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Brad Pitt | Source: Getty Images
Brad Pitt | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt Raised 6 Kids in Mansion Now Reportedly for Sale & Opts to Be Homebody Dad Instead of Red Carpet Dad

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Jan 30, 2023
12:00 P.M.
  • Brad Pitt reportedly wants to take a step back from Hollywood, in what is being called a "semi-retirement."

  • Despite a difficult divorce, he "supports his children and what makes them happy."

  • Pitt is a homebody, so when he has time with his kids, he loves being at home with them.

  • At some point in their ongoing custody battle, Pitt and his ex, Jolie, agreed to put their children first, after which their relationship improved.

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Brad Pitt is an American actor distinguished by his good looks and ability to play various complex characters. His given name is William Bradley Pitt, and he was born on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

His first movie to attract industry recognition was "Thelma and Louise" in 1991. Pitt thereafter proved himself as a capable leading man in films like "Legends of the Fall" and "Interview with a Vampire" alongside Tom Cruise.

Brad Pitt attends the premiere of 20th Century Fox's "Ad Astra" at The Cinerama Dome on September 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt attends the premiere of 20th Century Fox's "Ad Astra" at The Cinerama Dome on September 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Pitt escaped being typecast as a heartthrob by taking on gritty roles that demanded depth and nuance rather than just a handsome face. His performances in "12 Monkeys" and "Fight Club," where he sparred with Edward Norton, are some notable examples.

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Pitt's superstar status has attracted intense media scrutiny of his personal life.

Pitt has won many awards for his work in film, including an Academy Award for "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood" and a Golden Globe for "12 Monkeys." Over the years, he has expanded his work to include the production of films and television shows.

Brad Pitt attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Bullet Train" at the Regency Village theatre in Westwood, California, August 1, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt attends the Los Angeles premiere of "Bullet Train" at the Regency Village theatre in Westwood, California, August 1, 2022. | Source: Getty Images

The Divorce

His personal life is not so rosy. The actor is currently involved in a legal battle over child custody with his ex, Angelina Jolie. At one point, both parties had joint custody of their minor children, but that decision was overturned, compelling Pitt to settle for visitation rights. Speaking of his experience with the case back in 2017, he said:

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"You spend a year just focused on building a case to prove your point and why you're right and why they're wrong, and it's just an investment in vitriolic hatred. I just refuse."

Pitt recognized that the divorce had been especially difficult for the children who experienced the physical and emotional shearing of their family. He and their mother had kept it civil then, agreeing that the good of the children is more important than anything. Speaking further about the agony of divorce in 2021, Pitt said:

"We're both doing our best. I heard one lawyer say, 'No one wins in court—it's just a matter of who gets hurt worse.'"

Brad Pitt and his wife Jennifer Aniston attend the official projection of the film "Troy" at the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2004 in the French Riviera town. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt and his wife Jennifer Aniston attend the official projection of the film "Troy" at the 57th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2004 in the French Riviera town. | Source: Getty Images

Pitt's superstar status has attracted intense media scrutiny of his personal life, with fans wanting to know every detail including who he is dating.

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The actor has had some famous girlfriends in the past, including Gwenyth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston. In 2005, he and the "Friends" star got married, making a Hollywood power couple.

[Pitt] and his ex-wife are focused on making sure that their children become stronger from this experience.

But it wasn't meant to be. His first marriage to Aniston ended in 2005, with speculation that Pitt fell in love with his "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" co-star, Jolie.

Jolie and Pitt got together soon after and he adopted her two children, Maddox and Zahara in 2006. The actress had adopted her son, Maddox, from Cambodia, and her daughter, Zahara, from Ethiopia.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at a press conference after the birth of their daughter Shiloh on June 7, 2006 at the Swakopmund Hotel  in Namibia | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at a press conference after the birth of their daughter Shiloh on June 7, 2006 at the Swakopmund Hotel in Namibia | Source: Getty Images

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The couple also welcomed a biological child, Shiloh, that same year. Then they adopted Pax from Vietnam in 2007 and had biological twins, Vivienne and Knox in 2008.

The Hollywood stars got married in 2014 after establishing their family. But the former UN goodwill ambassador filed for divorce just two years later, following a verbal confrontation between Pitt and teenage son Maddox on a private plane. An investigation by the authorities ensued, but Pitt was cleared of any allegations of abuse.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend a private reception as costumes and props from Disney's "Maleficent" are exhibited in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital at Kensington Palace on May 8, 2014 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie attend a private reception as costumes and props from Disney's "Maleficent" are exhibited in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital at Kensington Palace on May 8, 2014 in London, England. | Source: Getty Images

As Pitt and his legal team continue to explore all channels to get to the desired custody arrangement, he and his ex-wife are focused on making sure that their children become stronger from this experience. Pitt said that he strives to be open with his children about his past and how it has shaped who he has become.

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He is a very attentive father who cultivates a special bond with each child.

But the actor's reality is that where there was once the noise and warmth of children is now cold and quiet. He has had to adjust from being married with six children to being single with his kids mostly residing elsewhere.

Brad Pitt and Maddox Jolie-Pitt are seen at LAX on June 06, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt and Maddox Jolie-Pitt are seen at LAX on June 06, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Homebody Dad

In the meantime, Pitt's kids are growing. It's hard to believe that Maddox is now 21 years old, Zahara is 18, Pax is 19, Shiloh is 16 and the twins, Knox and Vivienne, are 14. Speaking of the way his parenting has changed after the divorce, a source close to the actor said:

"He spends low-key time with his kids at home. He keeps their time together private. They are homebodies and have a good routine in place."

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The doting father recognizes that his kids are growing and may have different needs. He strives to support them in the decisions they make and encourages them to be themselves. He just wants his children to be happy.

Brad Pitt visits playground with children Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Pax Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Jolie-Pitt in New York City on August 26, 2007. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt visits playground with children Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Pax Jolie-Pitt and Maddox Jolie-Pitt in New York City on August 26, 2007. | Source: Getty Images

Those who have had the privilege of getting close to Pitt, like his "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" co-star Taraji P. Henson, observed that he is a very attentive father who cultivates a special bond with each child.

Even after separating, the now co-parents are keeping to that goal of intentional and child-centered parenting.

The actress revealed back in 2010 when Pitt and Jolie were still a couple that Pitt would bring his children to set, one at a time, so he could spend quality time with them.

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Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their six children Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne arrive at Haneda International Airport on November 8 in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and their six children Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne arrive at Haneda International Airport on November 8 in Tokyo, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

The parents had a shared vision then for raising their children. When asked whether they would be adding to their brood, Jolie answered:

“We’re not opposed to it. But we want to make sure we can give everybody special time. We want to make sure we don’t build a family so big that we don’t have absolutely enough time to raise them each really well.”

She added that when children are young, taking care of a bunch of them is easier than when they get a bit older and require more time and attention as they navigate the formative years. Even after separating, the now co-parents are keeping to that goal of intentional and child-centered parenting.

Brad Pitt arrives at Narita International Airport with his child Knox Jolie-Pitt on January 27, 2009 in Narita, Chiba, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt arrives at Narita International Airport with his child Knox Jolie-Pitt on January 27, 2009 in Narita, Chiba, Japan. | Source: Getty Images

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When discussing how being a father has changed his idea of who a good father is, the "Inglourious Basterds" star said that he came from a place where fathers were expected to be strong and all-knowing. He learned to suppress his emotions because doing so was considered a sign of strength.

The house is full of memories of happier times, a bittersweet sensation for him.

But the divorce and his children have taught him that a father is better for being vulnerable and allowing his family to see him work through the difficult experiences of life. Such a father gives his children the permission to love and accept him and themselves even when things are not perfect.

Brad Pitt and Zahara Jolie-Pitt visit Central Park in New York City on August 28, 2007. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt and Zahara Jolie-Pitt visit Central Park in New York City on August 28, 2007. | Source: Getty Images

A House Full of Memories

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The "Moneyball" actor recently put his $40 million home on the market. Located in the Los Feliz neighborhood, the 1.9-acre property was the primary residence where he and Jolie raised their children. Speaking about finding comfort while living with his dog Jaques as a companion, Pitt said:

“I get up every morning and I make a fire. When I go to bed, I make a fire, just because—it makes me feel life. I just feel life in this house.”

Pitt bought the original lot in 1994 from actress Cassandra Peterson for $1.7 million and added adjacent properties to it along the way to make an impressive family home complete with a pool, skating rink, and tennis court, not to mention the impressive grounds with mature trees and gardens.

Aerial shot of Brad Pitt's Hollywood Hills home after extensions taken on January 27 1997 in Hollywood Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

Aerial shot of Brad Pitt's Hollywood Hills home after extensions taken on January 27 1997 in Hollywood Hills, California | Source: Getty Images

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A source close to the "Tree of Life" actor revealed that he is now "looking for something smaller" in the L. A. area. His kids are growing older and as they enter adulthood will have a choice to stick around or strike out on their own. Undeniably, the house is full of memories of happier times, a bittersweet sensation for him.

A different source said that Pitt would be leaving Hollywood behind and moving to France to pursue a peaceful life at his vineyard, making art and furniture.

In 2017, Pitt's ex-wife bought a $25 million estate of 2.1 acres in the same neighborhood, wanting to keep the children as close to their father as possible after their divorce. Besides their pending custody issues, the couple is also yet to divide their assets accumulated during their 11-year relationship.

Shot of the gated community where Brad Pitt's house is located in Los Feliz, California, on September 20, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

Shot of the gated community where Brad Pitt's house is located in Los Feliz, California, on September 20, 2016 | Source: Getty Images

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A Little Retired

Pitt recently sold his 60 percent stake in his production company Plan B Entertainment to Mediawan, a French media company. He founded Plan B with his first wife, Aniston. The company has been responsible for some great films like "12 Years A Slave." Regarding the sale, a source close to the actor claimed:

“Brad has decided that he wants to live a peaceful life going forward and is deciding what ‘semi-retirement’ looks like for him.”

The source further said that the actor would be stepping back from all other business ventures except acting, while a different source said that Pitt would be leaving Hollywood behind and moving to France to pursue a peaceful life at his vineyard, making art and furniture.

Brad Pitt attends the "Fury" Press Conference at Conrad Hotel on November 13, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt attends the "Fury" Press Conference at Conrad Hotel on November 13, 2014 in Seoul, South Korea. | Source: Getty Images

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Needless to say, only time and Pitt himself will tell what his next move is. Meanwhile, his work speaks for itself. He continues to bring his A-game to performances in films like "Babylon" and "Bullet Train." He is set to appear in a film about Formula 1 racing, produced by racing legend Lewis Hamilton.

Brad Pitt is in a better place in spite of all that he has been through.

In 2022, Pitt introduced a new skin-care line called Le Domaine. The products are made with natural ingredients and are made for everyone, regardless of gender.

Pitt also previously shared the property, Château Miraval, with his ex-wife, Jolie, who now owns it solely. The estate continues to produce mostly rose wines.

Brad Pitt films a scene from "World War Z" in Glasgow City Centre on August 18, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt films a scene from "World War Z" in Glasgow City Centre on August 18, 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland. | Source: Getty Images

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With the dramatic events surrounding his divorce and the heartbreak of not being able to be with his children as much as before, Pitt is putting the pieces of his life back together. The actor has been linked romantically with Ines de Ramon, a 32-year-old jewelry designer. A source close to the actor said:

"They have a good thing going on. There is no stress. Brad is enjoying it."

Brad Pitt poses ahead of the French premiere of "Babylon" at le Grand Rex in Paris on January 14, 2023. | Source: Getty Images

Brad Pitt poses ahead of the French premiere of "Babylon" at le Grand Rex in Paris on January 14, 2023. | Source: Getty Images

Pitt's new lady escorted him to the premiere of his film "Babylon." The couple, who have reportedly been having fun together and dating for a few months, celebrated the New Year with a Mexican getaway in Cabo San Lucas.

Brad Pitt is in a better place in spite of all that he has been through. He lost his wife and custody of his children, but he gained a deeper understanding of himself and has been dedicating himself to being the best father to his six children.

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