Angelina Jolie has faced a long and challenging journey since filing for divorce from Brad Pitt in 2016, but it turns out her children have been urging her to take a louder stance in the public eye. According to a close source, the six children shared with Pitt have voiced their desire for their mother to speak out more about her side of the tumultuous divorce proceedings.
“She’s been trying hard to be light after a dark time,” says the source, reflecting on Jolie’s efforts to maintain positivity after a stormy chapter in her life. “The kids have grown up seeing that some people have so much power and privilege that their voices don’t matter. Their pain doesn’t count.”
This feeling of powerlessness has led the children, including eldest son Maddox, 23, to express frustration with the way the narrative surrounding the divorce has unfolded. “They have wanted her to speak up for herself, to defend herself over these years,” the source adds. “But she always reminds them to focus on changing laws rather than telling public stories.”
Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, first met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005, and their on-screen chemistry quickly turned into a relationship that captivated millions. After a decade together, they tied the knot in 2014, becoming one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. But in 2016, their marriage took a dramatic turn.
The split was sparked by a private plane incident, where an allegedly intoxicated Pitt had a tense confrontation with Jolie and their children. While authorities investigated the matter, no charges were filed, and Jolie chose not to press any legal action. This moment, however, marked the beginning of a lengthy and highly public divorce battle that would see the once-idyllic family struggle in the spotlight.
The separation soon became a focal point of media attention, with both Jolie and Pitt working to preserve their children’s privacy. In 2017, the actors agreed to a legal strategy that would keep court documents sealed and appoint a private judge to handle any legal matters. Yet despite these efforts, the public was still privy to many details of their custody negotiations.
In 2018, documents revealed that Jolie faced the risk of losing primary custody of their six children unless she took steps to repair her children’s relationship with their father. A subsequent ruling gave Pitt 50-50 custody, but that decision was later rendered null when the judge overseeing their case was disqualified.
Despite the prolonged legal battles, it was recently confirmed that Jolie and Pitt have finally reached an agreement on their divorce. On December 30, 2024, the pair officially signed papers to finalize their separation, marking the end of an eight-year legal saga.
Jolie’s divorce attorney, James Simon, shared a statement expressing that his client had been “focused on finding peace and healing for their family” throughout the divorce process. “Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over,” Simon added, emphasizing the toll the lengthy proceedings had taken on her.
But while the legal battle might be over, the emotional wounds remain. A source close to Pitt mentioned that the ongoing narrative of Jolie’s “one-sided attacks” had caused significant damage, both within their family and beyond. The source claimed that Jolie’s public defense of herself had “caused tremendous collateral damage” to those around them.
Sources have also suggested that Pitt has been struggling with a lack of contact with some of his children. A Pitt confidant stated that the actor has “virtually no contact” with his adult children. However, an agreement with Jolie has granted him visitation with their younger kids. Still, the distance from his children “pains him,” with another source noting, “He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad.”
While both parents remain committed to their children, the emotional toll of the divorce has been undeniable. In interviews, Jolie has expressed that her kids value their privacy and wish for a life away from the relentless media attention. “They weren’t born with privacy, right? So I hope that they can have that as they grow old,” she shared.
Jolie and Pitt are also embroiled in an ongoing legal battle over a French winery they once shared, a separate issue from their divorce but still contributing to their strained relationship. Jolie’s legal team has voiced frustration over the continued legal fighting, urging Pitt to prioritize healing the family rather than pursuing lawsuits.
In contrast, a source close to Pitt recently pointed out his recent legal victories as evidence of the legitimacy of his claims. “It demonstrates the legitimacy of his claims and demonstrates yet again the other side’s talk is not backed up with substance,” they said, referring to Jolie’s
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