Brad Pitt is grieving the loss of his mother, Jane Etta Pitt, who passed away at the age of 84. The news was shared by his niece Sydney Pitt, daughter of Brad’s brother Doug Pitt, who honored her grandmother with an emotional tribute on social media.
Remembering Jane Etta Pitt’s Legacy Through Family Memories
Jane Etta Pitt held a special place in her family’s hearts, known for her kindness and generosity. Sydney Pitt, in her tribute posted on Instagram on August 6, described her grandmother as a woman with a “biggest heart” who cared for everyone unconditionally. Sydney highlighted the lessons Jane taught her, including how to paint, be strong, lead with kindness, maintain faith in Jesus, and embrace joy in simple moments.
Recalling the joyful experiences shared, Sydney painted a vivid picture of the “special day” Jane dedicated annually to her grandchildren before school started. This day involved fun activities like enjoying banana splits for breakfast, playing games, crafting, visiting Silver Dollar City amusement park rides, dining at Olive Garden, playing mini golf, and ending the night watching their favorite show, Paulie. Sydney affectionately noted her grandmother’s playful spirit and the close bond she shared with her grandfather, which made these days unforgettable for the grandchildren.
Jane’s family includes her husband William Alvin Pitt, her children Doug and Julie Pitt Neal, and 14 grandchildren, among them Brad Pitt’s own children with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Sydney emphasized Jane’s boundless love and presence in the lives of all who knew her, stating that her grandmother’s influence lives on in every act of kindness, every brushstroke, and even in the small symbols of nature like hummingbirds.
Brad Pitt’s Children and Their Unique Family Stories
Maddox
Maddox, Brad Pitt‘s eldest son with Angelina Jolie, holds a special connection to Cambodia, where he was born. During her 2001 filming of Tomb Raider, Angelina Jolie visited an orphanage in Battambang, Cambodia, searching for a child to adopt. She shared with Vanity Fair that she initially felt no connection to the children until seeing Maddox, whom she found lying in a box suspended from the ceiling. Instantly moved, she said, “I cried and cried.”
Angelina, then a single mother, adopted Maddox, and later Brad Pitt began adoption proceedings to become his legal father. Maddox’s involvement extended to working as an executive producer on Angelina’s 2017 film First They Killed My Father, based on Loung Ung’s memoir about the Cambodian genocide. Maddox commented on working with his mother, described as,
“fun, funny, and easy to work with,”
calling her “a wonder.”
Maddox pursued biochemistry studies at Yonsei University in South Korea, a decision Angelina expressed great happiness about. In April 2023, he attended a state dinner at the White House hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, where they welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Pax
Pax was born on November 29, 2003, and spent the early years of his life in an orphanage near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Angelina Jolie described Pax’s childhood conditions, saying,
“He spent three-and-a-half years of his life in one place, in one room, in this one little iron bed with 20 other kids, and having no choice for himself to do things, having no freedom.”
Adjusting to his new life, Pax moved in with his siblings Maddox, Zahara, and Shiloh, and his parents Angelina and Brad. Angelina described his transition:
“Suddenly, here he is in a very free situation with new brothers and sisters and a mom and dad.”
She praised him as “a tough, remarkable little person” who embraced his newfound freedom with wild energy and love.
Demonstrating interest in the arts and family projects, Pax lent his voice to the character Yoo in Angelina’s animated movie Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016) and worked as a set photographer on First They Killed My Father. He also accompanied Angelina to the 2018 Golden Globes and assisted in her fashion collective, Atelier Jolie, as well as participating in the assistant director department for her upcoming film Without Blood in Italy. Angelina reflected on their teamwork, saying,
“When a film crew is at its best, it feels like a big family, so it felt natural.”
Zahara
Zahara, born January 8, 2005, was adopted from an orphanage in Hawassa, Ethiopia. Angelina first visited the orphanage with Maddox in tow, describing Maddox’s affection toward Zahara:
“When Z came home she was older, she was seven months old, so for Mad it’s like having this tiny pet he can just hold and look at.”
Following in her mother’s footsteps, Zahara embraced various facets of Angelina’s work. She has participated in numerous red carpet events, launched her own charitable jewelry line called the Zahara Collection in collaboration with jeweler Robert Procop in 2019, and engaged in humanitarian efforts through visits to Syrian refugee camps alongside Angelina’s work with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
In August 2022, Angelina expressed emotion when dropping Zahara off at Spelman College in Atlanta, an HBCU, remarking,
“I haven’t started crying yet so…hopefully I can hold it together.”
Zahara joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority the following year and has stood beside her mother during advocacy events in Washington, D.C., including speeches supporting the Violence Against Women Act and the Justice for All Reauthorization Act.
Shiloh
Born May 27, 2006, in Swakopmund, Namibia, Shiloh is Brad and Angelina’s first biological child. Angelina described her as “full of light and love,” and “very, very funny,” joking that Shiloh might be “a little bit of trouble.” Shiloh made her red carpet debut in 2014 and appeared at various events connected with her mother’s film projects and humanitarian efforts.
Angelina has encouraged her children to embrace fashion freely, recalling to E! how she tells them,
“I’m like, ‘Oh my god, wear it and wear it better than me!’”
Shiloh has also pursued interests in performing arts, attending L.A.’s Millennium Dance Complex.
In 2024, on her 18th birthday, Shiloh filed a petition in a Los Angeles court to legally remove the hyphenated “Pitt” from her surname, choosing to be known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. A source close to the situation revealed that she hired her own lawyer and covered the legal expenses personally.
Knox
Knox and his twin sister Vivienne were born on July 12, 2008, in Nice, France. Following Angelina’s pregnancy announcement at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards, the family settled at Château Miraval. Angelina described their family life as “chaos,” but joyful. She shared that Zahara and Shiloh enjoyed helping dress and care for the twins.
Knox, named after Brad’s grandfather Hal Knox Hillhouse, is noted by Angelina to resemble Brad both emotionally and physically. The twins had minor voice roles in Kung Fu Panda 3, with Angelina noting,
“They don’t really want to be actors, but I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. They came in, and they had a lot of fun with it.”
Vivienne
Vivienne, Knox’s fraternal twin sister, shares traits with Angelina’s late mother, Marcheline Bertrand. Angelina described Vivienne as caring more about supporting others than being the center of attention, adding that she is
“very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.”
Vivienne made headlines early on when she played the younger version of Elle Fanning’s Aurora in Maleficent (2014), impressing Angelina with her talent and focus. However, she has since gravitated toward behind-the-scenes roles, actively supporting her mother’s work in theatre productions.
Angelina shared how Vivienne encouraged her to adapt Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film The Outsiders for Broadway. Vivienne worked as a volunteer assistant during the production, taking on responsibilities seriously. Angelina said,
“She’ll correct me, ‘Didn’t you read the memo? We have to do this, we have to go through this.’ She’s been a really tough assistant. She takes it very, very seriously.”
Enduring Family Bonds Amid Loss
The passing of Jane Etta Pitt marks a profound moment for Brad Pitt and his extended family, who have come together to honor her lasting influence. Her nurturing character and creative spirit are cherished across generations, reflected in the vivid memories shared by her grandchildren and family members. As Brad Pitt and his relatives navigate this loss, Jane’s example of love, kindness, and resilience continues to inspire them in both personal life and public endeavors.
With Jane’s legacy alive in the hearts of her children and grandchildren—including those in the public eye such as Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s children—the family’s story remains a testament to strong familial ties and enduring affection that will shape their futures.
