How Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's love turned to hate as son Pax's 2020 post resurfaces
In a protracted legal battle for equal custody rights with Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt faced a blow when his daughter Zahara chose to identify herself solely by her mother's surname during her sorority introduction at Spellman College on November 15, 2023.
This event fueled speculation about Pitt's relationship with his children. Adding to the tumult, a 2020 Instagram rant by Pax, the couple's adopted son, resurfaced online in its wake, branding Pitt a "terrible and despicable person" and alleging he made his kids "tremble in fear."
Responding to the revived accusations, a member of Pitt's inner circle denounced the claims to The Sun as a "depressing" smear, emphasizing the actor's profound respect for all his children.
The insider expressed frustration at the misrepresentation of Pitt as a "bad person," asserting that it is far from the truth and highlighting the actor's genuine concern for his children's well-being.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have faced several ups and downs over the years. One of Hollywood's most notorious love stories started as two of the most popular actors of their time laid the foundation of a relationship that would last well over a decade, including six children and multiple collaborative projects.
However, things quickly took a downturn, and the subsequent fallout culminated in one of the most bitter feuds known to Tinseltown.
It's been more than 15 years since Pitt and Jolie fell in love on the sets of the action-packed 2005 blockbuster 'Mr & Mrs Smith' where they first met. The duo was always the subject of media scrutiny due to their popularity, and fan interest continued to spike as their relationship blossomed and they welcomed children into the mix.
But as fate would have it, the couple parted ways after just two years of marriage. Jolie filed for divorce on September 19, 2016, citing irreconcilable differences, and the proceedings were finalized on April 12, 2019.
Back in 2005, it seemed like "Brangelina" were meant to be together after the future couple played husband and wife in 'Mr & Mrs Smith', embarking on a mission to try and assassinate one another. Despite the plot that was far from a recipe for romance, the time they spent on set and working together brought them close to each other.
Pitt was still married to 'Friends' star Jennifer Aniston at the time. However, their five-year marriage was all but over by the time the filming had wrapped and speculation was rife around Pitt and Jolie.
Aniston soon filed for divorce, giving Pitt the freedom to pursue his new lover.
One year into their romance, Pitt and Jolie were already expecting their first biological child together.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt (now 14) was born in May 2006. Along with the couple's adopted children Maddox, now 20, and Zahara, now 16, the clan was a family of five. Jolie went on to adopt Pax, now 16, in March 2007.
Pitt became Pax's legal, adoptive father in February of the following year. It's worth noting that the couple went to great lengths to shield their children from the limelight, but they slowly made public appearances as they grew older.
The couple quickly became the most well-known celebrity couple of the late 2000s. They were joined to the hip, supporting each other at awards shows, premieres, et cetera.
And despite the media holding a magnifying glass at their every move, the power couple really showed their fans and admirers that they could make it work and how dedicated they were to their union.
They would soon be dubbed "Brangelina" by the press.
Pitt and Jolie welcomed twins Vivienne and Knox in July 2008, just a couple of years after the birth of Shiloh.
The Hollywood couple were so committed to each other that it never crossed their minds to become husband and wife. The duo shirked marriage and opted to simply remain dedicated to each other, but that changed a couple of years later.
The pair went on to tie the knot in 2014 at the lavish Château Miraval estate in Correns, France, in an intimate ceremony that involved their many children.
However, their marriage didn't stand the test of time. In 2016, just two years after taking the holy vows, the couple decided to part ways and became embroiled in a contentious legal battle over the custody of their children that continues to this day.
Several ugly rumors and claims floated around, including that Jolie was trying to have the judge presiding over the case removed.
There were also claims about an altercation on the duo’s private jet that led to a child abuse investigation into Pitt. “He got drunk and was fighting with Angie,” a source claimed in September 2016, adding, “Maddox stepped in to defend Angie and got in Brad’s face.”
However, the 'Fight Club' star was cleared of the allegations in November 2016.
In February 2021, Pitt sued his ex Angelina Jolie after she sold her 50 per cent of shares in Chateau Miraval to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler.
The 'Lara Croft' star allegedly did not obtain permission from her ex for the sale. Court documents suggested that Pitt was looking to nullify Jolie's deal and even sought damages for the move.
The actor claimed in the filing that they had an agreement that neither could sell their portion without permission from the other party. “[Angelina] is seeking a return on an investment she did not make and profits she did not earn,” a source close to Pitt told HollywoodLife. The courtroom battle between the exes continues to this day.