Details About Brad Pitt's Relationship With His Daughter Shiloh
Shutterbugs most often capture Shiloh Jolie-Pitt flanking her mother, Angelina Jolie, on red carpets and on shopping sprees. While the 16-year-old's relationship with Brad Pitt is less photographed, the daddy-daughter pair is exceedingly close. Shiloh and Pitt make ample time for each other without letting family feuds sever their connection, from marking special holidays together to sharing heart-to-heart conversations and indulging in pizza parties. The Brangelina bunch, comprising six children, has lived in the shadow of an acrimonious divorce and custody battle between their parents since 2016. As Pitt's dynamic with some of his family members soured, it was suggested that "Shiloh might just be the bridge he needs to better mend his relationship" (via In Touch Weekly).
Born to Pitt and Jolie in 2006, Shiloh has been in the spotlight since day one. Though fiercely protected by her parents from unwanted public attention, Shiloh's passion for the arts has been apparent — she became an online sensation after videos of her dancing went viral on TikTok — and makes her dad misty-eyed (per ET Online). Kindred spirits with more than just similar faces, Pitt and his firstborn share a ton of common interests, including a love for performance that reportedly keeps their bond vibrant. In fact, Pitt's "very beautiful" daughter might be the force that keeps his acting legacy alive, given that she has already starred with him in an Oscar-winning film. For more insight into the special father-daughter relationship Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and Brad Pitt share, scroll on!
Brad Pitt on the life-changing experience of fatherhood
For Brad Pitt, superstardom preceded fatherhood by many years. He was already multiple Academy, Golden Globe, and Emmy nominations old by 2006, when he became a first-time father by adopting his then-partner Angelina Jolie's children. But raising his children was an experience that superseded all else for him. Acknowledging that "having kids is really the most extraordinary thing I've ever taken on," Pitt joked that successfully getting a burp out of his firstborn Shiloh Jolie-Pitt gave him a huge sense of accomplishment (via Today).
By 2008, Pitt was father to six children and missed no opportunity to gush about their impact on him and his craft. Speaking about the shared theme of fatherhood between his life and film "Ad Astra," Pitt told CNN that his own father provided for him despite impoverishment: "And it makes me think, as a dad, what do I have to offer that's better than I had, to my kids?"
Pitt's bitter split from Jolie in 2016 left a strained relationship with his oldest son in its wake, but, per Us Weekly, the actor considers his time with his children truly indispensable. "Brad is very big on keeping his time with the kids extremely private," a source said. Post-divorce, Pitt reportedly hasn't compromised on giving his children exclusive time, sharing an especially unique bond with Shiloh. The two are supposedly supportive of each other, and Shiloh "feels comfortable talking to her dad about anything" (via Life & Style).
Pitt was in the delivery room when Shiloh was born
The birth of megastars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's first child: It was a thing of astronomical importance. The power couple was cognizant of the fact, and so, to welcome their firstborn peacefully away from the blazing flashlights of Hollywood shutterbugs, they flew to Namibia in 2006. The Namibian government reportedly banned foreign journalists from entering the country at the A-list pair's urging (via New Zealand Herald).
From start to finish, Jolie and Pitt were by each other's side, with the "Fight Club" actor even witnessing the birth of his daughter in the delivery room. "Brad was with Angelina in the operating room the entire time and cut the umbilical cord of his daughter," People quoted Dr. Jason Rothbart, the operating doctor, as saying. The hospital in Swakopmund had the feel of a cottage, Jolie later recalled, saying: "It was lovely, very personal, all three in this sweet room" (via Vanity Fair).
The name Shiloh was picked for its special significance to Jolie, who admittedly sneaked under its cover to meet Pitt in hotel rooms. Parents to two adopted children with Jolie by 2006, Pitt said he was proud her daughter was born in Namibia: "We were afforded a peace here that we could not have at home" (via ABC News). All the secrecy surrounding Shiloh's birth wasn't for nothing; her first baby photos were purchased by People magazine, with the $4 million acquired reportedly being donated to charity.
Shiloh co-starred with her dad in an Oscar-winning film
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt was acting before she could even form complete sentences. Her toddler self accomplished a feat that her own megastar parents took years of persistent hard work to reach: starring in an Oscar-winning film. Providently, the babies cast in Brad Pitt's 2008 film "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" didn't respond well to the set environment, per the New Zealand Herald. Fortunately, Shiloh was around — less than a year old. "Then quick-thinking Brad realised his daughter's happy and mellow disposition made her a quick fix for the role," said a source. And just like that, little Shiloh giggled her way through her character of Julia Ormond's younger self, with ample screen time in the film as baby Caroline — and some especially touching scenes with her reel and real dad Pitt.
Interestingly, Shiloh's younger sister Vivienne Jolie-Pitt would follow in her footsteps years later. 5-year-old Vivienne was chosen to star in the 2014 film "Maleficent," which had Angelina Jolie in terrifying makeup that only her own little daughter was able to brave (via Entertainment Weekly). But, despite their fleeting Hollywood stints, neither Pitt nor Jolie are pushy about their children's acting careers. Pitt would "love when they find their own way, find things they are interested in and flourish," as told to ET Online. Shiloh, 16, seems inclined toward the performing arts but has picked a vocation different from her parents. Scroll to find out what!
There's a lot of Pitt in Shiloh, per Angelina Jolie
Social media can't stop fawning over Shiloh Jolie-Pitt's uncanny resemblance to her mother, Angelina Jolie, but the 16-year-old entered 2023 looking more like her dad than ever before. Sporting a buzzcut that harked back to Brad Pitt from the golden noughties, memorably seen in "Ocean's Twelve" and "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," Shiloh was out shopping with her sister Zahara Jolie-Pitt when she was snapped in her new avatar (via The Sun).
Shiloh's forever-changing hairstyles have grabbed headlines since birth when her inheritance of her dad's famous baby blues and blonde hair also became immediately apparent. "She looks like Brad," Jolie said, noting that her firstborn's features made her the outcast among her multicultural siblings (per Daily Mail). Though Jolie passed on her trademark pout to her daughter, Shiloh's childhood was a period of likeness to her dad's growing-up years, when he bore a blonde mop-top and a super-toothy grin (via Radar).
Pitt played more than an obvious role in the birth of Shiloh. "Before I met Brad, I always said I was happy never to have a child biologically," Jolie told Reader's Digest. But seeing Pitt's love for her adopted children, Jolie was ready for pregnancy. According to Jolie, Shiloh is the funny one in the Jolie-Pitt brood (via Vanity Fair). Against the context of her father's impeccable comic timing, there are no guesses where she gets this trait from!
From shopping to dinner dates, daddy-daughter time is important for them
Even with their presumably buzzing lives, Brad Pitt and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt manage to prioritize their time together — a time-honored tradition that has been around since the latter's childhood. Back when she fit in the arms of Angelina Jolie, Shiloh was clearing her busy baby schedule to visit her actor dad on film sets (via Just Jared). The Jolie-Pitt pack is sizeable, but the A-listers always made sure to get in significant family time, earmarking individual schedules with each of their children. "When everybody is at school, we give Shiloh time," Jolie said when her firstborn was only about a year old (via Reader's Digest).
Daddy-daughter playdates and shopping adventures were in no short supply for Shiloh, whose passport was well-worn before she even turned two, family vacations filling her calendar (per OK! Magazine). Growing up in the shadow of her parents' astronomical fame, Shiloh has been a regular on red carpets for years; she even once substituted for her mother, accompanying her father and siblings to the premiere of "Unbroken" in 2014 when Jolie was down with chickenpox (per Page Six).
The couple's chaotic separation in 2016 threatened to jeopardize the "Allied" actor's time with his children until a court awarded them joint custody in 2021. According to Us Weekly, moments spent with his brood are of great importance to Pitt, who enjoys hosting them at his Los Angeles home, even marking holidays and special occasions with them.
This is the quality Pitt likes most about Shiloh
Brad Pitt is in awe of his daughter Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. The 16-year-old, who remained close to her dad through his messy divorce saga with Angelina Jolie, makes him proud by just being who she is every day. "He loves that she always stays true to herself and is so good to her brothers and sisters," a source told ET Online around when Shiloh turned 14 in 2020. And what better birthday present than a father's undying support? Well ... probably a vintage polaroid camera that Pitt gifted his daughter at the pizza party he hosted for her that year (via The Sun). While Pitt has reportedly shared a difficult relationship with his older sons following an alleged family altercation in 2016, things are apparently good with Shiloh, his first biological child.
In fact, Pitt has been Shiloh's biggest cheerleader since day one! Appearing on Oprah Winfrey's show, Pitt spoke about his children's unique traits, revealing that two-year-old Shiloh preferred being called by the names Peter or John (via Oprah.com). "It's a 'Peter Pan' thing. So we've got to call her John," he gushed. Even as she grew up wanting to "dress like a boy" and apparently also be one (via Glamour), Pitt and Jolie let their tuxedo-trotting daughter call the shots and own her identity. For Pitt, who has expressed wholehearted support for his children's choices, the most important thing is for them "to be who they really are," per Parade.
Shiloh was one of the ring bearers at her dad's wedding
A decade and six children later, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie tied the knot in 2014. Hollywood's most powerful of power couples had materialized in 2004, per Glamour, and in the years that followed, impressed with their unorthodox family dynamic comprising a mix of adopted and biological children. In all the years of raising their brood together, a single question tailed them: Are they ever going to get married? It finally stopped chasing when Pitt and Jolie said their "I do"s at a tightly private ceremony in France. The couple's six children were all assigned important roles at the celebration, with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and her younger brother Knox Jolie-Pitt reportedly serving as ring bearers (via The Washington Post).
The Brangelina bunch even collaborated on their mother's wedding gown, into which designer Luigi Massi sewed their drawings (per People). "It was such a special day to share with our children and a very happy time for our family," Jolie said. Ever the show-stealer, Shiloh attended the wedding in a dapper ensemble that included dress shorts and a top hat, all the while staying close to her father, pictures showed. It was no surprise that Shiloh and her siblings took an active part in their parents' grand nuptials, given how close-knit the family is — from making group appearances on red carpets as a team to being spotted during regular outings.
Shiloh brings tears to her dad's eyes
So you think Shiloh Jolie-Pitt can dance? Well, she can — and how! The strong genes of her superstar parents, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, evidently transmitted a flair for the dramatic to the 16-year-old. Instead of joining the family acting business, she seems to channel all that pizzazz into dance. Her talents first shone through on TikTok, where a clip of her grooving to Doja Cat's "Vegas" went viral in 2022 (via Huff Post).
One among a troupe trained by choreographer Hamilton Evans, Shiloh instantly impressed, which led fans to uncover multiple other videos of the young sensation shaking a leg at Los Angeles' famous Millennium Dance Complex. "It brings a tear to the eye," Pitt said when asked about his daughter's knack for dance (via ET Online). Although he claimed it's a skill, she didn't pick up from him: "I'm Mr. Two-Left-Feet here."
Shiloh's longtime love for dance is supported by her proud parents, who "have no issue if she wants to turn pro, but they're not pushing it on her by any means," per Us Weekly. Her viral dance moves made it to the spotlight against the backdrop of their protracted divorce conflict. After it mushroomed on social media, Shiloh's bit from the "Vegas" video was blurred out, with Evans citing her privacy. "Her focus is to train hard and improve while in a safe & controlled environment," the choreographer stated (via YouTube).
The father-daughter duo has their own jokes
When you grow up around five siblings, you're bound to pick up on a few gags. Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, with her three brothers and two sisters, sure did make it as a proficient prankster who isn't above scoring some chuckles at the expense of her dad, even if it means disturbing his peace. During the shoot of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's 2015 family film "By the Sea," Shiloh (egged on by her mother) startled Pitt out of his sleep by firing a well-timed shot from her perfectly aimed slingshot (via ET Online). We daresay Pitt could protest since he's quite the practical joker himself — something his fellow trickster and prank nemesis George Clooney can vouch for, citing the time that Pitt convinced a whole Italian town that Clooney was a spoilt diva (via YouTube).
In particular, Jolie has attested to Shiloh's goofy disposition, remarking that it's an early sign of a performer (via Vanity Fair). With all the mischief the playful Brangelina bunch gets up to, it isn't easy to imagine that the house is ever without laughter. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Pitt gushed that his children were the funniest people ever and worked shifts to con him routinely and Jolie into having slumber parties: "We'll get them to bed, read the stories, and then one will show up about a half hour later and can't sleep and wants to read books."
Pitt and Shiloh have a lot of shared interests
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt and Brad Pitt share more than just their glamorous looks. The father-daughter duo is extremely alike in their traits, mannerisms, and vocational interests. "Playing music together, watching movies and art, and spend a lot of their time together in his art studio being creative," a source reportedly revealed to Life & Style, adding that Pitt and his 16-year-old are "cut from the same cloth." While the jury is still out on whether any of his six children will shoulder his legacy of acting — "None of my kids want to be actors," Angelina Jolie revealed — an artistic streak runs through Shiloh.
Her love for dance has increasingly been spotlighted, as has her leaning toward photography. The latter is seemingly also one of Pitt's hidden talents, most apparent in his famous 2008 photoshoot of Jolie for W Magazine. "He's someone who will really study the camera," Jolie said of her husband at the time. The apple didn't fall too far from the tree since Shiloh, too, has been spotted taking her time examining cameras before settling on the right one (per Us Weekly).
Sweetly enough, "Shiloh seems to have somehow picked up Brad's midwestern demeanor," according to In Touch Weekly, which quoted a source saying that Pitt and his daughter are similarly compassionate and large-hearted. In fact, it has been suggested that Shiloh could end up being the strongest link in healing Brangelina's relationship!
Legally, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt spends equal time with her parents
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt will soon be able to choose where she wants to live, but as of this writing, she's still a minor and therefore has to abide by the custody arrangement decided by the courts. Per the agreement, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie share 50/50 custody of their children. For years, the former couple went through court proceedings before coming to a custody agreement, and in May 2021, a judge ruled that Jolie and Pitt would continue caring for their children equally.
The ruling was not a favorable outcome for Angelina, and she wrote a letter to the court expressing her dismay with the decision. "This is personal to her, and for good reason. Look at what she faced from a biased judge who was removed by the appellate court for his corrupt and secretive financial dealings with Brad Pitt's team that violated judicial ethics in her family's case, and who refused to review evidence of domestic abuse," a source said to the New York Post of Angelina's thoughts on the matter. The same judge who presided over Pitt and Jolie's custody hearing also performed their marriage ceremony in 2014.
Her mother says she needed to heal
We can't know for certain what exactly went down between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt that led Jolie to file for divorce, but in 2022, we did gain more insight into her perspective. Per The New York Times, Jolie told her side to the court via written documents. "Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face," the document said. "He poured beer on Jolie; at another, he poured beer and red wine on the children." Outside of the courts, the actress has been much coyer regarding the details of her divorce, but she has noted that her children needed time to process what had happened. "We're all just healing from the events that led to the filing ... They're not healing from divorce. They're healing from some ... from life, from things in life," she told Vanity Fair in 2017.
Nearly a year after submitting the aforementioned documents to the courts, Jolie completed an interview with Vogue in which she mentioned her family's progress. "We had a lot of healing to do. We're still finding our footing," she explained. The mom of six hasn't commented on Shiloh Jolie-Pitt specifically, but her statements hinted that all her children are still working through past experiences.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
She reportedly forgives Brad Pitt for his indiscretions
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were together for years, and their marriage ended in 2016 after Brad allegedly abused his ex-wife and children while he suffered from alcoholism. "I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges," the actor said of his relationship with alcohol in an interview with The New York Times. Pitt added that he had attended Alcoholics Anonymous to support his recovery, touting its positive impact on his life. "It was actually really freeing just to expose the ugly sides of yourself. There's great value in that," he shared. The star has remained sober since he initially quit drinking, and told GQ in 2022 that he's also stopped smoking cigarettes.
Pitt's continued efforts toward sobriety have reportedly curried favor with his daughter Shiloh Jolie-Pitt. As a source told In Touch Weekly, Jolie-Pitt forgives her father "for not being there and for the trouble he's caused." The source added, "She knows Brad's sober now and doing his best."
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt hasn't let her parents' relationship affect her dating life
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt has been in the spotlight since before she was born. The famous daughter has been the object of interest for many for nearly two decades, and now, as a teenager, the public is interested in who she is as a person and how similar her life is to that of a kid with non-famous parents. "Shiloh is very outgoing," a source told Life & Style in early 2023. "She's definitely not a little kid anymore. It's like she grew up overnight."
As she's gotten older, Jolie-Pitt has started dating, but she is reportedly taking a measured approach due to her parents' complicated history. "She's also dating, but after her seeing her parents' bitter divorce splattered all over the news, [she] prefers to keep her personal life low-key," a source told Life & Style. Jolie-Pitt reportedly can't just date anyone, though — sources have said that her mother, Angelina Jolie, has to approve of the people her daughter chooses to spend time with.
Shiloh Jolie-Pitt will stay in the United States for a while longer
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have been through a lot with their family, but it seems that they're both focused on the present and the future rather than the past. "I got friends, I got lovely kids, I like my coffee, I like my dogs. I've got no complaints," Brad said in an interview with PeopleTV. And, according to sources, the actor is present in his children's lives. "Despite the ongoing custody battle between Brad and Angelina, he does spend time with the kids, but in a private setting," a source told Life & Style, adding that Pitt is especially close with Shiloh Jolie-Pitt since they have similar interests.
Between the children spending time with their father and a legal obligation to stay close by, Angelina Jolie and her children are staying put in California. However, as the actress told Harper's Bazaar, she'd prefer to go elsewhere. "I would love to live abroad and will do so as soon as my children are 18. Right now I'm having to base where their father chooses to live," she said. It seems Shiloh, who's not yet a legal adult, will stay in the United States for the time being, close to both of her parents.