Angelina Jolie's Kids 'Wanted Her to Speak Up for Herself' in Divorce from Brad Pitt, Says Source (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Pax, Angelina Jolie, Zahara and Maddox on Sept. 29, 2024.Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Angelina JolieandBrad Pitt’s kids wanted her to be more outspoken in publicly defending herself during their divorce battle, according to a source.

“She’s been trying hard to be light after a dark time,” a source close to theMariaactress tells PEOPLE. “The kids have grown up seeing that some people have so much power and privilege that their voices don’t matter. Their pain doesn’t count.”

“They have wanted her to speak up for herself, to defend herself over these years but she reminds them tofocus on changing laws over telling public stories,” adds the source.

Jolie, 49, and Pitt, 61, met as costars on 2005’sMr. and Mrs. Smiththen got married in 2014. They sharesix children:Maddox, 23,Pax, 21,Zahara, 19,Shiloh, 18, and twinsVivienneandKnox, 16.

PEOPLE confirmed Monday, Dec. 30, thatJolie and Pitt reached an agreement in their divorce, signing papers to make it official.

Angelina Jolie; Brad Pitt.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Rebecca Sapp/Getty

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty; Rebecca Sapp/Getty

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Jolie’s divorce attorney James Simon of Hersh Mannis said in a statement, in part, that since filing for divorce eight years ago Jolie has “focused on finding peace and healing for their family.” He added, “Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”

A source close to Pitt tells PEOPLE Jolie’s “one-sided attacks” over the course of their divorce proceedings have included “a never-ending distortion of facts … causing tremendous collateral damage to those in and around the family.”

One source said in July 2024 that Pitthas “virtually no contact” with their adult children, however, per an agreement with Jolie, “he has visitation with the younger kids.” Several of the children havetaken measures to remove “Pitt” from their last names.

The distance from his kids “pains him,” asource previously told PEOPLE. “He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad.”

Of the years-long divorce battle, an insider said in July 2024, “It’s really sad for the children, but also the parents. Divorce, especially one so high-profile,can be challenging for the whole family. … They both care about the children.”

Angelina Jolie; Brad Pitt.James Devaney/GC; BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/Getty

James Devaney/GC; BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/Getty

During interviews in recent months, Jolie has described herkids as “especially shy, very private people,” and said, “They weren’t born with privacy, right? So I hope that they can have that as they grow old.”

Jolie and Pitt are still at odds in a lawsuit over the French winery they once owned together, which is not connected to their divorce proceedings. Herlawyer in that case previously said, in part, “She wants this to end, the children want this to end, and Mr. Pitt should focus on healing their family, not pursuing lawsuits.”

In November, a Pitt source said his recent victories in thecase “demonstrates the legitimacyof his claims and demonstrates yet again the other side’s talk is not backed up with substance.”

source: people.com