Angelina Jolie seeks reconciliation between Brad Pitt, kids Maddox and Pax as they mend relations post split
Ever since Angeline Jolie went back to being on good terms with her husband, Brad Pitt, she has been "advocating" for her children to have a better relationship with their dad, an insider told US Weekly. The 'Maleficent' actress “has been advocating for a reconciliation” between the actor and their oldest kids -- Maddox, 19, Pax, 16 -- and “to a lesser extent," with Zahara, 15, the source said. However, a second source, which is close to the family, told the outlet that “there’s no sign this is true, but it would be great if they were.” Previously we reported that a source said the 56-year-old actor doesn't see Maddox nor does he communicate with Pax. "That relationship continues to be nonexistent,” the insider said. The ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' star's relationship with his eldest son is especially strained ever since an alleged altercation during a private jet flight to Los Angeles in 2016, which is said to be the reason behind Pitt and Jolie's split that year. "Maddox hasn’t been receptive. And for Brad, it’s a tremendous loss," a source said at the time.
However, Pitt was reportedly optimistic about remedying his relationship with Pax. “With Maddox overseas [for college], Brad is also hopeful that Pax will also be interested in reconnecting without the influence of his older brother,” the insider explained.
In June Jolie said she divorced Pitt for the sake of their children. 'The Tourist' star spoke to Vogue ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20. During the interview, when asked how she continued to have a healthy environment for her kids after separating from their father, she said: “I separated for the wellbeing of my family. It was the right decision. I continue to focus on their healing. Some have taken advantage of my silence, and the children see lies about themselves in the media, but I remind them that they know their own truth and their own minds. In fact, they are six very brave, very strong young people.”
However, Pitt and Jolie are finally in a place where they can successfully co-parent their kids without lashing out at each other. A source told People magazine in June that the 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' costars had a thaw in their relationship amid the coronavirus lockdown, which has helped them become better parents to their half a dozen children, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, 14, Knox, 12 and Vivienne, 12.
"They definitely needed help figuring out all the child-custody issues and how Brad could be a dad again," a source said. "Since the kids are older now, they are no longer dealing with separation issues from Angie. It’s taken them a long time, with a lot of family therapy, to get to this point. The younger kids go back and forth between their houses, and Brad loves spending as much time with them as possible. He seems to be much happier."
Pitt was even seen pulling out of his former spouse's Los Angeles home on his motorcycle in June. It was the first time the actor was seen at his ex-wife's residence since their split. It was also an early sign suggesting that the relationship between the exes was on the path to healing. While Pitt and Jolie live less than ten minutes apart in Los Angeles, the couple is almost never seen together sans lawyers, post their very public divorce. However, on June 23, the actor dropped by Jolie's home for a two-hour long visit.