Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Break Up: Everything We've Learned in the Span of a Week

Where Brangelina stands with their divorce filings, children's custody, pre-nuptial agreement and more—broken down day-by-day

By Rebecca Macatee Sep 27, 2016 10:00 AMTags

It was one week ago Monday that Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt after two years of marriage.

The public learned about Brangelina's split the following day, and as hearts shattered all around the world, details about what led to the end of Brad and Angelina's breakup began to emerge. Real reports and rumors came from every corner of the Internet, and it takes a true Jolie-Pitt scholar to separate all the fact from fiction. 

That's where we come in, and fortunately for you, we've broken down the past week in Brangelina for you day-by-day. 

photos
Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie: Romance Recap
Amanda Schwab/Startraksphoto.com

Monday (9/19): Angelina files for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. According to court documents later obtained by E! News, she is seeking sole physical custody of the six Jolie-Pitt children, suggesting Brad get visitation rights.

Tuesday (9/20): After TMZ breaks the news about Brangelina's split, Angelina's longtime manager Geyer Kosinski gives E! News an exclusive statement on behalf of the actress, saying, "Angelina will always do what's in the best interest of taking care of her family. She appreciates everyone's understanding of their need for privacy at this time."

Brad later releases his own statement, saying, "I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the wellbeing of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

George Clooney, a close friend of the couple's, learns on camera that Brad and Angelina are getting divorced.

read
Samuel L. Jackson Couldn't Care Less That Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Are Divorcing

Wednesday (9/21): In a bold move, Madame Tussauds separates Angelina and Brad's wax figures.

Thursday (9/22): The Department of Children and Family Services in Los Angeles County conducts an inquiry into allegations that Brad was involved in an incident with a child aboard a private plane flying from Europe to L.A., NBC News reports. Earlier, Armand Montiel, DCFS Public Affairs Director, had told E! News the law does not allow the department to confirm or deny subjects of its investigations. A spokesperson for the LAPD told E! News police are not investigating allegations of child abuse.

TMZ and People were first to report that Brad was under investigation for the incident aboard the private plane, which allegedly took place Sept. 14. (Angelina separated from him the following day (Sept. 15), according to court documents obtained by E! News. She filed for divorce Sept. 19.)

Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures International

We do not know the specifics of the incident that allegedly occurred aboard the private plane in September. A source exclusively tells E! News, however, "This comes down to the kind of disagreements that sometimes occur between teenage boys and their father. This is where the situation has spiraled from. And Angelina as a mother can be very protective."

"It was a typical argument between parents and kids," says a source. "Things got heated but they were never in physical danger."

Brad enlists Charlie Sheen's lawyer Lance Spiegel amid divorce from Angelina.

Daniel Smith/Paramount Pictures

Also on Thursday, Brad's Allied co-star Marion Cotillard shuts down cheating rumors with a statement on Instagram, writing, "This crafted conversation isn't distressing. And to all the media and the haters who are quick to pass judgment, I sincerely wish you a swift recovery...I do very much wish that Angelina and Brad, both whom I deeply respect, will find peace in this very tumultuous moment."

read
Brangelina No More: Celebrities React to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's Divorce
Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

Friday (9/23): New details emerge on the private plane incident that resulted in Brad being questioned by DCFS. A source tells E! News it "was a parent/child argument" between Brad and 15-year-old Maddox Jolie- Pitt.

"There was no punching, and there was no inappropriate contact," says one insider. "This was a very normal family argument."

Brad is "very upset" by the situation, one source tells E! News. "He just wanted to protect his children from all of this. He's a very good father." As one source told E! News previously, both Brad and Angelina "love the kids more than anything else in the world" and truly want what's best for them.

Also on Friday, Jennifer Aniston surfaces in NYC for the first time amid the Brangelina drama.

Saturday (9/24): The Friends star and husband Justin Theroux step out for a date night in New York City.

Sunday (9/25): All is quiet on the Brangelina front.

Monday (9/26): A source confirms to E! News that Angelina and Brad do have a prenuptial agreement, but money isn't likely to be an issue with this divorce. Instead, both parents are focused on the children's wellbeing.

Brad "really wants to see the kids and to work out an arrangement that is best for them," a source tells E! News. "Brad wants to work things out privately and amicably."