An Inside Look At Angelina Jolie And Brad Pitt’s Relationship From Start To Finish

While fans may have loved Brangelina, their support couldn’t keep the spark between the pair alive. In 2016, they’d decided that everything was over between them, and they had no intention of reconciliation. They filed for divorce, breaking the hearts of their fans and probably their children’s, too.

Anyone hoping for a peaceful separation was quickly disappointed because the duo wasted no time attacking one another in the press. Their ferocious court battles and constant criticism has turned what was once an inspiring relationship into a bad taste in people’s mouths. If you were to ask who was to blame for everything going downhill, they’d both point the finger at each other. Clearly, they have their own perceptions of what went down during the relationship and beyond, and it’s always good to know both sides of the story.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fell in love while filming Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Brad and Angelina first came into one another’s lives during the filming of the action-comedy movie ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith.’ At the time, Pitt’s love life was a hot topic because of his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. However, it was about to become an even bigger talking point when the pair got divorced, and he moved on with Jolie.

The timing of everything prompted suspicion that he and his co-star had been having an affair during filming. Although the duo denied any such activity for years, it seems there may have been a spark on set. Apparently, Jolie later told her children that there’s one part in the movie where you can see the duo falling in love. So, what’s the truth?

Brad Pitt’s marriage broke down a few months before the film premiered

‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ premiered in June 2005. It was only a few months earlier that Brad and Jennifer decided to end their marriage. Pitt had obviously filmed the movie by that point, so if there was a spark between him and Jolie, it didn’t take long to ruin his relationship. Fans of the couple were devastated to see them break up because they were one of the greatest pairings that Hollywood had ever witnessed.

Both of them were so immensely famous at the time that it was hard to imagine a bigger power couple than the two of them. Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to keep them together. They claimed “irreconcilable differences” when they filed for divorce, so there was no fixing the relationship.

Brad Pitt was quick to move on with Angelina Jolie

When one door closes, another opens. That’s how it was for Brad because as soon as his marriage broke down, he had someone there to cheer him up. Just one month after filing for divorce, Pitt was seen vacationing in Kenya with his co-star. By this point, rumors had already emerged about the duo cozying up during filming.

However, the movie hadn’t even hit the big screen yet, so many people weren’t even aware of their chemistry. A few months after that vacation, the duo appeared together in a spread for W magazine. The photoshoot was criticized by Aniston because the pictures were actually taken back in March, the same month he filed for divorce. She claimed he lacked a “sensitivity chip.”

Three months after finalizing his divorce, Pitt and Jolie announced their pregnancy

The same month that the W magazine spread hit the stands, Angelina continued growing her family. She adopted a child, Zahara, in Ethiopia with Brad by her side. The two couldn’t have joint custody because the country doesn’t allow it for unwed couples. However, that wasn’t a significant issue. After all, it was only half a year later that the two told the world they were having a baby together.

Brad had never done this with Aniston, but clearly, he wasn’t willing to wait around with Jolie. Jennifer probably wasn’t thrilled for them, especially because they’d only finalized their divorce three months earlier. Not long after, Pitt adopted Jolie’s other children and proved he was in it for the long haul with this relationship.

The media attention surrounding Brad and Angelina was intense

Within a year of leaving Aniston, Brad had made significant progress in his relationship with Jolie. However, despite growing a family together, there was no indication that they wished to tie the knot yet. They had all the time in the world for that, and they wanted to wait until everyone in the US was allowed to get married.

This didn’t stop the media from being eager to see them become husband and wife, though. In fact, the attention from the paparazzi was so intense that the pair actually flew to Namibia to give birth to Shiloh. As Hollywood actors, they were both used to the attention. However, the popularity and controversy of Brangelina meant that they’d become the world’s greatest obsession.

The couple had several more children in quick succession

One of the things people remember most about Brad and Angelina’s relationship is their children. That’s because the pair had so many of them over the years. They didn’t wait around to grow their family, either. All the kids came in relatively quick succession, with the couple parents to half a dozen of them by 2008.

They adopted a child from Vietnam not long after welcoming Shiloh into the world. After that, Jolie fell pregnant again. However, things were a little different this time around because she was having twins. The couple hadn’t expected it at first, but they broke the news to Entertainment Weekly a few months before the babies arrived. At the time, they were all one big happy family.

A book made multiple accusations about Brad and Angelina’s relationship

When you’re a power couple like Brangelina, the media talks about you all the time. However, not everything they share is good news. These publications spread plenty of rumors and gossip that aren’t always true, just as the couple found out in 2010. That’s when talk turned to the duo supposedly going their separate ways after five years together.

Ian Halperin was largely to blame for this by releasing a book entitled ‘Brangelina: The Untold Story of Brad and Angelina.’ Inside, it detailed how the pair were allegedly breaking apart, with Pitt supposedly cheating on his other half numerous times. Halperin claimed that the book was based on 900 sources, yet the couple remained together for years after it came out. Clearly, you can’t believe everything that you read.

They confirmed their engagement in 2012 after years of rumors

When you’re a Hollywood celebrity, all you have to do is breathe, and people start gossiping about you. It’s all part of the territory, and you either learn to live with it or crumble under the pressure. Brad and Angelina are experts, so everything people were saying about them was just water off a duck’s back.

They were plagued by engagement rumors throughout their relationship, not helped by Johnny Depp once referring to Pitt as Jolie’s “husband.” Fortunately, the gossip eventually stopped once the pair confirmed that they were actually getting married. This happened in 2012 when Brad’s manager shared the good news. It wasn’t known when the wedding was happening, but the duo was finally ready to become husband and wife.

Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her risk of getting cancer

Brangelina’s relationship may have been the biggest talking point with Pitt and Jolie, but they had lives outside of one another. There was plenty of other stuff going on with them that wasn’t directly related to their romance, including Angelina’s health woes. In 2013, she tugged at the heartstrings of her fans when she revealed to the New York Times that she’d be undergoing a preventative double mastectomy.

Jolie’s mom had passed away from ovarian cancer, and it seems there was a 50% chance that the actress would develop the same disease. Even worse, there was an 87% chance of getting cancer elsewhere if she didn’t have the procedure. So, she spent several months having surgeries to protect her health and ensure she wouldn’t leave her kids too soon.

She and Pitt finally tied the knot in France in 2014

After all that health drama, Angelina needed something to celebrate. Fortunately, she and Brad found the perfect way to pick themselves up the following year. In August 2014, the day that their fans had been waiting ages for finally came – they got married. The couple tied the knot in France, surrounded by their kids.

It seems the children all played roles on the big day, with Maddox and Pax accompanying their mom down the aisle. Moreover, they all apparently drew something personal on Jolie’s wedding dress, ensuring that the gown was as special as it could possibly be. Fans wished they could see the couple on their big day, but it was enough for most of them just to know that the two had finally gotten married.

Angelina had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed following signs of cancer

Unfortunately, wedded bliss wasn’t enough to save Angelina from her health woes. A few years after getting her preventative double mastectomy, she was told the news that she never wanted to hear. Apparently, blood tests indicated signs that she might be in the early stages of cancer, leaving the actress incredibly fearful about what might happen to her.

She could do something to try and prevent the situation from escalating. However, what this entailed wasn’t anything to be made lightly. She ultimately agreed to the procedure, which involved having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. Being a mother, it wasn’t easy for her to go through with this, but she wanted to keep the disease at bay. If that meant more surgery, she was willing to do it.

The end for Brangelina came in 2016 when they announced their separation

After all this heartache, Jolie was owed some good news. Unfortunately, that wasn’t coming her way. A few years after all these health woes, the words “irreconcilable differences” cropped up again. That’s right, the marriage that fans thought would last forever had come crashing down, with Angelina and Brad going their separate ways.

It was news that many struggled to swallow, given all that the couple had been through. Unfortunately, this announcement was just the start of what would become a tough few years for the pair. With Jolie reportedly demanding sole custody of the children, it was clear that things had gone very south for the couple. What had driven them apart, though, and why did it inspire both parties to make vicious comments and decisions?

Angelina Jolie was granted temporary custody of her children after the separation

Angelina wanted sole custody of her children, and immediately after the couple split, she was granted it. This was only on a temporary basis. However, the fact that a judge was willing to give it to Jolie suggested that something was going on. Clearly, they had reason to believe that the kids were better off without their father around.

However, everything was happening behind closed doors, so it was hard for fans to understand what was going on. Whatever the situation, Brad was going to have a big fight on his hands if he wanted to get full, or even joint, custody of his children. Unfortunately for him, things were about to go from bad to worse with the release of supposed insider information.

The FBI allegedly investigated Brad Pitt for reports of child abuse

Fans were incredibly curious to know what had driven a wedge between the Hollywood couple. Luckily for them, they got a potential answer shortly after the pair separated. However, it wasn’t necessarily something they wanted to hear. There was an alleged incident between Brad, Angelina, and Maddox while their plane was refueling. The actor had apparently been drinking and began shouting at his wife.

When their child stepped in to defend Jolie, things supposedly got messy. This was reportedly right before the pair separated, and it apparently convinced the FBI to start looking into Pitt and whether he was responsible for child abuse. These were serious allegations against the Hollywood star, which made some fans concerned that he wasn’t the man they thought he was.

Angelina tried claiming that her husband was abusive throughout their marriage

If you’re going to claim that someone is abusive, there’s usually more than one incident to report about. As it turns out, Angelina supposedly had many that she was willing to share with the court. The actress allegedly had proof that Pitt wasn’t the kind, loving soul people thought him to be. Most of this proof was to do with how he treated her rather than their children.

However, Jolie didn’t deny that Brad was the same with the kids as he was with her. Luckily for the actor, things seemingly worked out in his favor. No charges were brought against him for what happened with Maddox. What’s more, the police pointed out that they’d never been called to the home about abusive behavior before.

Brad Pitt has been relying on pacifying substances since he finished college

Obviously, one of the concerning things about Brad’s behavior during that initial abuse story was the fact that he’d been drinking. Plenty of celebrities enjoy knocking back a strong beverage, but when it starts affecting their behavior, that’s a real concern. People had never really viewed Pitt as a man with a drinking problem before.

However, the actor got candid in a 2017 interview with GQ, where he admitted to using certain substances. Apparently, narcotics and drink had been a daily addiction for the man since he’d finished college. He used these as “pacifiers” to apparently help him deal with other stressful elements of his life. Unfortunately, his dependence on them became unhealthy and influenced his behavior in a particularly negative way.

The divorce prompted Brad to make some significant changes to his life

When you have a problem with substances like this, it can be hard to stop using them. Most people know they need to give them up and turn their life around, but finding the courage to make a change isn’t easy. Fortunately for Brad Pitt, the breakdown of his second marriage proved to be the motivation that he needed.

In 2019, he confessed to Interview magazine that separating from Jolie had made him realize he couldn’t carry on the way he was. He’d been seeking therapy to help him steer clear of those substances while also trying to make amends with those he’d hurt in the past. He wanted to try and forgive himself for his mistakes and learn to love life again.

Pitt has been getting more in touch with his emotions to control his anger

Until that story about Maddox came out, Brad Pitt wasn’t someone that many people associated with having a temper. However, it seems that the actor does have a bit of trouble controlling his anger occasionally. He didn’t shy away from telling the truth to Interview magazine, confessing that he does “lose it at times.” Obviously, the substances he was taking didn’t help him with this.

However, even without things like the drink affecting his behavior, he still struggles to keep calm sometimes. To try and improve on this, he’s apparently been learning to get more in touch with his emotions. That means refraining from bottling things up and trying to cry more. It’s not an easy thing to do, but kudos to Pitt for trying to improve himself.

Brad filed to seal their court documents after Angelina kept making them public

Immediately after the separation, it probably seemed like Angelina was the good guy in the relationship. After all, those accusations of abuse certainly didn’t shine Brad in a favorable light. However, that doesn’t mean everyone believes she’s a saint since the couple split up. Pitt certainly wasn’t happy about the way that she was sharing court documents with the world.

The actor believed that this stuff should be private because their divorce was no one’s business but their own. That’s why he filed for everything to be sealed so that Jolie couldn’t keep using everything to tarnish his name and make him out to be a monster. In doing this, he ensured that everyone’s identity was protected, including that of his children.

Jolie accused her ex of not paying adequate child support after the split

After splitting from her husband, it seemed to be Jolie’s life goal to paint Brad out to be a bad father. Not only did she accuse him of being abusive, but she also apparently claimed that he wasn’t paying child support. NBC News shared the story first, and it once again put Pitt in the firing line.

However, it seems the man wasn’t trying to deny his kids money the way she supposedly made it seem. Apparently, he loaned her $8 million to buy a house after the separation, with Brad also paying $1.3 million for the bills. Pitt’s defense was that this was a significant child maintenance payment that would benefit the family. However, she fired back that the money was merely a loan.

The pair struggled to work out how to split custody between them

Some divorces are quick and easy. Others, not so much. Brad’s first union certainly veered towards the former, given he’d split from Aniston and finalized everything within a year. His second marriage, though, was anything but quick and easy. Although the duo separated in 2016, they still hadn’t finalized everything four years later.

The custody agreement was one of the pair’s biggest issues, with the two unable to agree on the best way to raise their children now they weren’t together. Although tensions had simmered down since the split, Brad and Angelina still couldn’t see eye to eye. Both wanted what was best for their children, but it seems they had different opinions on what the kids needed moving forward.

Brad’s reportedly been reconnecting with his children after tension in the marriage

The whole time that Brad and Angelina have been trying to reach a custody agreement, their kids have gradually gotten older. When you’re a child, four years of development is quite a significant amount of time. The children were all in double digits by 2020, with the oldest almost out of his teen years.

This meant the kids were a little more independent than they had been immediately after the split. Apparently, that’s been to Brad’s benefit as they’ve apparently been trying to reconnect with their father. Whatever tension was there during the marriage has obviously improved in recent years. It helps that Pitt’s been working on himself and isn’t afraid to acknowledge that he wasn’t the best dad before.

Few divorces in Hollywood have been as expensive as Brad and Angelina’s

When they were a couple, Brangelina never did things by halves. They always strived to be the best in Hollywood, whether that was in their professional or personal lives. They set some amazing records over the years and won themselves quite the reputation. Unfortunately, not everything they’ve become known for is something to celebrate.

Among their many accomplishments, the pair are now famous for having one of the most expensive divorces ever. Part of this is down to the fact that proceedings have been ongoing for years, so they continue to pay thousands in legal bills. Hopefully, they’ll reach an agreement on everything soon. If they don’t do it for their sake or their children’s, then at least for their bank accounts.

Both Brad and Angelina may have spent more than $1 million on their divorce

How much do you think Brad and Angelina have actually spent on their separation so far? Allegedly, both have put over $1 million into the divorce, which is no small feat. This much money might not mean a ton to the pair, given how much they rake in every year. However, that’s still a lot to essentially throw down the drain for the dissolution of a relationship.

Apparently, one of the biggest expenses for the duo is getting a private judge, who can cost as much as $1,000 an hour. That can amount to something like $10,000 a day or $50,000 if the trial lasts from Monday to Friday. No wonder the pair have lost so much money on this.

Maddox’s relationship with his father is allegedly still strained

Being the child of a celebrity can be a blessing and a curse. While Brad and Angelina’s kids likely never have to go without anything, that doesn’t mean they have a perfect relationship with their parents. Maddox is the oldest of the pair’s kids, and if that plane refueling drama is anything to go by, his home life isn’t as good as it could be.

According to US Weekly, the couple’s son very much has his mother’s back through this divorce. He allegedly doesn’t want the surname Jolie-Pitt, preferring to drop the reference to his adopted father. It’s unfortunate that there’s so much tension between Brad and his son. However, even if the actor is trying to improve himself, that doesn’t automatically make him the father of the year.

Pax Thien has been reconnecting with his heritage away from the spotlight

Maddox was the first child that Jolie adopted (with Brad becoming his father later), but he wasn’t the last. A few years later, Angelina went to Vietnam and brought home Pax Thien, who was already three years old at the time. Being the child of two Hollywood legends, it might be no surprise that Pax has gone on to appear in several films.

Admittedly, his roles have been minor, but you have to start somewhere. Then again, it seems these minor parts may have been to the boy’s liking, given his preference to avoid the limelight. He prefers to steer clear of red carpet events and keep to himself, using his free time to do things like learning Vietnamese. It seems he’s reconnecting with his heritage now he’s older.

Zahara Marley has struggled with her health over the years, though it’s unclear what’s wrong

The other child that Brad and Angelina adopted when they were together was Zahara. They gave her a loving home when her mother refused to, with the girl’s abandonment apparently being tied to unknown health issues. Given the pair’s fame and fortune, they had the means to provide her with the best healthcare to treat these issues. That’s good, given she continues to be plagued with health woes.

Their daughter reportedly received multiple surgeries in 2020, with Pitt ditching the BAFTAs to be there for Zahara during them. What’s more, it seems that her birth mom has changed her tune and now wishes to reconnect with the girl. Whether that’s happened, or will happen, though, is currently unclear. We’re not sure how anyone involved feels about the situation.

Shiloh Nouvel now prefers to go by the name John

Brad and Angelina’s children aren’t nearly as well-known as their parents. However, some of the kids are more notable than others, with Shiloh easily the most talked-about of the brood. This isn’t purely because they’re the first biological child that the couple had, although that did make them the talk of the town when they were born.

No, they’ve attracted a lot of attention more recently for being a member of the LGBTQ community. They apparently prefer to be now known as John, with the kid having doubts about their gender since they were three years old. Angelina and Brad always let them look and act in whatever way felt most natural to them. That’s how they came to accept their identity before even reaching their teen years.

He received hip surgery, but it’s unclear whether this was for an ongoing problem

When you’re as famous as Jolie and Pitt are, you can’t escape the media. Sometimes, you just have to embrace the attention because it’s easier than fighting it. However, while the pair are occasionally willing to do that with their own lives, they’re a bit more reluctant when it comes to the kids.

Angelina, in particular, is wary of letting the media have access to their lives, which is why not a lot is actually known about them. For instance, when John was pictured on crutches, people were worried about his health. However, Jolie didn’t shine a light on the situation much more than saying he had hip surgery. Whether his issues are now resolved or are an ongoing problem is entirely unknown.

Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline have been doing a lot of charity work

Remember when Angelina gave birth to her twins? Somehow, that was over 13 years ago now, with Knox Léon and Vivienne Marcheline both in their teens. Their arrival made for quite the news story back in 2008, what with them being twins. Publications were desperate for a photo of the two of them, which is why People magazine reportedly paid $20 million for the rights.

Since then, a lot has obviously happened, with the siblings gradually making a name for themselves in Hollywood. That includes working with charities, such as Hope for Paws, who are entirely focused on helping animals. Philanthropy is something that most celebrities engage with when they become famous, so Knox and Vivienne are getting a good headstart with this.

A judge award Brad joint custody of the children in May 2021

Since Brad and Angelina began fighting over custody, Maddox has become an adult and, therefore, is no longer subject to any agreement. The rest of their children haven’t yet reached legal age, though, meaning Pitt and Jolie are still free to argue over them. At least, they were. It seems that in May 2021, a significant step was made in the custody battle.

A judge decided that Pitt would be awarded joint custody, meaning that he and his ex would get to spend equal amounts of time with their kids. Apparently, the verdict was reached after a private judge used testimonies from the children and other insiders to discover whether joint custody was the right decision. Unfortunately, not everyone was thrilled about the ruling.

Jolie wanted to appeal the court’s decision to prevent Pitt from getting joint custody

While Brad was overjoyed about the verdict, his ex-wife felt quite differently about it. In her eyes, this was the wrong decision, and she was reportedly determined to overrule it. According to insider sources, Jolie intended to appeal the ruling in court sometime in July. Despite the custody battle looking like it was finally coming to an end, the actress wanted to keep fighting until things turned out the way she wanted them.

Angelina maintains her argument that Brad was abusive, claiming that he was violent towards her and the children while they were still married. Obviously, if that’s true, it’s understandable why she’d want to appeal the ruling. However, it’s hard to know what’s true and what isn’t when you don’t have the whole story.

Maddox testified against his father, revealing what it was that caused the divorce

It appears that Angelina isn’t the only one who doesn’t want Pitt to have things his way. Maddox has also apparently taken a stand against his father, with the young man testifying against Brad. Aside from revealing his intentions to change his surname to Jolie, he also shared that the fight during the refueling was what ignited the divorce.

Pitt may have allegedly abused his wife for weeks, months, or years before this, but it was that event that prompted her to say enough is enough. After this revelation, Maddox and Angelina might have believed they’d stopped Brad’s chances of having custody of the kids. However, the courts still decided that both parents should have an equal split of responsibilities.

Angelina is supposedly determined to fight the court’s ruling until she gets what she wants

Tensions between the former husband and wife might have seemed to calm down, but it appears they’ll never disappear. Angelina is reportedly furious about the verdict and vows to fight it until the very end. This apparently includes trying to get the judge removed from the case on the basis of bias.

He’d reportedly worked with Brad’s legal representation shortly before their court case, which Jolie believes is grounds for dismissal. Even if that doesn’t work, she’ll continue to find ways to overturn the ruling. She’ll allegedly never forgive Pitt for what’s happened, making it clear that reconciliation will never be on the cards. At this rate, all the children will be adults by the time they reach a custody agreement they’re both happy with.

Brad is reportedly overjoyed, but his fight for the kids could continue until 2026

Brad is reportedly thrilled despite Jolie’s apparent determination to keep him away from his kids. Joint custody was the best thing he could hope for, and it’s precisely what he’s been granted. It’s taken years to reach this point, with the actor making a lot of positive changes along the way. Those have undoubtedly helped his case, with Pitt proving that he’s a better man than he was before.

However, he should know that the fight isn’t over yet. There’s every chance Angelina could continue dragging him into court until all the kids are 18. By that point, it’ll be 2026, meaning he could have a few more years of expensive legal fees to deal with. Still, right now, Brad has cause for celebration.