Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie may have ended their marriage years ago, but their legal battles are far from over. One of the biggest issues between the former couple is their shared French winery, Château Miraval, and tensions are escalating again.
According to court documents filed on June 20, Brad Pitt is preparing for a jury trial against Jolie that could last over two weeks. Jolie agrees that the trial may take more than 15 days. A final trial date hasn’t been set yet, and there are still several legal issues to sort out before then.
Pitt described the case as “complex,” mainly because it involves companies based in other countries and multiple lawsuits from both sides.
Also Read: Brad Pitt Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Children & Net Worth
The Background
Brad Pitt filed the lawsuit in 2022. He claims that he and Jolie had agreed not to sell their shares in the winery without first getting the other’s approval. The couple bought Château Miraval together in 2008 while they were still married. Pitt said they planned to keep it in the family and pass it down to their children. He also claimed he invested a lot of time and money turning the estate into a successful business.
Although the couple separated in 2016, both held on to their ownership in the winery. In 2021, Jolie told Pitt she wanted to leave the business. In an email later submitted to the court, Jolie shared her frustration. She said she had been left out of important decisions and felt the business wasn’t being run in a way that was good for their children.
Failed Buyout Deal and Disputed NDA
Pitt tried to buy out Jolie’s share and offered her $55.4 million. The offer included a large lump-sum payment and additional installments. But the deal fell apart after Pitt asked Jolie to sign a non-disparagement agreement (NDA), which would have prevented her from speaking negatively about him. Jolie said the NDA was meant to silence her and accused Pitt of trying to cover up “years of abuse,” which he has denied.