It seemed that the day would never come. Then, on 30 December 2024, Brad Pitt and ex Angelina Jolie Signed their divorce after more than eight years of estrangement A bitter legal battle. "There's a great sense of relief that it's over," a source recently shared our weekly Cover story "A weight has been lifted."

Now Pitt, 61, is looking ahead. "Brad wants to get his life (back) and put it behind him," the source said. "He can start over." He is excited about his highly anticipated Race Car flick, F1June out. Sources say she hopes to eventually rebuild her relationship with him He has six children (He and Jolie, 49, are parents to Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 18, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne). And he's going full speed ahead when it comes to his romance with his girlfriend of two years, a jewelry executive. Ines de Ramon35, who, according to the sources, was the catalyst Because Pitt finally makes peace with Jolie. "Ines has helped Brad move on," says a second source, "and think about the divorce in a new light."

Perfect match

Pete and Dee Ramon looked like a great fit from the start. They were first spotted together in late 2022 and made their red carpet debut in September the wolf The premiere "brought out the best in Brad," a source told Us at the time. They reportedly vacationed together at his $40 million mansion in Carmel, California. (eg our As previously reported, De Ramon moved into Pitt's LA house in early 2024.) Keeping his schedule full with a busy career, the second source explained, "Ines (brought him) a sense of calm and peace."

Pitt leans into her as he and Jolie duke it out on the court. In addition to ongoing custody issues, Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 to sell her part of the family vineyard, Chateau Miraval. Jolie countersued for $250 million and included in the legal filing an alleged account of a 2016 incident on a private plane in which she claimed an alcoholic Pete physically and verbally abused her and the children. Pitt denied turning the altercation physical and was cleared after an investigation by the Department of Family Services and the FBI.

Pete and Dee Ramon have a lot of common ground. De Ramon was going through her own divorce when she and Pete got together — she and Vampire Diaries alum Paul Wesley split in 2022 after three years of marriage. "It's something that she and Brad bonded over," says the second source. The first source added: “Ines has been supportive of Brad from the start. She's his rock."

A breath of fresh air for their romance pit. "He had a rocky relationship with Angelina and is not with Ines," says the first source. “They are madly in love and work together. Brad is happier than ever." In July, a source told Us that they enjoy "low-key date nights" at home, often cooking and watching movies together. "Brad loves how easy-going and smart Ines is."

Positive influence

He actively encouraged Pitt to finalize the divorce with Jolie. “Innes is very Zen and doesn't like conflict or negativity. She wants Brad to make peace, forgive and move on," a source said our "From his point of view, it doesn't make sense for him to hold on to all the hostilities," May said.
Although Brad's divorce is now official, a second source explains that Pete and D'Ramon are “not putting any pressure on marriage. (Still), they're committed to each other and very serious." While the actor is happy to focus on his future with the jewelry designer, the source explained that "he doesn't need to get married again at this point."

Healthy outlet

Work has been another remedy for pits. "He's very passionate about (F1) and thinks it will be a huge success," the second source said, noting that the Oscar winner has "always been fascinated by Formula 1 and racing. He knew it would be a huge challenge, which is what got him about the project. excited." The source added: “He is very focused on Innes and work. That's what gets him through the tough times."

family ties

Pete is optimistic — but realistic — about reconnecting with his kids. Last May, Shiloh legally dropped her last name to Jolie. (Zahara and Vivienne also seem to use only Jolie.)

“Brad doesn't interact with older kids. It's a very sad situation for him,” said the second source. (In an allegedly resurrected Instagram post that Pax posted on Father's Day in 2020, he called the star "a world-class a-hole.") According to a third source, Pete maintains joint custody of Knox and Vivienne "but very limited time with them, Especially because of the filming of F1, which required travel." A second source says that Pitt and the twins "don't have a very close relationship," adding, "He's always reaching out and hoping things will eventually get better one day."

The actor is cautiously optimistic about maintaining peace with Jolie. their ongoing battle over Miraval's wages; In November, a judge denied Jolie's motion to dismiss as the case moved to trial. “Brad's divorce is final. He closed that chapter years ago and can't believe it's dragged on for so long, but he knows there's more to come with Miraval," the second source explains. "It was just a setback for him. Still, He's happy to have it behind him."

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With reporting by Andrea Simpson and Amanda Williams