The Pitt family is mourning the loss of Jane Etta Pitt, the beloved mother of Hollywood icon Brad Pitt, who passed away at 84 on August 6, 2025. Her granddaughter Sydney Pitt shared the news in a touching Instagram tribute, painting a picture of a woman whose warmth, faith, and boundless love shaped her personal legacy. Jane wasn’t just a supporting character in Brad’s fame—she was the backbone of a close-knit clan, a devoted wife, and a grandmother who turned ordinary days into adventures. Let’s dive into the life of Jane Etta Pitt, from her enduring marriage to her role as the heart of a sprawling household.
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A Love Story That Built a Family
Jane Etta Hillhouse met William Alvin Pitt at Oklahoma Baptist University in the early 1960s, and their romance quickly became the foundation of the Pitt family. Married in 1962, the couple settled in Springfield, Missouri, where William ran a trucking company and Jane worked as a school counselor. Their union was steeped in Southern Baptist traditions, and they raised their three children—Brad, Doug, and Julie Neal—with a mix of discipline and devotion. Brad often credited his parents for his work ethic, recalling how his father’s resilience inspired him to chase his dreams, even when it meant dropping out of college to move to Hollywood with just a few hundred dollars.
Jane and William were more than just parents; they were partners in every sense. They cheered Brad on at red carpets, including the 2012 Oscars, where Jane famously bonded with Angelina Jolie over biscuits and gravy before the ceremony. But their marriage wasn’t without challenges. Reports suggest Jane’s conservative values clashed with Jolie’s liberal worldview, and after Brad’s 2016 divorce, Jane and William reportedly saw little of their six grandchildren, a painful rift that lasted years.
Despite the strain, Jane’s loyalty to her family never wavered. Her granddaughter Sydney’s tribute highlighted how Jane’s love for William was a constant: “Papa had to go along with it… though I know he secretly loved it too,” she wrote, recalling their playful “special days” with the grandkids.
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The Glue of the Pitt Family
Jane Etta Pitt’s legacy isn’t just in her famous son; it’s in the vibrant, creative family she nurtured. Alongside Brad, she raised Doug, a brewer and philanthropist, and Julie, a charity director working with communities in Ethiopia. Jane’s influence extended to her 14 grandchildren, whom she adored with a passion. Sydney’s Instagram post revealed the magic Jane brought to their lives: banana splits for breakfast, craft projects, and mini-golf tournaments where Jane “somehow still beat me.” She was the kind of grandmother who turned mundane moments into memories, whether teaching Sydney to paint or leading campfires in the Missouri backyard.
Brad Pitt’s mom Jane Etta Pitt dead at 84 https://t.co/k91ImLZYsi pic.twitter.com/tix30cq7y8
— New York Post (@nypost) August 6, 2025
Her faith was another cornerstone. A devout Christian, Jane instilled in her family the values of kindness, service, and joy in small things. “She believed in fairness, in putting others first, and doing good simply because it was the right thing to do,” Sydney wrote. That ethos echoed in her children’s lives—from Brad’s disaster relief work in New Orleans to Julie’s nonprofit efforts in Ethiopia. Even in her final years, Jane’s spirit remained vibrant. Photos shared by Sydney showed her lounging by a lake, celebrating her 80th birthday, and beaming beside William, a testament to a life well-lived.
Jane Etta Pitt’s passing leaves a void, but her loved ones’ tributes make one thing clear: her love was a force that shaped generations. From the Oklahoma girl who fell for a trucking entrepreneur to the matriarch who held her family together through fame and friction, Jane’s story is a reminder that behind every Hollywood legend, there’s often a mother like her, one who made banana splits and life lessons equally unforgettable.
