Brad Pitt has reacted to the divorce news during an interview with People magazine.
The actor has said he is “very saddened” that Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce and has asked for privacy on their children’s behalf.
“I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids,” Brad Pitt told People magazine.
“I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.”
Angelina Jolie, 41, filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, 52, citing irreconcilable differences on September 19.
The actress’ lawyer, Robert Offer, said the decision had been made “for the health of the family”.
It is understood Angelina Jolie is seeking physical custody of the couple’s six children and asking the judge to give Brad Pitt visitation rights.
Speculation is mounting over the causes behind their divorce, with one newspaper claiming Angelina Jolie was “upset with Pitt’s parenting skills”.
Angelina Jolie’s long-time manager Geyser Kosinski told E! Online: “Angelina will always do what’s in the best interest of taking care of her family.”
Madame Tussauds in London marked the split by announcing on Twitter that its mannequins of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have been separated. Robert Pattinson appears to have been placed between them.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie – nicknamed “Brangelina” by fans – married in 2014, 10 years after meeting on the set of 2005 movie Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
It was Pitt’s second marriage, having previously wed Jennifer Aniston, and Angelina Jolie’s third after Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.
Jon Voight, Angelina Jolie’s actor father, also expressed sadness, saying whatever caused the split “must have been pretty severe”.
Billy Bob Thornton, however, made no comment at a Hollywood event honoring Kathy Bates on September 20.
The actor, who was married to Angelina Jolie from 2000 to 2003, left quickly afterwards, avoiding questions from waiting reporters.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie most recently worked together on 2015 movie By the Sea, a relationship drama about a couple trying to repair their marriage.
