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It seemed like the day would never come. Then, on December 30, 2024, Brad Pitt and ex Angelina Jolie signed their divorce after more than eight years of being involved in a bitter legal battle. “There is a great sense of relief that it is over,” said a source We weekly cover story. “A weight has been lifted.”
Now Pitt, 61, is looking ahead. ‘Brad wants to save his life [back] on track and putting this behind him,” the source said. “He can start again.” He’s excited about his long-awaited race car movie, F1will be published in June. Sources say he hopes to eventually rebuild his relationship with his six children (he and Jolie, 49, are parents to Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne). And he’s going full steam ahead when it comes to his romance with his jewelry store manager girlfriend of two years Ines de Ramon35, which sources say was the catalyst for Pitt finally making peace with Jolie. “Ines helped Brad move forward,” says a second source, “and think about the divorce in a new light.”
Perfect match
Pitt and Ramon seemed like a good fit from the start. They were first seen together in late 2022 and made their red carpet debut in September Wolfen premiere. “She brings out the best in Brad,” a source told Us at the time. They reportedly spent the holidays together at his $40 million mansion in Carmel, California. (If Us previously reported, the Ramon moved into Pitt’s LA home in early 2024.) With a busy career and his schedule full, the second source explains: “Ines has [brought him] a sense of calm and peace.”
Pitt leaned on her as he and Jolie continued to duke it out in court. In addition to ongoing custody issues, Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 for the sale of her share of the family’s vineyard, Château Miraval. Jolie has countersued for $250 million and included in the legal files an alleged account of a 2016 incident aboard a private plane in which she claims a drunken Pitt physically and verbally abused her and the children. Pitt denied that the altercation had become physical and was cleared after investigations by the Department of Family Services and the FBI.
Pitt and the Ramon have many similarities. The Ramon was going through her own divorce when she and Pitt got together — she and Vampire Diaries alumnus Paul Wesley split in 2022 after three years of marriage. “That’s something she and Brad bonded over,” says the second source. Adds the first source: “Ines has helped Brad through it from the start. She has been his rock.”
Their romance is a breath of fresh air for Pitt. “He had a volatile relationship with Angelina, and he doesn’t have that with Ines,” says the first source. “They are madly in love and work so well together. Brad is happier than ever.” In July, a source told Us that they enjoy “casual date nights” at home, often cooking and watching movies together. “Brad loves how easy-going and smart Ines is.”
Positive influence
She actively encouraged Pitt to finalize her divorce with Jolie. “Ines is very zen and does not like conflict or negativity. She wants Brad to find peace and forgiveness and move on,” the source said Us in May. “From her perspective, it doesn’t make sense for him to hold on to all the animosity.”
Although Brad’s divorce is now official, the second source explains that Pitt and the Ramon “are not putting any pressure on the marriage. [Still]they are devoted to each other and very serious. While the actor is happy to focus on his future with the jewelry designer, the source explains that he “doesn’t necessarily need to get married again at this point.”
Healthy outlet
Work was another reprieve for Pitt. “He’s very passionate about it [F1] and thinks it will be a great success,” says the second source, noting that the Oscar winner “has always been enamored with Formula 1 and racing. He knew it would be a huge challenge, which made him excited about the project.” Adds the source: “He is very focused on Ines and work. That’s what gets him through the hard times.”
Family ties
Pitt is hopeful – but realistic – about reconnecting with his children. Last May, Shiloh legally dropped her last name to Jolie. (Zahara and Vivienne also appear to only be using Jolie.)
‘Brad has no contact with the older children. It is a very sad situation for him,” said the second source. (In an allegedly resurfaced Instagram post Pax made on Father’s Day in 2020, he called the star a “world-class hole.”) According to a third source, Pitt retains joint custody of Knox and Vivienne “but has very limited time with them especially because of the filming for F1, which required travel.” The second source says Pitt and the twins “don’t have a super close relationship,” adding, “He’s always reaching out and hoping that things will eventually get better one day.”
The actor is cautiously optimistic about keeping the peace with Jolie. Their ongoing war for Miraval continues; in November, a judge denied Jolie’s requests to dismiss the case as it heads toward trial. ‘Brad is relieved that the divorce is finalized. He closed that chapter many years ago and can’t believe it took so long, but he knows there’s more to come with Miraval,” the second source explains. “This was just one hurdle for him. Still, he is happy to have it behind him.”
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With reporting by Andrea Simpson & Amanda Williams