Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt split by Jolie’s desire, Pitt expresses sadness

Actor Brad Pitt has said he is “very saddened” that his wife Angelina Jolie has filed for divorce and has asked for privacy on their children’s behalf.

“I am very saddened by this, but what matters most now is the well-being of our kids,” he told People magazine.

“I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time.”

Jolie, 41, filed for divorce from Pitt, 52, citing irreconcilable differences on Monday.

Her lawyer, Robert Offer, said the decision had been made “for the health of the family”.

It is understood Jolie is seeking physical custody of the couple’s six children and asking the judge to give Pitt visitation rights.

Speculation is mounting over the causes behind the split, with one newspaper claiming Jolie was “upset with Pitt’s parenting skills”.

Ms Jolie’s long-time manager Geyser Kosinski told E! Online: “Angelina will always do what’s in the best interest of taking care of her family.”

Madame Tussauds in London marked the split by announcing on Twitter that its mannequins of the pair have been separated. Twlight actor Robert Pattinson appears to have been placed between them.

Pitt and Jolie – nicknamed “Brangelina” by fans – married in 2014, 10 years after meeting on the set of 2005 film Mr & Mrs Smith.

It was Pitt’s second marriage, having previously wed Friends star Jennifer Aniston, and Jolie’s third after actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.