Brad Pitt has opened up about a dark period in his life, revealing that he felt 'suicidal' following his estrangement from Angelina Jolie and their children. The 62-year-old actor, who shares six children with Jolie, spoke candidly to Esquire about the emotional turmoil he experienced.
Pitt's Candid Admission
In the interview, Pitt said he 'just didn't see a way out' from the pain. 'I've never been suicidal except for one little period,' he told the publication. 'And in that one little period, I just thought — I just couldn't — just didn't see a way out.'
The two-time Oscar winner described the intensity of his suffering, saying, 'The pain was so oppressive. I wasn't going to act on this, but I could feel — I could feel the cold steel of the bullet in my head, and it felt like relief.' He added, 'And I thought, "Oh, okay, now I understand" — I understand suicide, in the sense that it's just relief. It's just looking for relief from the pain.'
Survival Instincts and Family Struggles
Pitt credited his 'incredible survival instincts' for pulling him through, noting, 'This s*** ain't easy. And you're talking to a guy who won the lottery.' When asked if he had been dealing with problems involving his children, he replied, 'Family stuff,' without elaborating further.
The alleged incident that led to Jolie's divorce filing in 2016 involved claims that Pitt 'choked one of the children and struck another in the face' during a confrontation on a private jet. The FBI investigated the allegations but did not bring charges. The former couple was declared legally single in 2019 and finalized their divorce in December 2024.
Jolie's Recent Comments
In June 2026, Jolie said she was 'broken by life' in rare comments about the split. She admitted she hasn't dated since the divorce, saying, 'To be candid, I haven't dated since I divorced a decade ago. So I kind of get in my head that that aspect of me is not centered in my life if I'm focusing on my children, my family.'
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, support is available. The Samaritans can be reached 24/7 at 116 123, or via email at jo@samaritans.org. PAPYRUS offers specialized support for young people at 0800 068 4141, or by texting 88247.
