Brad Pitt opens up about mental health struggles and suicidal ideation following divorce from Angelina Jolie

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has revealed that he experienced profound emotional distress and fleeting thoughts of suicide following his 2016 separation from actress Angelina Jolie.

In a candid interview with Esquire magazine, the 62-year-old actor reflected on the period immediately following the dissolution of his marriage. Pitt described the experience as one of the most difficult phases of his life, noting that he reached a point where he felt unable to move forward.

While clarifying that he never intended to cause himself physical harm, Pitt explained that he came to understand why those in deep psychological anguish might view death as a form of liberation. He described the intensity of his suffering as a stifling, freezing sensation, noting that while he did not act on these impulses, he felt a desperate desire for relief from the emotional burden he was carrying at the time.

When asked if the turmoil was linked to his children, Pitt declined to elaborate, citing strictly private family matters. He opted to conclude the discussion on that subject, stating that he preferred not to speak further on the topic.

Pitt and Jolie first met on the set of the film “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” and later married, sharing six children together. Their relationship ended in 2016 when Jolie filed for divorce and sought sole custody of their children. Following a protracted legal battle, the couple was granted legal single status in 2019, with their divorce reaching a final settlement in December 2024.