Brad Pitt reportedly 'heartbroken' as family rift deepens amid children's name changes

Pitt believes the growing distance between stems from years of parental alienation following his split from Jolie

Brad Pitt is reportedly struggling with the continuing estrangement from several of his children with former wife Angelina Jolie, with sources claiming the actor feels "heartbroken" as more of them move to legally drop his surname.

According to reports, Pitt believes the growing distance between him and his children stems from what those close to him describe as years of parental alienation following his split from Jolie in 2016. Sources cited by news.com.au claim the Oscar-winning actor feels he has been unfairly pushed out of his children's lives, though these allegations have not been independently verified.

The latest developments come after two of the former couple's eldest children, Maddox, 24, and Zahara, 21, reportedly began the legal process to remove "Pitt" from their surnames. Under California law, both published notices of their intended name changes in a Los Angeles newspaper ahead of court hearings scheduled for September. Zahara is seeking to become Zahara Marley Jolie, while Maddox has petitioned to become Maddox Chivan Jolie.

Their reported decisions follow similar moves by siblings Shiloh and Vivienne, who have also publicly used the surname "Jolie" in recent years, reflecting the family's long-running estrangement from Pitt.

Sources close to Pitt told news.com.au that the actor is devastated by the situation but continues to respect his children's choices. They claim he believes Jolie's actions over the years contributed to the fractured relationships, describing it as an "alienation campaign." Those claims represent the views of Pitt's associates and have not been substantiated in court.

Meanwhile, sources close to Jolie have consistently disputed that narrative, arguing the children's decisions are based on their own experiences and memories from the breakdown of their parents' marriage. They have maintained that the now-adult children have independently chosen the level of relationship they wish to have with their father.

Pitt and Jolie's highly publicised relationship ended in 2016 following a private jet incident that prompted investigations by child welfare authorities and the FBI. Pitt was not criminally charged, and the investigations concluded without charges being filed. The former couple's divorce was finalised in 2024, though legal disputes over Château Miraval, the French winery they once jointly owned, remain ongoing.

With all six of the former couple's children now adults, the custody chapter of their decade-long legal battle has officially come to an end. However, the latest reported name changes underscore the continuing emotional divide within one of Hollywood's most closely watched families.