Zahara Jolie-Pitt has lived a life of privilege and access, but her life started out at the opposite end of the spectrum. Zahara’s biological mother became pregnant after being sexually assaulted by a stranger. Mentewab Dawit Lebiso had just left the construction site where she worked one night in the spring of 2004 when she was attacked by the man. “He pulled a dagger, put one hand on my mouth, so that I could not scream,” she told Reuters in 2007. Mentewab kept the pregnancy a secret for as long as she could. “I feared the consequences of being raped in a community where rape is considered a taboo, even if what happened happened forcibly,” she said. However, her mother was supportive and encouraged her to keep the baby. Mentewab tried, but her postpartum experience was far from easy. She struggled to breastfeed and believed her baby was falling ill because of it. In her turmoil, Mentewab left home. “I was desperate and decided to run away, rather than see my child dying,” she said. Unable to provide for the baby, Mentewab’s mother decided to put her up for adoption. Mentewab knows her mother’s decision gave Zahara the best opportunity imaginable. Jolie seemingly was unaware of the story. In 2006, she appeared to believe Zahara’s biological mother was dead. “Her mother died of AIDS and so they wouldn’t have had any funds to send her to school,” she told NBC News. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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