Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 11, 2025 · Entertainment

Brad Pitt's Alleged Estrangement from Adopted Children: A Family Drama Unfolds

Brad Pitt's separation from actress Jennifer Aniston in 2005 convulsed the nation and rumors of his relationship with co-star Angelina Jolie set Hollywood ablaze (the pair are pictured in 2007)

Exclusive: Brad Pitt's Family Feud - The A-list Actor's Children Turn on Him, Leaving Him Heartbroken and Helpless

It's been a wild ride for Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt, from his whirlwind romance with Jennifer Aniston to his highly publicized split with Angelina Jolie. But now, the 61-year-old actor is facing an even bigger challenge: his children are turning on him.

Pax, his adopted son with Jolie, was spotted stumbling out of the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel in Los Angeles last month, looking like a zombie and propped up by friends. It's just the latest incident in a long line of drama that has left Pitt feeling helpless and heartbroken.

Now, in exclusive comments to the Daily Mail, a source close to Pitt say he has washed his hands of his son Pax (pictured last month in LA): 'He has zero concern with what Pax does or doesn't do. [Pax's] actions reflect who he is'

According to sources close to the actor, Pitt has washed his hands of Pax's antics and considers their relationship "unfixable." But it's not just Pax who is causing trouble - Maddox, another adopted son with Jolie, has also been at odds with his father. In fact, Maddox was reportedly involved in a physical confrontation with Pitt on a private jet in 2016 that led to the couple's divorce.

As for the other children, things aren't looking much better. Shiloh, the 19-year-old daughter Pitt and Jolie adopted together, has officially dropped her father's last name and now goes by Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. And with at least three of the other four kids informally dropping the famous surname as well, it seems like a clear sign that they're trying to distance themselves from their father.

But why are Pitt's children turning on him? According to insiders, it all boils down to how he has treated them over the years. "Brad continues to play the victim," says a source close to Jolie. "His fractured relationship with his children is a direct result of how he has treated them. He should stop blaming others and make amends if he wants to rebuild a relationship with the kids."

Pitt and Jolie adopted Maddox (left), now 23, and Pax, 21, in 2001 and 2007 respectively. They're pictured here in 2013

Meanwhile, Pitt's camp claims that he blames his ex-wife for their rebellious behavior. "Brad believes that whatever his kids are going through right now is a direct result of how they have been raised," says a source close to Pitt. But it seems like too little, too late - the damage has already been done.

As the drama continues to unfold, Pitt's family is left feeling helpless and heartbroken. His parents, Jane and William, are particularly devastated by their son's estrangement from his children. "The Pitt family was hoping that after Brad and Angelina's divorce was finalized, the kids would come around and re-establish a relationship," says a Pitt family insider. But it seems like those hopes are slowly fading away.

For now, Pitt will have to focus on promoting his new movie, F1, which hits theaters on June 27. Jolie, who celebrated her 50th birthday on June 4, is also keeping busy with her upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated Maleficent 3. But as the drama surrounding their children continues to simmer, it's hard not to wonder what the future holds for this Hollywood power couple.

Nine years on from Angelina and Brad's split, Pitt now appears ready to cut ties with at least two of his children while desperately holding out hope for reconcile with the other four. (Pictured: Brad and Angelina with Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne in 2011).

The Scholarly Note

Stay tuned for more updates on Brad Pitt's family feud and the latest celebrity gossip!

Shiloh, Pitt and Jolie's 19-year-old Namibia-born daughter, legally changed her last name last year on the day she turned 18, dropping Pitt and officially opting to be known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. (Pictured: Shiloh with a friend in May).