Brad Pitt's strained relationship with his children has once again come under the spotlight after reports claimed he did not congratulate daughter Zahara Jolie on her graduation from Spelman College. The latest claims have added another layer to the long-running tension between Pitt and ex-wifeAngelina Jolie, with both sides continuing to push very different versions of what has happened behind closed doors.
The situation has become even more painful for Pitt in recent years as several of his children have chosen to distance themselves publicly from him, including dropping his surname. While sources close to Jolie argue that Pitt's fractured bond with the children is the result of his own actions, those defending the actor insist he has spent years trying to repair the relationship. Behind the headlines, the divide has reportedly stretched far beyond just Pitt himself, with members of his extended family also said to have lost contact with the children over the years.
Shortly after Zahara celebrated her graduation milestone, it wasreportedthat Pitt had not called or reached out to congratulate her. According to a source close to Jolie, there was nothing stopping the actor from being there for his daughter.
'Nothing prevented him from showing up for her. Or ever visiting her. The day was about all she accomplished. Not whether he was willing to attend,' the source said.
The criticism quickly sparked another wave of public scrutiny surrounding Pitt's relationship with his children. However, sources speaking to the Daily Mail defended the actor and argued that the situation is far more complicated than it appears from the outside.
'When you've made clear that you're pushing him away from the children, a reasonable person cannot then complain that he's not close to the children,' one source said.
Multiple insiders claimed Pitt has continued trying to reconnect with his six children, Zahara, Maddox, Pax, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne, despite years of tension. According to one source, not only Pitt but also members of his wider family attempted to maintain communication with the children over the years.
'His family did try to do things, and there were, at some points, communication,' the source explained, before admitting that 'it's been a while' since any real contact took place.
The insider also claimed that Pitt's children once shared a strong relationship with their cousins, but those ties have now also faded.
'Growing up, they did have a good relationship, so that's been cut off also. Nothing's really changed,' the source added.
Source: International Business Times UK
