Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, often dubbed as "Brangelina," were one of the most talked-about couples in Hollywood for over a decade. Their relationship captured the public’s imagination, becoming synonymous with glamour, philanthropy, and a whirlwind romance. However, in 2016, the world was stunned when news broke that the two stars, once considered Hollywood royalty, were heading toward divorce. Their split became one of the most scrutinized celebrity divorces in history, filled with legal battles, accusations, and intense media coverage.
In this article, we will explore the rise and fall of Brangelina’s marriage, the impact of their divorce on their personal lives and careers, and the aftermath of their highly publicized separation.
The Rise of Brangelina
Before the divorce, the relationship between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt was a fairy tale, albeit one with a complex backstory. The two actors met on the set of the 2005 film Mr. & Mrs. Smith, where they played a married couple who were secretly spies. At the time, both were in relationships with other people—Brad Pitt was married to actress Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie was still recovering from her divorce from actor Jonny Lee Miller.
The on-set chemistry between Jolie and Pitt was undeniable, and their relationship quickly blossomed into a romance. They made headlines when they appeared together in public, and the media began speculating about the nature of their relationship. Within months, it was confirmed that Pitt and Aniston had separated, and the rumors of an affair between Pitt and Jolie took center stage. Despite the media frenzy, Jolie and Pitt remained steadfast and publicly denied any wrongdoing in their relationship.
In 2006, Jolie and Pitt announced that they were expecting their first child together, which led to even more press attention. The birth of their daughter, Shiloh Nouvel Pitt, in May 2006, marked a major milestone in their relationship. Jolie’s decision to give birth in Namibia, away from the spotlight, only fueled the media’s obsession with the couple.
The following years saw the couple expand their family. They adopted several children from different parts of the world, including Zahara from Ethiopia, Pax from Vietnam, and Maddox from Cambodia. Their commitment to philanthropy and humanitarian work also solidified their image as a modern-day power couple. They used their wealth and fame to bring attention to various global issues, especially in conflict zones where Jolie worked as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador.
The Wedding: A Quiet Affair
After years of dating and building a family together, Jolie and Pitt finally married in a private ceremony at their estate in France on August 23, 2014. The wedding was an intimate affair, with only close family members in attendance. The couple’s six children played significant roles in the ceremony, with some serving as flower girls, others as ring bearers, and all involved in the planning of the event.
The wedding was a highly anticipated event, but it was also a very private and personal occasion. For a couple that had been in the public eye for so long, the low-key nature of their wedding seemed like a reflection of their desire for normalcy in an otherwise extraordinary life. Despite the privacy of their nuptials, the media still managed to capture the details, especially the wedding dress designed by Atelier Versace, which was covered in drawings made by their children.
For many fans, this was the moment when Brangelina seemed like the ultimate Hollywood couple—a union that transcended the typical celebrity romance. But despite the outward appearance of bliss, cracks were beginning to form beneath the surface.
Trouble in Paradise: The Breakup
By 2016, rumors began circulating that all was not well in Brangelina’s paradise. The couple had been together for over a decade, and while they had made numerous public appearances together, whispers of tension behind closed doors began to surface. There was speculation that Pitt and Jolie had grown apart due to their busy careers and different priorities.
In September 2016, Jolie filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The news came as a shock to many, as the couple had always presented themselves as strong and united. However, just days after the filing, the media was bombarded with a flurry of reports detailing the reasons behind their split.
One of the most widely discussed aspects of their divorce was the custody battle over their six children. Jolie sought sole physical custody, while Pitt requested joint custody. The couple’s parenting style and the well-being of their children became a focal point of the divorce proceedings. Both parties were reportedly at odds over how to raise their children, with allegations of abuse and neglect being levied against Pitt, which Pitt vehemently denied.
The details of the custody battle were highly publicized, with tabloids speculating about the children’s living arrangements and the impact the divorce would have on their lives. In addition to the custody dispute, there were also reports of tension between Jolie and Pitt’s legal teams. As the legal battles dragged on, it became clear that the divorce would not be a quick or amicable process.
The Media Frenzy
The divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt quickly became a media circus. The press eagerly covered every aspect of their breakup, from their relationship timeline to the accusations and counter-accusations that surfaced in court. Celebrities, friends, and family members were all drawn into the public spectacle, with various sources close to the couple leaking information to the media.
Jolie’s decision to file for divorce publicly led to widespread speculation about the reasons behind the split. Some suggested that Pitt’s drinking and alleged temper were contributing factors, while others pointed to Jolie’s reported health issues, including her struggles with weight and stress. The press focused on the personal and private aspects of the relationship, often sensationalizing the details for maximum impact.
The couple’s children were also a central point of the media’s obsession. Every aspect of their lives seemed to be scrutinized, from their schooling to their living arrangements after the divorce. Jolie’s desire to protect her children from the spotlight was frequently mentioned, but the media attention on the family only intensified during the divorce proceedings.
The Custody Battle and Its Aftermath
The custody battle between Jolie and Pitt was one of the most bitter aspects of their divorce. While both parties reportedly wanted what was best for their children, their differing approaches to parenting created a deep divide between them. Jolie’s legal team argued that she should have sole custody due to concerns about Pitt’s behavior, while Pitt’s team accused Jolie of being too controlling and attempting to alienate him from their children.
In 2017, the couple reached a temporary custody agreement, with both Jolie and Pitt sharing joint legal custody, though Jolie had primary physical custody. This arrangement seemed to placate both sides for a while, but the legal battles continued for several more years. The custody situation remained in the public eye, and reports of reconciliation attempts were often overshadowed by ongoing legal disputes.
In the years that followed the divorce filing, both Jolie and Pitt continued with their careers, and their lives seemed to move in different directions. Jolie pursued her humanitarian work and acting career, directing films such as First They Killed My Father and By the Sea, while Pitt continued to act and produce films through his company, Plan B Entertainment.
Despite the continued media attention, both Jolie and Pitt tried to maintain a sense of privacy and normalcy in their lives. They both focused on their children, and reports suggested that the co-parenting situation was improving, though the details of their family life were kept mostly private.
The Finalization of the Divorce
The divorce was finally finalized in April 2019, after nearly three years of legal proceedings. Although the couple’s split was legally concluded, the impact of their separation continued to be felt in the public eye. The custody arrangement was reportedly solidified, and both Jolie and Pitt seemed to have found a new sense of balance in their lives.
Jolie went on to continue her humanitarian work and acting career, while Pitt’s career experienced a resurgence with his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Despite the tumultuous years following their divorce, both Jolie and Pitt have found success in their professional lives and have made efforts to maintain positive relationships with their children.
Reflections on the Brangelina Divorce
The divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt remains one of the most publicized celebrity breakups in history. Their relationship, from its high-profile beginnings to its dramatic end, captured the attention of millions around the world. The split was marked by intense media scrutiny, legal battles, and a deeply personal custody dispute. However, despite the challenges they faced, both Jolie and Pitt have managed to rebuild their lives and careers.
The Brangelina divorce serves as a reminder of the complexities of relationships, even for those who appear to have it all. It also highlights the immense pressures that come with being in the public eye, especially when it involves children and personal matters. While their marriage may have ended, both Jolie and Pitt continue to be influential figures in Hollywood, using their platform for causes that are important to them.
In the years since their divorce, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have remained focused on their individual journeys, proving that even after the most public of separations, both can continue to thrive and move forward.