewab noted that even though Zahara has lived with Angelina Jolie since she was a baby, it does not mean that she does not miss her daughter.
Her Daughter
Mentewab Dawit Lebiso gave birth to her daughter on Jan 8, 2005, in Hawassa, Ethiopia. After birth, Mentewab gave up her daughter to an orphanage so that she could be adopted. Even though she had given up her child, Mentewab was watching from a distance. While in the orphanage, American actress Angelina Jolie came to Africa and had an opportunity to visit the orphanage that Zahara was in. Angelina Jolie fell in love with her and began plans to adopt her.
Angelina Jolie went back to the United States and came back in July 2005 to adopt her. On their return back to the States, Zahara had a Salmonella infection, and they had to pass by a New York City hospital for her treatment. After a few days, she gained a full recovery, and her older brother Maddox adored her. He used to care for her, and he loves her.
When Angelina adopted Zahara, she was informed that her birth parents died of HIV.
Zahara Visited Ethiopia
Zahara has gotten the chance to visit various countries in the world with her adoptive mother, Angelina Jolie. In 2019, Zahara and her mother, Angelina Jolie visited Ethiopia. During the visit, Zahara did not have a chance to meet her birth mother, Mentewab Dawit Lebiso. However, Zahara met the first female president of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde. They were able to discuss a number of issues ranging from Ethiopian history, culture, and education.
Following the meeting, Angelina Jolie posted a picture of the three on her social media platforms.
