Angelina Jolie says her children became her greatest source of strength after her divorce from Brad Pitt, as legal disputes linked to Château Miraval continue to draw attention.

Hollywood actor and filmmaker Angelina Jolie has opened up about the emotional challenges she faced following her separation from former husband Brad Pitt, describing the years after the breakup as one of the most difficult periods of her life.

In a recent interview with Variety, Jolie said the divorce left her emotionally exhausted and struggling to find direction. She admitted that at one stage she felt she had lost much of her fighting spirit, but credited her six children with helping her rebuild her life and regain a sense of purpose.

The actor said motherhood became her anchor during a period marked by personal upheaval, legal battles and intense public scrutiny.

Hollywood's Power Couple

Jolie and Pitt first met while filming the movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004. Their relationship quickly attracted global attention and they went on to become one of Hollywood's most closely followed couples.

Over the years, the pair built a family and were frequently in the spotlight not only for their film careers but also for their humanitarian work and philanthropic initiatives.

Their relationship remained a major topic in entertainment media for more than a decade.

Wedding In France

After nearly ten years together, the couple married in August 2014 at their French estate, Château Miraval.

The ceremony was intentionally private, attended primarily by family members and close friends. Their six children played important roles in the wedding, making it a family-focused celebration rather than a large celebrity event.

At the time, the marriage was widely viewed as the culmination of one of Hollywood's most talked-about relationships.

Divorce Shocked Fans

That perception changed in 2016 when Jolie filed for divorce, a development that stunned fans and entertainment observers around the world.

Reports at the time suggested disagreements related to parenting and family matters contributed to the split. What followed was a lengthy legal process involving custody arrangements and other disputes that continued for years.

Despite widespread media interest, both Jolie and Pitt largely refrained from discussing personal details publicly, choosing instead to focus on their professional work and family responsibilities.

Miraval Dispute Continues

Although their divorce has been finalised, legal proceedings connected to ownership of Château Miraval remain unresolved.

Court filings submitted in 2025 showed Jolie describing the breakdown of the marriage as emotionally painful and traumatic. According to those documents, neither she nor her children had returned to the estate after the separation.

Jolie also argued that she left Pitt in control of several jointly owned properties without seeking compensation at the time. As part of the ongoing litigation, she sought more than $33,000 in legal costs related to the dispute.

In May 2026, Pitt secured a procedural victory in court, a development viewed as strengthening his position in the continuing ownership battle over the French winery estate.

Strength Through Family

In her latest comments, Jolie emphasised the role her children played in helping her navigate those difficult years.

She said that caring for Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne gave her the motivation to keep moving forward when she was struggling emotionally. According to the actor, their presence helped her rediscover hope, stability and confidence after the separation.

Jolie has frequently spoken about encouraging her children to pursue their own interests and make independent choices. Several have accompanied her to film premieres, public appearances and humanitarian projects over the years.

Life Beyond Personal Battles

Away from her personal life, Jolie remains one of Hollywood's most recognised figures. She has earned critical acclaim for performances in films such as Girl, Interrupted, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Maleficent and Changeling.

She is also widely known for her humanitarian work and advocacy on behalf of refugees and displaced communities worldwide.

Nearly a decade after the separation, Jolie's latest remarks offer a rare glimpse into the personal challenges she faced behind the scenes and underscore the central role her children played in helping her move forward.