Brad Pitt has revealed he contemplated taking his own life following his painful split from Angelina Jolie. The 62-year-old actor described a devastating low during the difficult period, saying the pain of navigating "family stuff" a decade after the breakup became overwhelming.
A Dark Moment of No Way Out
Speaking to Esquire, Pitt admitted he has only felt suicidal once, when emotional pain became so intense he could not see a path forward. "I've never been suicidal except for one little period. And in that one little period, I just didn't see a way out. The pain was so oppressive," he said.
He described a chilling visual: "I could feel the cold steel of the bullet in my head, and it felt like relief. I thought, 'Oh, okay, now I understand.'" Pitt explained that he understood suicide as a search for relief from pain.
Survival Instincts Kicked In
The Fight Club star stressed he never intended to act on those thoughts. "I also think we have incredible survival instincts. And for me, that immediately kicked in. Listen, this s*** ain't easy. And you're talking to a guy who won the lottery," he added.
Pitt married Jolie in 2014 after meeting on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith. She filed for divorce in 2016 following a private jet incident, later citing the "wellbeing" of her family. Several of their children have since legally dropped the Pitt surname.
Return to Drinking
Pitt also opened up about drinking again after seven years of sobriety. He admitted becoming "overconfident" but soon realized alcohol still wasn't for him. "I was sober for seven years. And then I got back off the wagon. In a more restrained manner. I got overconfident a couple times, went, yep, nope, not good for me. Not in big quantities," he said.
