In a recent legal development, Angelina Jolie’s lawyers have made shocking allegations against her ex-husband Brad Pitt, claiming that the actor had a history of physical abuse towards Jolie that began before the widely publicized 2016 plane incident. The incident, which occurred during a flight from France to Los Angeles, led to Jolie filing for divorce and sparked a contentious legal battle between the former Hollywood power couple.
The pair’s years-long legal dispute is over their French winery, Château Miraval, in France and their shared ownership. Jolie’s legal team recently filed a motion seeking to release communications that they argue would demonstrate Pitt’s alleged abusive behavior towards Jolie prior to the 2016 plane incident. The court documents claim that Pitt had a pattern of physical abuse towards Jolie, which escalated to include their children during the fateful plane journey.
The couple, who purchased the Château Miraval estate in 2008 and later ventured into winemaking with the Perrin family, each owned a 50 percent share in the property. Following their divorce, Jolie sold her stake in the winery to a Russian oligarch, leading to a lawsuit from Pitt alleging obstruction and unfair sale of her ownership.
Jolie’s lawyers further alleged that Pitt attempted to silence her with a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would prevent her from selling her share of the winery without agreeing to extensive terms. However, Pitt’s legal team countered these claims in 2023, stating that Jolie had proposed a broader non-disparagement clause and that their NDA was intended to protect their joint business interests.
The legal battle between Jolie and Pitt has not only involved disputes over property and business ownership but has also delved into allegations of abuse and misconduct. Jolie’s lawyers detailed disturbing incidents, including claims that Pitt had choked one of their children and physically assaulted Jolie during the 2016 flight. Pitt denied these allegations and was not charged following an investigation into the matter.
Despite the contentious legal proceedings, Jolie’s lawyers emphasized that she chose not to press charges against Pitt, believing that he should take responsibility for his actions and assist the family in recovering from the trauma caused by his alleged abuse.
As the legal battle between Jolie and Pitt continues to unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and emotional toll of divorce proceedings, especially when played out in the public spotlight. The allegations of abuse and misconduct underscore the importance of addressing such serious issues with sensitivity, compassion, and a commitment to seeking justice and healing for all parties involved.
Pitt and Jolie, who started dating in 2004, married in 2014 and split in 2016, share six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and 15-year-old twins and Knox and Vivienne.