January 7, 2005. And then, just like that, the fairy tale was over. “We would like to announce that after seven years together we have decided to formally separate. For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration,” Pitt and Aniston said in a joint statement to People at the time. “We happily remain committed and caring friends with great love and admiration for one another. We ask in advance for your kindness and sensitivity in the coming months.”
May 2005. Pitt had already filmed Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Angelina Jolie in 2004 and soon their relationship would become a focal point in the press. He was soon photographed with Jolie and her young son, Maddox, in Kenya, sparking rumors and the beginning of the Brangelina era. The two actors also starred in a photo shoot for W titled “Domestic Bliss” where they portrayed a happy family life.
September 2005. Aniston appears on the cover of Vanity Fair and gives one of her most famous interviews. “It was extremely hurtful to Jen that he was seen with another woman so quickly after they were separated,” her friend Andrea Bendewald said in the story.
“A man divorcing would never be accused of choosing career over children,” Aniston said of the accusations that her not wanting a child caused the split. “That really pissed me off. I’ve never in my life said I didn’t want to have children. I did and I do and I will! The women that inspire me are the ones who have careers and children; why would I want to limit myself? I’ve always wanted to have children, and I would never give up that experience for a career. I want to have it all.”
Of the W shoot she said, “Is it odd timing? Yeah. But it’s not my life. He makes his choices. He can do—whatever. We’re divorced, and you can see why.” And then she uttered this famous line: “There’s a sensitivity chip that’s missing.”
October 2005. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston’s divorce is finalized
December 2008. Aniston gives another high-profile interview about Jolie and Pitt, this time to Vogue. She references an interview Jolie also gave to Vogue, where she implied she and Pitt fell in love on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. (“I think we found this strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened. I think a few months in I realized, ‘God, I can’t wait to get to work,'” Jolie said specifically.)
“There was stuff printed there that was definitely from a time when I was unaware that it was happening,” Aniston told Vogue about Jolie’s interview. “I felt those details were a little inappropriate to discuss…That stuff about how she couldn’t wait to get to work every day? That was really uncool.”
September 2014. Pitt and Jolie marry.
