Brad Pitt says he felt suicidal during family struggles

Actor Brad Pitt has revealed that he experienced suicidal thoughts during a difficult period involving “family stuff” about a decade after his split from Angelina Jolie.

In an interview with Esquire, the 62-year-old actor said he had never felt suicidal before that period and described the emotional pain as overwhelming. He said the thought of suicide felt like a form of relief, but added that his survival instincts ultimately took over.

“This s–t ain’t easy,” Pitt said, noting that despite his successful career, he had gone through an extremely difficult time.

When asked whether he was dealing with issues involving his children, Pitt simply replied, “Family stuff,” and declined to discuss the matter further.

Pitt and Jolie share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox. Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 and sought full custody after an alleged incident involving Pitt and the children on a private jet. Pitt denied wrongdoing, and the FBI investigated the incident without bringing charges.

The couple were declared legally single in 2019 and finalized their divorce settlement in December 2024. Pitt has remained largely estranged from several of his children, according to media reports, while some have taken steps to remove “Pitt” from their surnames.