Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have officially reached a divorce settlement, concluding an eight-year-long legal saga that has captured global attention. The high-profile Hollywood pair, who were once dubbed "Brangelina," married in 2014 and share six children.
Jolie initiated divorce proceedings in 2016, citing "irreconcilable differences." Subsequently, allegations emerged that Pitt had been abusive toward her and two of their children during a private jet flight that year. While these accusations were investigated, no charges were filed, and Pitt has consistently denied the claims. His legal team has remained silent on the specifics of the recent settlement.
A Long and Acrimonious Journey
Jolie's lawyer, James Simon, confirmed the resolution to People magazine, emphasizing Jolie's focus on healing. "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," Simon stated.
The details of the settlement remain confidential, and it is unclear whether it addresses the broader legal disputes that have characterized their split.
When the couple first announced their separation in 2016, they released a joint statement pledging to handle the matter privately. However, court documents and other proceedings over the years have revealed the contentious nature of their divorce.
Chateau Miraval Dispute
One unresolved issue is the couple's ongoing dispute over Château Miraval, a French vineyard they purchased in 2008 for approximately €25 million (£21.3 million). The vineyard served as the site of their wedding and became a central point of contention during the divorce.
In 2022, Pitt alleged that Jolie sold her share of the property to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, owner of Stolichnaya vodka, without his consent. He accused her of intentionally sabotaging his investment in the vineyard. These allegations resurfaced during the divorce proceedings, drawing further public attention.
Abuse Allegations and Custody Battles
The allegations of abuse against Pitt emerged through legal filings related to the Château Miraval case. Jolie claimed that during the 2016 private flight, Pitt had been physically and emotionally abusive toward her and their children, then aged between eight and 15. She accused him of grabbing, pushing, and assaulting her, as well as two of their children.
Pitt has categorically denied the allegations. In 2021, after a prolonged custody battle, a court awarded Pitt joint custody of the children.
In the years since the divorce, some of their children have taken steps to distance themselves from Pitt. In June, their daughter Shiloh petitioned a Los Angeles court to remove Pitt from her last name, opting to be known as Shiloh Jolie. Two other children have also reportedly ceased using Pitt’s surname.
The Couple's Legacy
At the peak of their marriage, Pitt and Jolie were among Hollywood's most influential and lucrative power couples, with a combined net worth estimated at $400 million (£319 million) in 2016, according to Forbes.
The pair first met in 2005 on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a film that ignited widespread media fascination with their relationship. Their union was Pitt’s second marriage, following his high-profile relationship with Friends star Jennifer Aniston, and Jolie’s third, after her marriages to actors Billy Bob Thornton and Jonny Lee Miller.
Careers and Future Endeavors
Despite their personal turmoil, both Jolie and Pitt have maintained successful careers. Jolie has starred in critically acclaimed films such as Girl, Interrupted, Changeling, and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Her latest project, Maria, is a biopic about opera singer Maria Callas.
Pitt has built an impressive filmography that includes Fight Club, Twelve Monkeys, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which earned him an Academy Award. He has recently been spotted filming a Formula One movie, titled F1, at Silverstone, in which he plays veteran driver Sonny Hayes.
A New Chapter
As one of Hollywood’s most publicized divorces draws to a close, both Jolie and Pitt face the opportunity to move forward. While the terms of their settlement remain undisclosed, the resolution marks the end of a tumultuous chapter for the former couple and their family.
The legal battles over Château Miraval and other lingering disputes may persist, but the divorce agreement signifies progress in a case that has captivated fans and critics alike for nearly a decade.
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