Despite reports from August 2023 claiming that Angelina Jolie wanted to drag out the custody battle between herself and ex-husband Brad Pitt for a few more years – until their youngest children, 15-year-old twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline turn 18 – newer reports are suggesting that the Bullet Train actor now seems to have a healthy relationship with some of their six children.
And according to an insider, Pitt’s new girlfriend Ines de Ramon, and him keeping his distance from Hollywood, seem to be the reasons why!
Brad Pitt's Current Relationship With His Kids
As part of his current custody agreement, the Ad Astra actor, 59, reportedly regularly sees daughter Shiloh, 17, and twins Vivienne Marcheline and Knox Leon, 15, with a source telling InTouch: "He’s on good terms with them." The source also said that he regularly speaks with Pax, 19, and Zahara, 18, adding, "He lost a lot of precious time with them during the custody battle, and he’s determined not to miss any more."
But Brad’s relationship with 22-year-old son Maddox still needs to be worked on, if we are to believe the latest reports. "He loves Maddox dearly, and even though they’re still estranged, Brad will always hold out hope for reconciliation," the source added, while InTouch also reported that a rep for Pitt had no comment when asked about his relationship with Maddox.
Brad Pitt Says Stepping Away From The Spotlight Is 'The Best Thing' He's Ever Done
Having good relationships with five out of six children is great progress for the Babylon actor, whose drinking is believed to be part of the reason for his split with the 48-year-old Maleficent star. While Pitt has reportedly continued to deny Jolie's abuse allegations, the source said that "he acknowledged his drinking was a problem, and he’s truly sorry for his part in the split."
The insider also said that Brad staying away from Hollywood has done wonders for his mental health and his personal life. "Brad is turning 60 in December, and he’s come to realize that he doesn’t miss the Hollywood grind. He feels so much healthier and happier outside the spotlight," the source claimed. "He shut down production on his Formula 1 movie, Apex, because of the strike in late July. And since then, he’s basically disappeared from the public eye. He’s been chilling with his girlfriend, traveling and focusing on other projects," the source explained.
"Brad is telling friends that stepping away from the spotlight is the best thing he’s ever done," the insider continued, adding, "It’s sometimes been painful, but Brad has grown so much. He’s turned a corner in what he wants and is living a whole new life. He’s finally putting his wellbeing and his family first."
Where Do Brad Pitt And Angelina Jolie Go From Here?
The Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood actor reportedly wants to make peace with the Eternals actress once and for all, but that might be easier said than done based on their history. "It’s going to be difficult, and he never thought it would happen after all they’ve put each other through, but Brad has done enough therapy and introspection to understand that the right thing to do would be to put the past behind them," the source said, also revealing that Angelina "has indicated she’s willing to settle their disputes."
This is music to our ears, as the pair have been embroiled in a "messy" divorce – including a very bitter custody battle and constant fighting over their French winery – for many years now, with Angelina reportedly blaming Brad for the failure of their marriage. A source told Us Weekly back in November 2019: "Angelina still has a lot of resentment toward Brad. She wants him to be held accountable because she feels he turned her and the children’s lives upside down."
The source also alleged at the time that Angelina was "using her kids as a weapon against her ex," and Brad had "lost count of all the times they haven’t been available to see him on special occasions." The source also said at the time that Angelina was looking to focus on "her kids, her job and cleaning up her messy divorce." It's now 2023 and there are still so many unresolved parts of the divorce, but Brad's relationship with his children might slowly be getting better.
