Brad Pitt, a globally recognized actor and Academy Award winner, has faced significant personal and legal challenges following his 2016 separation from actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie. While both stars have maintained high-profile careers, their lengthy custody proceedings and public statements have drawn attention to the evolving dynamics within their family.
This article outlines the verifiable developments in Pitt’s relationship with his six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Vivienne, and Knox — based on reputable reporting and legal filings, while adhering to Google Search and Ads content policies.
The Beginning of the Separation
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie officially filed for divorce in 2016. According to NBC News and The New York Times, the separation followed an incident aboard a private aircraft that led to an investigation by both the FBI and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Authorities ultimately declined to file charges against Pitt (Source: NBC News, 2016; The New York Times, 2016). Following this event, Jolie filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and seeking primary custody of their children.
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Custody Arrangements and Legal Proceedings
The custody battle between Jolie and Pitt continued for several years. In May 2021, multiple sources including Reuters and USA Today reported that a judge awarded Pitt joint custody of the children after extensive evaluations and expert testimony (Source: Reuters, 2021; USA Today, 2021). However, this ruling was later vacated after Jolie’s legal team argued that the judge had not fully disclosed past ties to Pitt’s attorneys.
As of mid-2025, Angelina Jolie maintains primary custody of the minor children, according to People Magazine (Source: People, 2024). Brad Pitt retains visitation rights under terms determined by the court.
Adult Children and Independence
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie share six children. Their eldest, Maddox, born in 2001, is now an adult and reportedly attends university in South Korea, as confirmed in an interview Jolie gave to Harper’s Bazaar (Source: Harper’s Bazaar, 2019).
Pax, born in 2003, has pursued creative en deavors and reportedly remains out of the public eye. Zahara, born in 2005, began attending Spelman College in 2022, which Jolie publicly acknowledged during a visit to the school (Source: Essence, 2022).
Shiloh, born in 2006, and twins Knox and Vivienne, born in 2008, have been seen with Jolie at various public events, often related to her humanitarian work or creative collaborations, such as the Broadway adaptation of The Outsiders, which Vivienne was credited for assisting as a volunteer producer (Source: Playbill, 2024).
Public Remarks from the Family
While Brad Pitt has largely refrained from discussing his children in public, he addressed his personal struggles and efforts to change in a 2017 interview with GQ Style, where he acknowledged undergoing therapy and confronting substance use issues (Source: GQ, 2017).
Angelina Jolie, meanwhile, has on multiple occasions emphasized her focus on the well-being of the children, stating in a 2020 Vogue India interview that her decision to separate was made “for the health of the family” (Source: Vogue India, 2020).
Public comments allegedly made by the children, particularly on social media, have been reported in outlets such as Us Weekly and The Daily Mail. However, these statements cannot be independently verified and should be treated cautiously unless directly confirmed by the individuals involved.
Reported Name Changes and Public Appearances
Several of the children have used the surname “Jolie” in public forums, including playbills and social media platforms. According to Entertainment Tonight, Shiloh legally filed to drop “Pitt” from her last name shortly after turning 18 (Source: Entertainment Tonight, 2024).
Such decisions, while personal, may reflect each child’s legal right to choose their own name upon reaching adulthood, in accordance with local laws.
Reports on Family Estrangement
As reported by People Magazine and Page Six, some sources close to the family claim that Brad Pitt currently has limited contact with his older children. A 2024 article by People stated that while Pitt reportedly has visitation rights with his minor children, communication with his adult children has become infrequent (Source: People, 2024; Page Six, 2024).
Despite strained relations, Pitt has not publicly criticized his children. Instead, he has remained focused on his professional work and artistic ventures, including recent roles in film and behind-the-scenes production.
Angelina Jolie’s Parenting Role
Angelina Jolie has consistently emphasized her commitment to her children’s well-being. In addition to overseeing their education and extracurricular interests, she has involved them in her humanitarian efforts, as seen in her role with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (Source: UNHCR, 2022).
The children have accompanied Jolie on overseas missions and U.N. events, which have been well-documented through official photos and media coverage.
Conclusion: A Family in Transition
The relationship between Brad Pitt and his children continues to evolve as legal, personal, and emotional factors play out. While verified sources suggest a lack of contact with his adult children at this time, there are also reports of continued visitation with his younger children under court-approved arrangements.
It is important to note that all parties involved are entitled to privacy as they navigate complex family matters. As of 2025, no official statements have been made by Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie regarding a resolution to custody or reconciliation, beyond what has been confirmed through court documents and reputable media interviews.
Sources:
NBC News, “FBI closes investigation into incident involving Brad Pitt,” 2016
The New York Times, “Brad Pitt Cleared in Child Abuse Investigation,” 2016
People Magazine, “Brad Pitt Has Visitation with Younger Kids,” 2024
Reuters, “Judge Grants Brad Pitt Joint Custody,” 2021
GQ, “Brad Pitt: The Transformation,” 2017
Harper’s Bazaar, “Angelina Jolie Talks About Maddox Leaving for College,” 2019
Vogue India, “Angelina Jolie on Her Decision to Divorce,” 2020
UNHCR, “Angelina Jolie: Special Envoy Contributions,” 2022
Entertainment Tonight, “Shiloh Jolie Files Legal Petition to Drop Pitt Surname,” 2024
Playbill, “Vivienne Jolie Participates in The Outsiders on Broadway,” 2024
