Jane Etta Pitt, the mother of Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, has passed away at the age of 84. News of her death was confirmed on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, by sources close to the Pitt family. Jane Etta Pitt was a retired school counselor who raised Brad and his two younger siblings, Doug and Julie, in Springfield, Missouri, alongside her husband, William Pitt.

The news was first reported by TMZ, with Brad Pitt's niece, Sydney Pitt, also sharing a heartfelt tribute to her grandmother on Instagram. Sydney's post included a series of throwback photos capturing joyful moments from Jane Etta's life. She wrote, "My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta, 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". Sydney also fondly remembered her grandmother's "biggest heart," noting that "She cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked". She added, "There was no limit to the love she gave, and everyone who met her felt it".

Sydney also reminisced about the life lessons she learned from her grandmother, saying, "She taught me how to paint, how to be strong, how to lead with kindness, to love Jesus through everything, and to find joy in the smallest things". She recalled Jane Etta's playful side, sharing that "She made up the silliest games just to make us laugh, and she believed in fairness, in putting others first, and doing good simply because it was the right thing to do".

Jane Etta Pitt met William Alvin Pitt at Oklahoma Baptist University and married him in 1962. Brad was born the following year and is the oldest of their three children. Jane is survived by her husband, William, her children Brad, Doug, and Julie, and 14 grandchildren.

While the cause of death has not been officially revealed, it is presumed she died of natural causes due to her age.

Jane Etta Pitt maintained a close relationship with her son Brad throughout his life, though she mostly remained out of the spotlight. She did, however, make several red carpet appearances with Brad over the years, including at the 2012 Academy Awards and the 1997 premiere of "The Devil's Own". In 2002, she humorously roasted her son during a Mother's Day segment on "The Late Show with David Letterman".

Brad Pitt has often spoken of his mother with great affection, and credited her as the "emotional cornerstone" of their family. In 2009, Brad and his siblings demonstrated their love and appreciation for their mother by donating $1 million to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, to establish the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center. This donation marked the first time pediatric oncologists and hematologists were hired as staff in southwest Missouri. Jane Etta Pitt expressed her pride in her children's philanthropic efforts in a 2018 video for WorldServe International, stating, "They see a need and try to step in and fill it... It's an amazing thing".

Jane Etta Pitt was born on August 13, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Joplin, Missouri. She worked as an elementary school teacher and school counselor in the Springfield public school system. Her family has noted that "Her greatest joy was her role as Grammy to her fourteen grandchildren". Her obituary further stated, “The years of 'Your Special Day' of one-on-ones with each grandkid are some of their fondest memories".