The legal battle between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie continues, with Pitt reportedly suing his ex-wife for $35 million amidst their ongoing dispute over Château Miraval, their French winery. The couple, once considered a Hollywood power couple, purchased the estate in 2011 for $60 million. Jolie filed for divorce in 2016, and though the divorce was finalized in December 2024, the dispute over the winery remains unresolved.
Pitt's lawsuit centers around Jolie's 2021 sale of her stake in Château Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group. Pitt claims that Jolie breached an agreement they had that neither would sell their share without the other's consent. He alleges that her actions have damaged Miraval's ongoing operations.
Recent court filings reveal that Pitt's legal team has submitted emails from Jolie's lawyers as evidence. These emails allegedly demonstrate Jolie's intent to bypass Pitt's involvement in the sale. One email from November 2023 reportedly references Pitt's multimillion-dollar lawsuit and his pursuit of damages.
Jolie's legal team has responded, arguing that Pitt is responsible for the burdensome nature of the legal proceedings, as he is the one suing for $35 million. They also claim that Pitt has refused to produce documents related to his request for a four-year non-disclosure agreement (NDA) covering his personal conduct, which they argue is central to their case.
Pitt's initial lawsuit was filed in 2022, alleging that Jolie sold her share of the winery without his approval, violating their prior agreement. Jolie has denied the existence of such an agreement and has filed a countersuit, claiming that Pitt has been "waging a vindictive war against" her.
Château Miraval isn't just a winery; it's a global brand valued in the hundreds of millions. Pitt's legal team argues that Jolie's sale has diluted the brand's value and jeopardized future business ventures and alleges that Tenute del Mondo has attempted to access confidential business records and intellectual property.
The financial stakes are high, with the lawsuit potentially reshaping how celebrity brands are built and protected. Eric Schiffer, chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, stated that the lawsuit is about control over a multimillion-dollar global brand.
The case continues to unfold, with the next hearing scheduled for December 17. The legal battle highlights the complexities of joint ownership, business, and trust, especially amidst a high-profile divorce.
