Brad Pitt struggles to reconnect with his children amid ongoing family feud

Brad Pitt is reportedly seeking to mend his strained relationship with his children, following years of legal battles and personal conflicts with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. The veteran actor, who spent Father’s Day alone in Los Angeles while his daughter Vivienne celebrated at the Tony Awards in New York City with her mother, is now expressing a willingness to call a truce with Jolie.

The Father’s Day snub came on the heels of another emotional blow for Pitt. His daughter Shiloh, who recently turned 18, filed paperwork to remove “Pitt” from her surname. This decision was quickly followed by her sisters, Vivienne, 15, and Zahara, 19, who also opted to drop their father’s last name. According to an insider, Brad’s children “want nothing to do with him,” and this sentiment has left the actor grappling with regret.

A source disclosed to In Touch that Brad is remorseful about his past behavior. The actor admits he failed as both a husband and a father during his time with Angelina, the insider explained. The former couple shares six children: Maddox, 22; Pax, 20; Zahara, 19; Shiloh, 18; and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.

The family feud has been deeply public and painfully personal. In 2021, Maddox testified against Brad in the custody dispute, recounting an alleged physical altercation on a private plane. Recently, it was reported that Maddox wants to sever ties with his father entirely, positioning himself as his mother’s protector. Pax also publicly denounced Brad, calling him a “world-class a**hole” in an Instagram post on Father’s Day 2020.

The recent name changes by Shiloh, Vivienne, and Zahara underscore the deep rift within the family. Vivienne was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Playbill for the Broadway musical “The Outsiders,” which she co-produced with Jolie. Zahara introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie at a sorority initiation ceremony at Spelman College in November 2023, signaling her allegiance to her mother.

Despite the mounting challenges, Brad remains hopeful for reconciliation. “Brad spent a lot of time and money trying to do what he thought was the right thing for his kids, but now he's wondering if it was worth it,” the insider revealed. His efforts included investments in their future, such as the Miraval estate in France, which he envisioned as a legacy for his children. However, their disinterest has made him question the value of these endeavors.

“Brad knows he can't force the issue and he can’t make his children want to see him,” the source continued. “It has to be on their terms, but he'll be there when they're ready.” As Brad navigates this complex emotional landscape, he hopes that time and patience will eventually heal the wounds within his fractured family.