Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: Their love story in pictures



brad
September 20, 2016
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt sitting together at an event, smiling and dressed formally.© Photo: Getty Images

When two of the biggest stars in the world crossed paths in 2004, neither was looking for love.

Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston, while Angelina Jolie explained: "We were both living very full lives.... I think we were the last two people who were looking for a relationship. I certainly wasn't."

Angelina Jolie, wearing sunglasses and a black tank top, rides a carousel with a smiling child.© Photo: Rex

The sultry leading lady was "quite content to be a single mum" to her adopted son Maddox.

Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston smiling at each other at an event.© Photo: Getty Images

The heartthrob was married to Hollywood golden girl Jennifer Aniston.

To Angelina, her work colleague appeared to be "with his best friend, someone he loves and respects".

Brad Pitt and another person in tactical gear holding guns in a warehouse setting.© Photo: Rex

Despite this, the pair became close while filming, bonding over the daredevil stunts in the action thriller Mr & Mrs Smith.

"I think a few months in I realised, 'God, I can't wait to get to work'," recalled the brunette beauty.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in formal attire, dancing closely at an event.© Photo: Rex

It took until the end of the shoot for the duo to "realise (the chemistry) might mean something more than we'd earlier allowed ourselves to believe," said Angelina.

"We both knew that the reality of that was a big thing, something that was going to take a lot of serious consideration."

The two remained "very, very good friends", Angelina says. Brad announced he was separating from Jennifer in January 2005.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with a child exiting a building, holding hands.© Photo: Getty Images

It was her son Maddox who encouraged them to get together calling Brad 'Dad' out of the blue.

Angelina described the moment as "amazing". "We were playing with cars on the floor of a hotel room, and we both heard it and didn't say anything and just looked at each other.

"So that was probably the most defining moment, when he decided that we would all be a family."

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie holding hands, smiling, and posing for a photo.© Photo: Getty Images

Meanwhile, the couple tried to keep the romance under wraps.

But at the June 2005 premiere of the film which brought them together, the intense attraction between the pair was undeniable.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt standing close, smiling, at an event.© Photo: Getty Images

The couple finally went public with their relationship in January 2006 – with the announcement they were expecting a baby.

Brad Pitt wearing sunglasses and a beanie holds a child in an airport.© Photo: Getty Images

Angelina had adopted a daughter from Ethiopia, Zahara, the year before.

Brad adopted the little girl along with Maddox, and the couple legally changed the children's last names to Jolie-Pitt.

Angelina Jolie wearing sunglasses and a white tank top, carrying a child in a white shirt.© Photo: Getty Images

Brad and Angelina's daughter Shiloh Nouvel was born in May 2006.

Brad Pitt holding a child, standing with two other men in an outdoor setting.© Photo: Getty Images

Then the photogenic pair added to the family the following year with the arrival of Pax Thien, adopted from Vietnam.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie standing on a red carpet, surrounded by photographers.© Photo: Getty Images

They didn't stop at four.

In 2008, the couple announced they were expecting twins.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walking with their children, surrounded by onlookers.

With the arrival of Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline in 2008, the Jolie-Pitts were a happy family of eight.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walk through an airport with their children, holding hands.

"I'm very, very grateful to have such a loving family, and I wouldn't have that without him," says Angelina.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie walking with their children in an airport, holding hands.

Brad feels the same way: "One of the greatest, smartest things I ever did was give my kids Angie as their mum. She is such a great mom. Oh, man, I'm so happy to have her."

Angelina Jolie sitting on a chair, wearing black clothing and boots, with one leg crossed over the other.© Photo: Getty Images

But Angelina's life wasn't always so wholesome. In a rare acknowledgement of her wild past, the actress has opened up about her "dark and dangerous" youth.

Angelina Jolie and Jonny Lee Miller standing together, both smiling, dressed in formal attire.© Photo: Getty Images

Her first union was to Trainspotting actor Jonny Lee Miller, and her bridal look consisted of skin-tight rubber trousers and a white silk blouse with the groom's name daubed across it.

Angelina Jolie hugging Billy Bob Thornton, both smiling, at an event.© Photo: Getty Images

Angelina then found romance with her second husband Billy Bob Thornton.

The couple enjoyed an intense and alternative relationship.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie hugging on a red carpet, surrounded by photographers.© Photo: Getty Images

Nowadays, though, the über-mum is transformed, saying her dark side still exists and is reserved for one special person. "It belongs to Brad or our adventures," she said.

Woman in black tank top and jeans exiting a white Cirrus N805MX airplane.© Photo: Rex

The pair still have a good dose of excitement in their lives.

For her 35th birthday he gave her a flame red MV Augusta motorbike, and showed her how to ride it.

"She's badass," said Brad, revealing that she's been giving him flying lessons.

Angelina Jolie smiles at a man in a hat in a cozy restaurant setting.© Photo: Rex

Despite the complications of eluding the paparazzi and organising their children, the pair regularly find time for date night.

Brad Pitt, wearing a hat and sunglasses, walks with children in an urban setting.© Photo: Getty Images

When Angelina's working, Brad, who describes himself as 'Mr Mum', takes over.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie standing close, smiling, in front of green foliage.© Photo: Getty Images

The couple, who got engaged in April 2012, were hit by something even more challenging than raising a large family.

The actress had a preventive double mastectomy because of the genetic risk of cancer in her family.

Her grandmother, mother and aunt all suffered forms of breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie kissing at an event, both dressed in black.

Brad was Angelina's rock throughout the treatment and praised her courage.

"She has always been the brave, bold individual that I fell for," said the actor, before adding: "She's still as sexy as ever."

On 23 August, the couple sealed their love with a touching ceremony at their home in France.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt walking hand-in-hand in a hallway, both dressed formally.© Photo: Getty Images

Sadly in September 2016, Angelina's lawyer confirmed that the actress had filed for divorce, adding that the "decision was made for the health of the family".

"She will not be commenting, and asks that the family be given its privacy at this time," the lawyer added.

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