EXCLUSIVE: Brangelina to adopt a Syrian child

Brad and Angelina are keen to expand their family
The Hollywood couple have made no secret of the fact that they want to expand their family of six children.

They already have Cambodian-born Maddox, 13, Vietnamese Pax, 11, Ethiopian Zahara, 10, biological daughter Shiloh, eight, and six-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.

A business associate, who has known Brad and Angelina for more than a decade, said yesterday: “She has been moved to tears on several occasions over the plight of youngsters orphaned in the Syrian conflict.

“Now she has sorted out her health issues, she and Brad believe the time is right to adopt another orphan from there, most likely a daughter.”

Angelina, 39, had surgery last month to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes and two years ago had a double mastectomy after learning she carries a gene mutation which greatly increases the risks of developing breast and ovarian cancers.

She has been moved to tears on several occasions over the plight of youngsters orphaned in the Syrian conflict

A friend of Brad and Angelina

She has made at least six visits to Syrian refugee camps since 2012 in her role as a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. According to latest reports, at least 70,000 children have lost their fathers and a further 3,700 have had both parents either killed or imprisoned or have been separated from them while fleeing the civil war.

In an impassioned plea in November 2013 the actress called on the world to act “to save a generation of traumatised, isolated and suffering Syrian children from catastrophe”.

Now she and husband Brad, 51, are ready to follow up on her appeal by legally adopting a Syrian child.

Another friend revealed: “This is something that has become very close to their hearts. They would like to accomplish it, if possible, before the end of summer because, even though they are both busy, their diaries are relatively light for most of 2015.

“Angelina’s feeling good about turning 40 in June with a clean bill of health but what will make her happiness complete is seeing a new little face at the dinner table.”