My kids come first
Brad Pitt’s new life
He used to divide his days between luxe properties in New Orleans, Majorca and the South of France, but lately Brad Pitt is happiest pottering around his Hollywood Hills bungalow. “I just feel life in this house,” explains the actor, who is always “making things or changing things around”.
However, the real reason Brad’s become such a homebody following his shocking 2016 split from Angelina Jolie is his desire to strengthen his relationship with their six children. A family insider tells Woman’s
Day, “Brad’s number-one concern is his kids.”
To that end, the Allied star has rearranged his work schedule to stick close over the next few months. “He chose a project that films in LA,” our insider explains of the actor’s role in Quentin Tarantino’s OnceUpona TimeinHollywood.
Brad also hopes his availability will help him achieve the one thing he’s insisting on in the divorce settlement. Our insider says, “Brad wants certain provisions in a custody agreement that guarantee custodial time with all kids.”
For now, the actor’s children – Maddox, 16, Pax, 14, Zahara, 13, Shiloh, 12, and nine-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne – visit their father a few times a week. To make things easier on them, Angelina, 43, found a house just down the street from her estranged husband.
Still, though the exes are cooperating for the sake of their brood, the globetrotting
Maleficent actress isn’t happy about having to stick close to home. Our insider says, “Ange has been hesitant to agree to Brad’s terms. She resents him for essentially forcing her to settle in LA with the kids.”
As for the children themselves, with their very distinct personalities, they’re all dealing with their parents’ divorce in different ways.
“Maddox is very insular and rarely expresses his true feelings, so it’s hard to get a gauge on what’s going on inside his head, but he’s doing extremely well at school and wants to go on to study computer science,” reveals a family friend.
“He had the hardest time dealing with the split in the early days, and he and Pax would often bump heads over it as Pax is so happy-go-lucky. Maddox felt like he couldn’t relate to his brother, which was hard, but they’ve managed to build bridges over the last few months.”
Shiloh has reportedly had intense counselling over the divorce, as well as her own gender identity issues, while Zahara and the twins are said to be coping fine. The friend
adds, “Zahara hopes to follow in her parents’ footsteps as she absolutely loves drama. She’s starring in her upcoming school play, which both Ange and Brad will attend.
“Overall, they’re doing well and adjusting to their new life with separated parents, but it’s clear there are many underlying issues that are still yet to be dealt with and Ange and Brad are both prepared for that battle.”
Though Angelina played nice when it came to meeting Brad’s new girlfriend, architecture professor Neri Oxman, 42, she’s not ready to roll over when it comes to wrapping up their complex divorce negotiations, which have dragged on for almost two years now – despite their prenuptial agreement.
While their $90 million Chateau Miraval estate, including its lucrative vineyard and olive grove, makes dividing assets complicated, the biggest bone of contention between the former couple continues to be custody of the children.
“There hasn’t even been a settlement agreement drafted by either side yet,” notes our insider. “This is revealing as to how at odds they continue to be.”
However long the process takes, Brad seems determined not to let it get him down. When he isn’t filming, or spending time with his kids or Neri, the actor is busy embracing his new reality, reconnecting with old mates, hanging out with new ones, adding to his beloved art collection and going to concerts.
“He is in a really good place now,” says our insider. “He’s finally getting back to the Brad that his family and close friends remember.”