Brad Pitt’s mother, Jane Etta Pitt has died aged 84, leaving behind a grieving family and a legacy of love

Hollywood star Brad Pitt is mourning the loss of his mother, Jane Etta Pitt, who has died at the age of 84.

The family matriarch passed away earlier this week, although the precise date and cause of death remain unclear. Her passing was confirmed by her granddaughter Sydney Pitt, who paid a deeply emotional tribute on social media.

Sydney, the daughter of Brad’s brother Doug, shared heartfelt memories of her “sweet Grammy,” revealing the family was unprepared for the loss. “We were not ready for you to go yet,” she wrote, “but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier.”

Her words painted a portrait of a woman deeply loved by her family. “If you knew Grammy, you knew she had the biggest heart. She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked. She could keep up with all 14 of us grandkids without missing a beat.”

“She was love in its purest form,” Sydney added, “and I know she lives on through each of us.”

Jane Etta Pitt, née Hillhouse, was a school counsellor and wife to William Alvin Pitt, a trucking company owner. The couple raised their family in the American Midwest—first in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and later in Springfield, Missouri.

Together, they had three children: actor Brad Pitt, born in 1963; businessman Doug Pitt, born in 1966; and Julie Neal, born in 1969.

Despite her son’s global fame, Jane Etta mostly avoided the limelight. However, she occasionally made rare public appearances at major events, including the 2012 Academy Awards, where she walked the red carpet alongside Brad and his then-partner Angelina Jolie.

She also attended the 2014 premiere of Unbroken, directed by Jolie, accompanied by her husband Bill and several of their grandchildren.

Known for her warmth and devotion to family, Jane Etta was often seen smiling proudly beside her son at film premieres, but she remained a private figure who prioritised her role as a mother and grandmother over the spotlight.

Her death comes as a blow to the extended Pitt family, who are now left grappling with the loss of a woman remembered not for fame or fortune, but for the generosity of her spirit and her deep, unconditional love.

Photos over the years captured her presence at key moments in Brad’s life—from his early career to his Hollywood peak—but family say it was in quieter, everyday moments that Jane Etta’s legacy was truly made.

“She was always there,” one family friend said. “Not just for Brad, but for everyone. She loved fiercely, listened patiently, and gave without asking anything in return.”

As tributes continue to pour in, Brad Pitt himself has yet to make a public statement, but those close to the actor say he is grieving privately and cherishing time with his family during this painful chapter.

Jane leaves behind her husband Bill, three children, and 14 grandchildren. Her passing marks the end of an era for the Pitt family, but her legacy, her kindness, and her love endure in those who knew her best.