Angelina Jolie struggles to trust after Brad Pitt divorce, according to multiple reports describing how the actress is currently steering clear of new relationships. Following the official end to her marriage with Brad Pitt in December 2024 in Los Angeles, Jolie faces significant barriers to moving forward with romance, largely because of the emotional aftermath of her high-profile split.
Jolie Avoids Romance After Traumatic Split
Since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt finalized their divorce late last year, close sources indicate that Jolie is not considering a return to dating. Even before the official separation, Pitt was reportedly seen moving on with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon, marking a sharp contrast with Jolie’s current stance. Despite her recent 50th birthday and what many would consider a chance for a fresh start, people around Jolie say she is still deeply affected by the trauma of her past relationship. The emotional scars from years of marital discord appear to have left her hesitant to trust potential partners, making her cautious about exposing herself to more pain.
One source observed that,
“I don’t know if she’ll ever fully get over the trauma of her divorce.”
—source
Jolie, who shares six children with Brad Pitt, reportedly keeps her focus strictly on her family and her professional commitments, putting romantic interests far in the background. Friends familiar with her mindset suggest that though Jolie is no longer emotionally attached to Pitt, she feels her children and her own peace of mind are more important than seeking a new relationship.
“Ange is not in the same place as Brad since the divorce, even though she is over him,”
—pal
“She’s focused on her children, finding peace, and keeping her life private.”
—pal
Fear of Getting Hurt Again Limits New Connections
Insiders add that Jolie’s fears are deeply rooted, particularly after living through what she perceived as severe difficulties during her marriage to Pitt, her former Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star. The specter of being hurt again, especially as the wounds from her divorce remain fresh, motivates her reluctance.
“There’s a reason Angelina is still single, and it’s not for a lack of men lining up to date her,”
—insider
“She keeps them at a distance because she’s terrified of getting hurt again the way she did with Brad.”
—insider
Jolie’s apprehension reportedly stems from negative experiences during the relationship—concerns that came into the public spotlight during their extended divorce process and custody battles. Allegations included claims that Pitt exhibited problematic behavior well before the notable 2016 incident on a private jet, adding layers of mistrust. On the financial front, Jolie has also accused Pitt of attempts to exhaust her resources, particularly amid disputes regarding their former jointly owned asset, Château Miraval.
Lasting Family Tensions from the Divorce
The consequences of the split did not stop with Jolie and Pitt, extending to their six children. The ex-couple’s years-long custody dispute had a notable impact on family dynamics, ultimately seeming to strain Pitt’s relationship with his children. Reports have highlighted the children’s apparent preference for staying with their mother, despite legal agreement on joint custody. In 2020, Pax, who was adopted by Jolie and Pitt, publicly criticized his father on social media, describing their relationship in exceptionally harsh terms. These events culminated in further reports from People Magazine last year, which observed that Pitt has scarcely interacted with his older children for a prolonged time, while Jolie reportedly spends the majority of her time with the children, particularly the twins Vivienne and Knox.
A Lengthy Divorce Finally Comes to an End
After nearly ten years of ongoing court hearings and legal negotiations, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie officially ended their marriage in December 2024. Jolie opted not to make any public announcement, but her attorney James Simon commented on her ongoing approach:
“has focused on finding peace and healing for their family”
—James Simon, attorney
“This is just one part of a long, ongoing process that started eight years ago,”
—James Simon, attorney
“Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”
—James Simon, attorney
Pitt appeared to be less impacted by the conclusion of the legal process, suggesting in a GQ interview that the divorce represented more of a formal step than a dramatic change in his life.
“No, I don’t think it was that major of a thing,”
—Brad Pitt, actor
“Just something coming to fruition. Legally.”
—Brad Pitt, actor
Brad Pitt Moves Forward With Ines de Ramon
In stark contrast to Jolie’s ongoing reluctance, Brad Pitt has embraced a new romantic chapter with Ines de Ramon. Sources close to the actor point out that, post-divorce, Pitt has found stability and contentment in his present circumstances, both in his personal life and relationships. The romance with de Ramon is described as “low-key,” with Pitt shifting his attention to positive prospects moving forward.
“Brad Pitt is happy that the divorce is behind him,”
—insider
“Things are low-key for the family.”
—insider
Though much focus remains on the pace at which the former couple have moved on, insiders describe Pitt and de Ramon’s relationship as healthy, suggesting that Pitt is now living “in a great place,” enjoying the future with few regrets, while Jolie remains justifiably wary of repeating old wounds.
With the public interest still high in the lives of both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, these ongoing personal circumstances only illustrate how the aftermath of a high-profile breakup continues to impact not just the former couple, but also their children and wider family relationships. As the next chapters unfold for both, questions persist about how long it may take before Jolie can fully overcome her fears and whether the family bonds—strained in the wake of such a visible divorce—can ever truly be rebuilt.
