Angelina Jolie’s rare insight into Brad Pitt split: ‘Had a lot of healing to do’

Angelina Jolie has opened up about what “saved” her from going to “much darker” places during a candid new interview with Vogue.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Picture: Rune Hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images

Angelina Jolie has spoken cryptically about her break-up with Brad Pitt in a new interview, admitting that being a mum “saved” her from going to “much darker” places.

Speaking to US Vogue, the actress explained that she’d stayed focused on parenting in order to cope with the fallout of her split from her partner of more than a decade.

“I was 26 when I became a mother. My entire life changed. Having children saved me — and taught me to be in this world differently,” she told the publication.

“I think, recently, I would’ve gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them. They’re better than me, because you want your children to be.”

In 2016, Jolie and Pitt announced they were divorcing after 12 years together. The former couple share six children: Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, Shiloh, 17, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.

The Maleficent star admitted to Vogue that she was still feeling “a bit down” amid her “transition as a person”.

“I’m still understanding who I am at 48. I guess I’m in transition as a person,” she said.

“I don’t feel like I’ve been myself for a decade, in a way, which I don’t want to get into.”

Jolie also hinted at the struggles of her entire family, telling the magazine: “We had a lot of healing to do. We’re still finding our footing.”

Angelina Jolie in Vogue’s November 2023 issue. Picture: Annie Leibovitz/Vogue

Jolie with her children at the Eternals premiere in London in 2021. Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Jolie appeared in the November 2023 edition of Vogue to promote her new fashion company, Atelier Jolie, but explained that she didn’t want to be “a big fashion designer”.

“I want to build a house for other people to become that. I’m hoping to change many aspects of my life. And this is the forward-facing one.”

Brangelina split in 2016. Picture: Rune Hellestad/Corbis via Getty Images)

The actress went on to explain that she wanted to create a space where women can “feel safe enough” to be “soft” – something she admitted she had struggled with.

“Sometimes the way you dress says, ‘Don’t mess with me – I’ve got my armour on,’” she said.

“After I went through something where I was hurt, I had a therapist ask if I would try wearing a flowing garment. Sounds silly, but I assumed that pants and boots projected a ‘tougher’ look, a stronger me.

“I felt vulnerable”

Jolie’s latest interview follows a tumultuous few years in her life, with her high-profile divorce dragging out in court.

Jolie and Pitt first met on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith, while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston – although he has always denied speculation the pair had had an affair.

When Pitt and Aniston broke up in 2005, he moved on with Jolie and the pair was quickly dubbed Brangelina.

They tied the knot in 2014, but just two years later, announced their split amid reports of an alleged altercation on a private flight with their children.

However, no charges were ever laid.