Brad Pitt Opens Up About His Strained Relationship With His Children: “I Just Want Them to Know I’m Here”

After years of silence and speculation, Brad Pitt is finally breaking his silence about one of the most painful chapters of his life — the fractured relationship with his six children following his long and highly publicized custody battle with Angelina Jolie.

In a rare and deeply emotional interview, the Fight Club and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood actor reflected on the toll that years of legal turmoil and public scrutiny have taken — not just on his image, but on his heart.

“My kids don’t call me back sometimes,” Pitt admitted softly. “And that hurts. But I understand why. There’s been so much noise, so much pain — things no family should have to go through in public. I’ve made mistakes, I’ve owned them, and now I’m just trying to rebuild, slowly.”

The 61-year-old actor has spent the past seven years navigating an exhausting custody dispute that began after his 2016 split from Jolie. Earlier this year, a previously sealed 2022 court transcript was leaked, dragging the couple’s painful history back into the spotlight and reopening old wounds for Pitt.

“It’s hard when every step forward feels like it’s followed by two steps back,” he reflected. “I read things about myself that don’t feel like me anymore. I’ve done the work — therapy, sobriety, reflection — but the world doesn’t always let you move on. And neither do the people you’ve hurt.”

Pitt and Jolie share six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. Some of them have reportedly distanced themselves in recent years, but Pitt insists that his hope for reconciliation hasn’t faded. “They’re smart, kind, and strong,” he said. “I don’t expect forgiveness overnight. I just want them to know I’m here, always. No matter what they’ve heard, no matter what’s been said — I love them more than anything.”

For Pitt, healing has meant turning inward and stepping away from Hollywood’s relentless spotlight. These days, he splits his time between creative projects and quiet reflection — including his art, architecture work, and his Château Miraval winery in France. “The quiet helps,” he explained. “When you strip away the fame, the noise, the judgment — you’re just a dad trying to be better. That’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.”

Part of that journey has been his commitment to therapy and sobriety, which he credits for helping him find peace. “There was a time when I used alcohol to numb the pain,” he confessed. “Now, I face it. I sit with it. And it’s not easy — but it’s honest. That’s the only way I can move forward.”

Though his relationship with some of his children remains distant, Pitt says he hasn’t given up on rebuilding those bonds. “Time doesn’t heal everything, but it gives you the chance to show up differently,” he said. “If one day they pick up the phone and want to talk, I’ll be here — with open arms and no expectations.”

After seven years of public battles, rumors, and personal reflection, Brad Pitt says his priorities have never been clearer. “I don’t care about winning or losing anymore,” he said. “The only victory I want is to be part of my kids’ lives again.”