Brad Pitt has revealed that he experienced suicidal thoughts during the difficult period following his separation from Angelina Jolie and their children. In a candid interview with Esquire, the 62-year-old actor, known for his roles in "Fight Club" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," described the intense emotional pain that led him to contemplate suicide, though he emphasized he never acted on those feelings.
A Decade of Turmoil
Pitt and Jolie, who share six children—Maddox, 25, Pax, 22, Zahara, 21, Shiloh, 20, and 18-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox—have been embroiled in a highly publicized divorce since Jolie filed in 2016. The filing followed an alleged incident on a private jet where Jolie claimed Pitt choked one child and struck another. The FBI investigated but brought no charges.
In the Esquire interview, Pitt said, "I've never been suicidal except for one little period. And in that one little period, I just thought—I just couldn't—just didn't see a way out." He described the pain as "so oppressive" that he felt a sense of relief at the thought of a bullet, though he clarified, "I wasn't going to act on this."
A Turning Point
Pitt credited his "incredible survival instincts" for helping him overcome that dark chapter. He reflected, "This s*** ain't easy. And you're talking to a guy who won the lottery." When asked if the issues were related to his children, he replied simply, "Family stuff. We could leave it at that."
The couple was declared legally single in 2019 and finalized their divorce in December 2024. Pitt has previously spoken about his battles with alcohol and his efforts to rebuild his life post-split.
Jolie's Perspective
In June 2026, Jolie, 51, made rare comments about the divorce, admitting she has not dated since the split and has been "broken by life." She told Yahoo! Entertainment, "To be candid, I haven't dated since I divorced a decade ago. So I kind of get in my head that that aspect of me is not centered in my life if I'm focusing on my children, my family."
Pitt's revelations come amid reports that some of his children have distanced themselves, with one dropping his surname. The actor's candidness about his mental health struggles has sparked conversations about the pressures of fame and family.
Support Resources
For those experiencing similar feelings, support is available. The Samaritans can be reached 24/7 at 116 123, via email at jo@samaritans.org, or in person at branches. PAPYRUS offers specialized suicide prevention support for young people through HOPELINE247 at 0800 068 4141, text 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
