Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt reach divorce settlement after eight-year legal battle
The divorce proceedings turned contentious, with Jolie accusing Pitt of abusive behavior during a 2016 private jet incident involving her and two of their children.
After years of public and private disputes, Hollywood stars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, marking a significant chapter in an eight-year legal battle that began in 2016.
Dubbed “Brangelina” by the press, the couple married in 2014 and have six children together. Their relationship, which began on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, captivated global audiences. However, the union officially ended when Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, citing “irreconcilable differences.”
The divorce proceedings turned contentious, with Jolie accusing Pitt of abusive behavior during a 2016 private jet incident involving her and two of their children. While Pitt denied the allegations, and no charges were filed following a police investigation, the accusations became a focal point in the public narrative surrounding their separation.
Jolie’s lawyer, James Simon, told People magazine that his client has been focusing on “finding peace and healing for their family” throughout the process. He acknowledged the emotional toll on Jolie, stating, “This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”
Although a settlement has been reached, unresolved issues remain. The pair has been embroiled in a bitter legal fight over Château Miraval, a French vineyard they purchased in 2008 for €25 million. The property, where their wedding took place, has been at the center of a dispute since Pitt accused Jolie of selling her stake to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler without his consent, potentially harming his wine business.
Additionally, the couple faced a protracted child custody battle, which was resolved with a joint arrangement in 2021.
Jolie, an Oscar-winning actress known for Girl, Interrupted and Changeling, is currently starring in Maria, a biopic about opera singer Maria Callas. Pitt, equally acclaimed for films like Fight Club and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, has been working on his upcoming Formula One film, F1, where he plays veteran driver Sonny Hayes.
Despite the acrimonious nature of their divorce, both Jolie and Pitt have largely avoided speaking extensively about their relationship in recent years. Their initial statement in 2016 emphasized a private resolution, but court cases over the years revealed the complexities and tensions of their split.
The settlement may bring an end to one chapter of their legal entanglements, but it remains to be seen whether the disputes over Château Miraval and other matters will finally conclude.
