
Jane Etta Pitt, Brad Pitt’s Mother, Dies at 84
News of the matriarch's passing emerged when Brad Pitt's niece posted a heartbreaking tribute on social media, remembering her and the life she lived.
Jane Etta Pitt, Brad Pitt’s mother and a longtime resident of Springfield, Missouri, has died. She was 84. The news reached headlines when Brad's niece, Sydney Pitt, honored her "sweet Grammy" in a tribute on Instagram on Wednesday, August 6.

William Pitt, Jane Pitt, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 84th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 26, 2012, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
"My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta," Sydney began. "We were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier."
"If you knew Grammy, you knew she had the biggest heart. She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked," she continued. Sydney went on to recount cherished memories she shared with Jane and the lessons she learned from her Grammy.
"I don't know how we move forward without her. But I know she's still here in every brushstroke, every kind gesture, every hummingbird. She was love in its purest form," she said. "We were truly blessed to have her to love on growing up and I know she lives on through each of us."
Jane was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1940. She was a former elementary school teacher and was married to William Pitt, Brad's father, for 63 years. The couple tied the knot in 1962 and welcomed three children — Brad, Doug, and Julie — whom they raised in Springfield, Missouri.
They made a few red carpet appearances with Brad over the years, including when he was married to Angelina Jolie. Their last known appearance was at the "Unbroken" Los Angeles premiere in December 2014.