Brad Pitt Is Suing Angelina Jolie For Selling A Major Shared Asset
Brad Pitt just called his lawyer.
This article is more than 2 years old
Sour grapes have gone awry in the ongoing war between Brad Pitt and ex-wife Angelina Jolie. The divorcees have spent the last year in the limelight not necessarily for their work in Hollywood, but for their sustained conflict amid the duo’s less than pleasant divorce. Now, it looks like the Hollywood icons are once again headed for the courtroom, as new reports show that Brad Pitt is suing his ex for selling her stake in their French vineyard.
The vineyard in question, the Chateau Miraval first served as a luxury getaway for the couple who bought the estate in southeastern France back in 2008. Having a deep connection to their relationship, the couple also married on the grounds in 2014. The caveat to Jolie’s break from the business venture comes in a court-ordered document obtained by the Press Association news agency. The papers reveal that both parties agreed never to sell their respective interests without the other’s consent.
The business move found Jolie selling her 40% stake in the vineyard to a Russian spirits manufacturer controlled by businessman Yuri Shefler. While the price tag for the business deal remains a mystery, we do know that the former couple originally purchased the Miraval estate for roughly $28 million in 2008. According to the reports, Jolie informed Brad Pitt of her decision to sell to Shefller in January, saying she had reached a “painful decision, with a heavy heart.”
While Brad Pitt is eager to take his ex-wife to court, his lawyer has made a few official statements regarding the incident. According to his lawyer, the move intended to cause the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star “gratuitous harm” after he already “poured money and sweat equity” into the venture. And in actuality, it looks like Pitt did put his all into the vineyard he owned a majority stake in.
Brad Pitt’s lawyers also said the property and its wine business continue to flourish despite Jolie allegedly never taking an involvement in the venture. The attorney also made sure to mention that while not taking a direct interest in the vineyard, she did benefit from its lucrative success. Furthermore, the lawyers claimed the vineyard was one of Pitt’s profitable passions that have grown over the years into a multimillion-dollar business venture. Miraval estate is also recognized as being a global leader in the production of rose wine.
While the clear cut terms of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s agreement never to share without the other’s acceptance point to Jolie being at blame here, a spokesperson for Jolie has yet to make an official statement, as we are sure there will be more to unfold on this developing story. But as is common with law practice-something Pitt should be familiar with given his portrayal in the field via 1996’s Sleepers), Pitt’s lawyers appear quick to jump to assumptions. “She sold her interest with the knowledge and intention that Shefler and his affiliates would seek to control the business to which Pitt had devoted himself and to undermine Pitt’s investment in Miraval,” the lawsuit claims.
A look back at Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s love story tells a tumultuous one that seemed destined for failure even before it began. The couple started a scandalous affair after filming Mr. and Mrs.Smith, which ended his marriage to Jennifer Aniston. The Hollywood couple spent 14 years together. And while they married at the Miraval estate in 2014, their marriage failed to age like fine wine. The couple filed for divorce in 2016. Six years later, the exes are still dueling it out in the courtroom.
A few months ago, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie broke headlines with an ongoing custody battle for their six shared children. Other than keeping busy in legal proceedings, Brad Pitt is keeping busy in Hollywood both behind the scenes and on-screen. He will make an appearance next month in the rom-com The Lost City. He will also star in upcoming films Bullet Train and Babylon. He also acted as producer for the upcoming Marilyn Monroe biopic, Blonde.
