The Tumultuous Legal Battle Between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
Miraval: More than Just an Estate
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, once Hollywood’s golden couple, are now entrenched in a contentious legal dispute over their estate, Miraval, located in the south of France.
Purchased in 2008, Miraval holds sentimental value as the birthplace of their twins and the venue of their 2014 wedding.
According to Frank Pollaro, a close associate, “Miraval was a love letter to his wife and his children, providing a beautiful life for Angelina and the kids.”
Despite the deep emotional connection, the estate is now at the center of their dispute.
A Doomsday Clause Rejected
Initially, as co-owners of the estate, a proposed ‘doomsday clause’ would have necessitated one to buy out the other in the event of a split. Both rejected this idea, assuming their union was unbreakable.
The Controversial Email
In an email dated January 21, 2021, Jolie expressed her desire to sell Miraval. She poignantly referenced the estate as the “beginning of the end of our family,” linking it to a traumatic event in September 2016 involving Pitt and their children.
The Financial Feud
In February 2021, Pitt proposed buying Jolie’s stake for $54.5 million. However, Jolie’s accusations of Pitt’s domestic abuse complicated matters. Pitt’s condition for the sale – an NDA restricting Jolie from discussing his personal conduct – was termed an “unconscionable gag order” by her.
Pitt’s rationale was to safeguard the asset’s value, but in October, Jolie sold her share for $67 million to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler’s company, Tenute del Mondo. Pitt perceives this as retaliation, especially after gaining joint custody of their children, a decision later revoked.
The Lawsuit(s)
In 2022, Pitt sued Jolie, her holding company, and Miraval’s new owners, accusing Jolie of not contributing to Miraval’s success. Stoli countered with their lawsuit, alleging Pitt’s actions devalued their investment.
By June 1, 2023, Pitt sought to reverse Jolie’s sale of Nouvel. The back-and-forth elicited public statements from both parties’ representatives, emphasizing their perspectives.
Anne Kiley, representing Pitt, said, “Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for from day one, but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do.”
Amidst the legal chaos, an insider remarked, “Everybody was shocked by the eruption on the plane, because Brad is not an abusive person. But even more devastating was what came afterwards: Brad being alienated from those he loves most—his children.”
This saga underscores the complexity of their relationship and the intricate nature of celebrity divorces.
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
