As the 20th anniversary of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's breakup approaches, the actress is looking back at the dramatic period when her ex-husband was romantically linked to his Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-star, Angelina Jolie.
The breakup, which made headlines worldwide, sparked a media frenzy and ignited what became known as the "love triangle" era, a chapter Aniston hasn’t forgotten.
In an interview with Vanity Fair published on August 11, 2025, Aniston discussed the intense media scrutiny that followed her separation from Pitt. Reflecting on the tabloids' portrayal of the situation, she said, “It was such juicy reading for people. If they didn’t have their soap operas, they had their tabloids.”
She continued, "It’s a shame that it had to happen, but it happened. And boy did I take it personally.”
At the time of their split, Aniston was navigating the fallout while Pitt quickly moved on with Jolie. In fact, the same year they parted ways, Pitt and Jolie posed for a now-infamous photo shoot for W Magazine, showing the couple in a domestic scene, depicting a married life with children.
The shoot was a pivotal moment in their relationship, which eventually led to their marriage in 2014. After two years, Jolie filed for divorce, sparking a lengthy legal battle.
When speaking about her emotional state during that period, Aniston explained, “Just pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep on walking, girl.”
Aniston also recalled a 2005 interview with Vanity Fair in which she had candidly expressed her feelings about the photos of Pitt and Jolie. "The world was shocked, and I was shocked. I'd be a robot if I said I didn't feel moments of anger, of hurt, of embarrassment," Aniston said.
She also noted, "He makes his choices. He can do—whatever. We're divorced, and you can see why."
Despite the media circus, Aniston emphasized the complexity of her relationship with Pitt, stating, "I love Brad; I really love him. I will love him for the rest of my life. He's a fantastic man. I don't regret any of it, and I'm not going to beat myself up about it. We spent seven very intense years together; we taught each other a lot—about healing, and about fun. We helped each other through a lot, and I really value that. It was a beautiful, complicated relationship."
By 2008, Aniston had begun to move forward, telling Vogue, "Well, it never was that bad... I can't even remember the darkness. I mean, in the end, we really had an amicable split. It wasn't mean and hateful."
She also shared that soon after their separation, they had a "long, long conversation" and had been on good terms ever since.
Pitt, too, had spoken about his past with Aniston in 2011. In a Parade interview, he explained that he felt his marriage to Aniston was part of the reason he wasn't living the fulfilling life he desired.
He later clarified his comments, saying, "Jen is an incredibly giving, loving, and hilarious woman who remains my friend. It is an important relationship I value greatly."
In 2015, Aniston further discussed her feelings on the divorce during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning. “I don't find it painful... We've exchanged good wishes and all that sort of stuff to each other, but not a constant thing,” she remarked.
She also expressed frustration over the media's obsession with their past, saying, "If the world only could just stop with the stupid, soap opera bulls**t. There's no story."
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As Aniston's life moved forward, she married Justin Theroux in 2015, only to divorce in 2018. Reflecting on her relationships, Aniston noted in Elle that her marriages were "very successful" in her opinion.
She explained, "When they came to an end, it was a choice that was made because we chose to be happy, and sometimes happiness didn’t exist within that arrangement anymore.”
Despite the end of their marriage, Aniston and Pitt have remained cordial. In 2020, their brief reunion at the SAG Awards garnered plenty of attention, with Pitt joking that their encounter was likely to be "the second most important reunion of her year." He also shared, “I’ll run into Jen... She’s a good friend.”
By 2021, Aniston confirmed that there was no lingering tension between them. “It was absolutely fun,” she said, reflecting on their friendly interactions at the SAG Awards and the Fast Times at Ridgemont High virtual table read.
Aniston also put to rest rumors from 2022, particularly those suggesting that her divorce from Pitt was because of her decision not to have children. She asserted, “And God forbid a woman is successful and doesn't have a child,” explaining that the narrative surrounding their divorce was based on falsehoods.
Though Aniston’s personal life has evolved, her thoughts on her time with Pitt and Jolie remain candid, with the actress acknowledging that their past, no matter how challenging, was a formative part of her journey. And while the "love triangle" era may have dominated headlines for years, Aniston has clearly put that chapter behind her, with a focus on moving forward with grace and clarity.