The ongoing legal conflict between Angelina Jolie, 48, and Brad Pitt, 60, over the ownership of Chateau Miraval, a $500 million winery located in France, continues to unfold with new court developments.
In the most recent filings, Jolie’s attorneys labeled Pitt’s demand for her to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) as “abusive,” intensifying the battle over their joint assets and allegations of past abuses.
The dispute traces back to the couple’s split in 2016 when Jolie accused Pitt of being physically abusive towards her and their children during a flight from France to California. This incident, according to Jolie, marked the start of an acrimonious split, which led to a bitter custody and financial battle.
Brad Pitt had sought access to Jolie’s NDAs with third parties in a motion filed recently, which her lawyers have criticized as “expensive, wasteful, unreasonable, and abusive,” according to court documents. Jolie argued that revealing these NDAs would infringe on the privacy of other parties involved, potentially including movie studios, brands, and employees. These documents likely cover details about Jolie’s compensation arrangements, both received and paid.
The failed negotiations over the winery centered around an expansive NDA that Pitt wanted Jolie to sign. According to Jolie’s legal team, this was aimed at preventing her from discussing Pitt’s alleged abusive behavior. As negotiations stalled, Jolie proceeded to sell her stake in Chateau Miraval to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, reportedly to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, a move Pitt contested, asserting that she had done so without his consent.
Jolie’s court filings depict Pitt’s NDA demands as an attempt to cover his “personal misconduct,” not just related to the winery but extending to other areas of their prior relationship. The dispute over the sale and terms of NDAs has revealed a complex interaction between personal allegations and business dealings.
Brad Pitt’s representatives have countered these claims, highlighting his ongoing financial support to Jolie and their children, which by 2018 amounted to more than $1.3 million in child support, along with other significant financial contributions.
Legal experts following the case note that the outcome could set precedents for how celebrity-owned businesses are handled post-separation, especially when allegations of personal misconduct are involved. The court’s decisions could also influence public and legal perceptions of NDAs in divorce proceedings.
Despite the legal entanglements, the value of Chateau Miraval has significantly increased since the couple originally purchased it. Initially valued at around $60 million in 2008, the estate is now estimated to be worth approximately $164 million, thanks to investments and enhancements largely driven by Pitt.
Meanwhile, Jolie has continued to advance her career and business ventures, including signing a significant lease for a property in Manhattan to house her fashion label, Atelier Jolie. This move, along with her increased financial standing post-divorce, contrasts with the ongoing legal narrative of financial strain due to the divorce proceedings.
As the legal proceedings continue, both Pitt and Jolie remain active in their respective projects and commitments, both in the entertainment industry and their broader business activities. The resolution of their legal disputes will likely have lasting implications for their personal and professional lives.
