Hollywood icon and humanitarian Angelina Jolie recently made a visit to Addis Ababa, drawing worldwide attention to the Ethiopian capital’s vibrant culinary scene and its significant strides in healthcare development.
According to capitalethiopia.com, her visit, which included an elegant dinner at one of Ethiopia’s premier fine dining establishments and a visit to a leading medical facility, highlighted not only the cultural richness of the Ethiopian capital but also its strides in advancing public health.
On August 11, 2025, Angelina Jolie dined at Hotto Restaurant, widely regarded as one of Addis Ababa’s finest culinary destinations. Known for its innovative fusion of international flavors with Ethiopian tradition, Hotto has become a symbol of the capital’s growing reputation for world-class hospitality and gastronomic excellence. Jolie was joined by two influential figures during this occasion: Rebecca Oppenheimer, a member of the distinguished De Beers diamond family renowned for their global influence in mining and philanthropy; and Fred Swaniker, the visionary Ghanaian founder and CEO of the African Leadership Group (ALX), dedicated to nurturing the next generation of African leaders through education and entrepreneurship.
During her visit to Hotto, Jolie expressed genuine admiration for the restaurant’s ambiance, attentive service, and culinary craftsmanship. “I was very surprised how much Addis has changed,” she remarked, underscoring the transformation of the city since her last visits. She praised Hotto as a dining experience that could rival some of the finest restaurants worldwide, a testament to Ethiopia’s evolving role as a cultural and gastronomic hub within Africa.
Beyond the evening’s culinary delights, Jolie’s connection to Ethiopia runs deep and personal. She reminisced about her 2005 trip with then-partner Brad Pitt to Ethiopia, during which she finalized the adoption of her daughter Zahara, born in the southern town of Hawassa. Reflecting on this profound moment, Jolie shared her plans to return to Hotto with Zahara on future visits, signaling a lasting bond with the country.
Jolie’s visit to Ethiopia was not solely confined to cultural appreciation. On August 10, she toured St. Peter’s Specialized Hospital, a leading institution in Addis Ababa dedicated to treating multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Tuberculosis remains a critical health challenge in many parts of Africa, with MDR-TB representing a particularly urgent threat due to its resistance to conventional treatments.
At St. Peter’s, Jolie observed the hospital’s TB and MDR-TB treatment units and laboratories, engaging with medical professionals and patients alike. Hospital officials warmly welcomed her return visit, noting the multifaceted improvements made since Jolie’s previous engagement with the institution. Jolie herself expressed admiration for the advancements, describing the facility’s work as “quite impressive and quite dependable.”
She pledged ongoing support through the Global Health Committee (GHC), signaling a commitment to bolstering Ethiopia’s efforts to combat TB. Dr. Abraham Eshetu, CEO of St. Peter’s Hospital, publicly expressed gratitude for Jolie’s dedication and generosity, emphasizing how such partnerships strengthen the fight against some of the region’s most pressing health concerns.
