Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been embroiled in a messy court battle since she filed for divorce in September 2016, but the couple hasn’t always been at odds.
The Oscar winner fell in love with each other while filming the 2005 action movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The early days of their relationship instantly sparked controversy because Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time.
The Friends alum and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star announced their separation in January 2005. She filed for divorce the following March, and the process was finalized by October 2005.
“We spent a lot of time contemplating and thinking about what we wanted in life and realized that we wanted very similar things,” Jolie told Vogue in January 2007. “And then we just continued to spend time. We remained very, very good friends—with this realization—for a long time. And then life developed in a way where we could be together, where it felt like something we should do, that we really should be doing.”
Pitt and the Salt star became serious quickly, with her confirming her pregnancy with their first child in January 2006. She officially adopted their son Maddox and daughter Zahara in 2006, and their children took on the surname Jolie-Pitt.
The couple welcomed Shiloh in May 2006. The Maleficent actress adopted son Pax in March 2007, while the actor followed suit in February 2008. Their twins, son Knox and daughter Vivienne, were born in July 2008.
“One of the greatest, smartest things I ever did was give Angie the role of mother to my children,” he told Parade in September 2011. “She is a great mom. Oh, man, I’m so happy to have her. With a partner like Angie, I know that when I work, the kids are happy, safe, and well. And when Angie works, she knows she has the same.”
Jolie and Pitt announced their engagement in April 2012. They married in France in August 2014. However, Brangelina decided to split in September 2016. Apart from their lengthy custody battle, Jolie accused her ex-husband of “physical and emotional abuse” toward her and their children during a September 2016 flight from California to France, which Pitt denied.
Pitt, in turn, filed a lawsuit against the By the Sea actress in February 2022, claiming that she illegally sold her stake in the French vineyard Château Miraval, after previously agreeing not to do so without each other’s consent.
Scroll down to rediscover how post-breakup Pitt and Jolie’s relationship became so controversial.
September 2016 The Lara Croft: Tomb Raider star filed for divorce after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. She sought sole physical custody of their six children. “This decision was made for the health of the family,” her spokesperson told Us Weekly in a statement at the time.
September 2016 An incident on the couple’s private jet led to an investigation of child abuse allegations against Pitt. “He got drunk and was fighting with Angie,” a source said. “Maddox stepped in to defend Angie and got in Brad’s face.”
The Fight Club actor was cleared of the allegations in November 2016.
September 2016
The couple reached a temporary custody agreement a week after their split. She was granted full physical custody, while he was given visitation rights. They were both required to undergo individual counseling as well as attend family counseling with their children. He was also required to undergo random drug and alcohol testing at the time.
November 2016
Pitt filed for joint physical and legal custody of the children in his response to Jolie’s divorce. Although Maddox initially refused to see his father, they reunited in October 2016 as their relationship remained strained.
February 2017
The Girl, Interrupted star opened up about the divorce in an interview with the BBC. “I don’t want to say very much about [the incident] except to say that it was a very difficult time and we are a family. And we will always be a family,” she said, becoming increasingly emotional. “And we will get through this time and hopefully be a stronger family for it.”
March 2017
Us confirmed that Jolie and Pitt had been talking again post-breakup. “They are at a place where they can put aside anger or hurt for the sake of their children and how they plan to co-parent,” revealed one source, while another insider added, “They’re only talking about the kids but have agreed that the children’s best interest comes first and that they will be civil to each other.”
