Eight Years of Legal Battles with Angelina Jolie Took Their Toll: Brad Pitt Opens Up About the Hardest Period of His Life

Eight years of legal battles, a painful breakup and strained relationships with his children: Brad Pitt has revealed what helped him get through one of the most difficult periods of his life. The actor spoke about the friends and loved ones who supported him after his divorce from Angelina Jolie and explained why, during tough times, it is important not to focus on one big victory but to keep moving forward, one small step at a time.

“When I look back at the darkest days, I realise how much I relied on close relationships. Friends, a few people I was truly close to, my family: I was open with them about my struggles. Being able to be honest with people who love you, support you and whom you love in return, that’s everything. Absolutely everything,” Pitt said.

The actor shared these reflections in an interview about his upcoming film Heart of the Beast at the San Sebastián Film Festival. In the film, Pitt plays a special operations veteran who, following a seaplane crash, must navigate a gruelling 60-mile journey through the Alaskan wilderness with his injured service dog, Odin.

Working on the film prompted the actor to look at his own experiences of loss and pain from a new perspective. He was particularly struck by the advice of the survival experts who took part in the production.

“They told us it’s all about small victories. You’re going to face losses, you’re going to be in pain, but the main thing is to get to the next small victory. I thought that was very similar to life. When we go through difficult times and face challenges, it’s important simply to take the next step without trying to take in the whole picture at once,” Pitt explained.

A Divorce That Dragged on for Eight Years

Pitt and Jolie’s relationship began in 2004 on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. In 2005, the actor divorced Jennifer Aniston, and he and Jolie soon became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about couples. In 2014, the actors married in France in the presence of their children.

However, in September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce following a confrontation aboard a private plane travelling from France to Los Angeles. The actress accused her former husband of physical and verbal abuse. Pitt denied the allegations. The FBI did not bring charges against him, and an investigation by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services concluded without establishing that abuse had occurred.

The divorce was not officially finalised until December 2024, after eight years of legal proceedings. During that time, the family dispute was accompanied by further legal battles, including disagreements over their French winery, Château Miraval.

Friends, Therapy and a New Life

According to British media reports, Pitt also turned to therapy during this difficult period, attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and gave up alcohol for seven years. He received support from close friends, including George Clooney, Bradley Cooper, Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. The actor also managed to rebuild his friendship with his ex-wife, Jennifer Aniston.

However, the fallout from the divorce continues to affect his relationships with his children. Recently, several of Pitt’s children have taken steps to drop his surname. Zahara, in particular, has been using the surname Jolie, while Vivienne has also chosen to omit her father’s surname from her public name.

Pitt is currently in a relationship with jewellery designer Ines de Ramon. They were first romantically linked in late 2022, and in 2024, media reports said the couple were living together. De Ramon also accompanied Pitt to the premiere of Heart of the Beast.