Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has revealed he is drinking alcohol again after seven years of complete sobriety, explaining that he now consumes wine in moderation.
The 62-year-old Oscar winner made the revelation in an extensive interview with Esquire magazine, clarifying that while he has resumed drinking, he remains far more careful with his consumption than in the past.
Pitt told the magazine that he was sober for seven years before he began drinking again, but said he now does so in a much more restrained manner. He admitted that on two occasions he took more courage than he should have and told himself that it was not good for him, emphasizing that he does not drink in large quantities.
The actor explained that he can now enjoy a few glasses of wine without allowing himself to exceed that limit. He added that he must approach drinking professionally, noting that excessive alcohol can ruin a beautiful morning, which no longer appeals to him because mornings are valuable and worth living.
Sobriety journey and winery ownership
Pitt initially gave up alcohol following his high-profile split from actress Angelina Jolie. The actor, who also owns a winery, previously sought support for his drinking through Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
His decision to start drinking again comes as he continues to navigate severe ongoing tensions within his family. Pitt has been locked in a bitter, years-long legal dispute with Jolie, while his relationship with several of their children remains fractured.
Last month, the former couple's 18-year-old daughter Vivienne filed a petition in Los Angeles County Superior Court to remove the surname Pitt from her legal name. She followed the lead of three older siblings who have also taken steps to distance themselves from their father's name.
Their daughter Zahara and son Maddox have both publicly expressed their intention to drop the actor's surname. Last year, their eldest biological daughter legally changed her name to Shiloh Jolie. Pax and Vivienne's twin brother, Knox, are currently the only children who have not officially moved to drop Pitt from their names.
Allegations over 2016 plane flight
Pitt has long experienced a troubled relationship with alcohol, which has been linked to several difficulties in his personal life. His marriage to Jolie collapsed following a chaotic incident aboard a private plane in 2016, during which he was accused of physical violence against his wife and two of their children.
In a 2022 court document, Jolie alleged that Pitt had been drinking during the flight and poured alcohol over her and the children. According to the court filing, Pitt poured beer on Jolie and poured both beer and red wine on the children.
Pitt denied the allegations and was never charged with any crime following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A source close to the actor told CNN at the time that all parties had possessed that information for nearly six years and used it in previous legal proceedings, adding that re-emerging claims served only as a media tactic to inflict pain.
Support groups and past drinking habits
One year after separating from Jolie, Pitt gave up drinking entirely after previously describing himself as a professional drinker. Speaking to GQ magazine in 2017, he stated that he loved wine very much but had pushed his drinking to the point of exhaustion, adding that he could once drink a Russian under the table with his own vodka.
To address his addiction, Pitt spent a year and a half attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, where he opened up to other men about his struggles. He told The New York Times that listening to men speak openly and honestly created a safe, non-judgmental environment that helped him be less critical of himself.
