Key Takeaways
- Brad Pitt reportedly finds the holiday season to be an “emotional time” due to his strained relationship with his children.
- An exclusive source reveals he is “very grateful” for the love and support of his girlfriend, jewelry executive Ines de Ramon.
- The family tension follows several of his children with ex-wife Angelina Jolie publicly dropping “Pitt” from their last names.
- Pitt and de Ramon, who have been dating since 2022, are reportedly living together and have built a strong relationship.
The holiday season can be a difficult time, and for Brad Pitt, it has become particularly poignant. An exclusive source tells PEOPLE that the Oscar-winning actor is navigating an “emotional time,” leaning on his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, for support amid ongoing challenges with his children.
A Complicated Family Dynamic
According to the source, the holidays bring a layer of sadness for Pitt, 61, as his relationship with his six children with ex-wife Angelina Jolie remains complicated. “With some of the older kids distancing themselves and dropping Pitt from their last name, of course it adds another layer of sadness,” the insider shared.
This strain comes years after Pitt and Jolie’s contentious divorce, which was finalized in December 2024 after being initiated in 2016. The source emphasized that Pitt has “always wanted to be a devoted father and that’s never changed,” but the current reality remains difficult.
Children Signal a Shift
The “distancing” has been made public through the actions of several of their children. Shiloh, 19, filed to legally drop “Pitt” from her surname on her 18th birthday in May 2024.
Her siblings have made similar moves. When their daughter Vivienne, 17, helped her mother produce the Broadway musical The Outsiders, she was credited in the Playbill as “Vivienne Jolie.” Similarly, when their eldest daughter Zahara, 20, joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Spelman College, she introduced herself as “Zahara Marley Jolie.”
Finding Solace in a New Relationship
Amid the family turmoil, Pitt has found a steadfast partner in Ines de Ramon. The couple, who began dating in 2022, have reportedly moved in together and are building a life. “He feels very grateful to have Ines in his life,” the source said. “Her support and love mean the world to him.”
While navigating personal challenges, Pitt remains focused on his career. He has been busy filming The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a project that sees him reprising his acclaimed role from Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. Despite the emotional weight of the holidays, Pitt’s relationship with de Ramon appears to be a source of stability and gratitude.