Brangelina split: Brad Pitt breaks his silence on shocking divorce announcement

Brad Pitt has broken his silence on the shocking announcement that came on Tuesday that his wife, Angelina Jolie, was filing for divorce after just two years of marriage. The pair had been together since 2004.

PEOPLE magazine obtained an exclusive statement from the actor, 52, just hours after the news was made public, initially reported by TMZ.

SEE ALSO: Angelina Jolie files for divorce from Brad Pitt (Report)

"I am very saddened by this," Pitt said in the statement. "But what matters most now is the well-being of our kids. I kindly ask the press to give them the space they deserve during this challenging time."

See photos of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie together:

Despite initial reports that indicated a potential affair with "Allied" costar Marion Cotillard, sources close to the situation indicate that Jolie may have simply reached a breaking point with Pitt and worried about how his alleged substance abuse and angry outbursts may affect their six children.

SEE ALSO: All of the theories about the Brangelina divorce suggest that Brad Pitt is a nightmare

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Though Jolie herself has yet to comment publicly on the news, her longtime manager released an official statement to E! News on Tuesday that alluded to the apparent toxic home environment.

"Angelina will always do what's in the best interest of taking care of her family," her manager, Geyer Kosinski told E! on Tuesday. "She appreciates everyone's understanding of their need for privacy at this time."

The initial breaking news report also indicated that Jolie was seeking physical custody of the couple's six children. She asks that Pitt would be given visitation rights.

More to come.

For more information on the couple's unexpected divorce, watch the video below:

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