After over eight years of contentious legal battles, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement. Jolie, 49, initially filed for divorce on September 19, 2016, ending their two-year marriage and a 12-year relationship. The legal process officially concluded on December 30, as confirmed by Jolie’s legal team.
Jolie’s lawyer, James Simon, expressed her relief, stating, “This marks a significant step in an ongoing journey that began eight years ago. Angelina is exhausted but grateful this chapter has ended.” A source close to Jolie added that she has refrained from speaking negatively about Pitt publicly or privately, aiming to move forward positively.
The divorce stemmed from allegations of abuse during a private plane flight shortly before Jolie filed for dissolution. Although Pitt faced investigations, no charges were filed, and Jolie chose not to press charges. Early in 2017, the former couple agreed to handle their divorce privately, protecting their children’s privacy by employing a private judge.
In 2017, Pitt and Jolie also sealed sensitive custody records involving their six children: Maddox (23), Pax (21), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Vivienne and Knox (16). The custody battles, intertwined with harsh accusations, led to their bifurcated divorce in 2019, legally rendering them single.
The divorce proceedings were further complicated by disputes over Château Miraval, their $164 million French estate and winery. Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 over the sale of her stake, alleging she violated an agreement. Jolie countered with claims of a vindictive legal campaign by Pitt.
Pitt’s team dismissed Jolie’s accusations as attempts to misrepresent the past, while Jolie maintained there was no agreement preventing the sale. The legal wrangling over Miraval persisted throughout 2024, separate from their divorce case.
Both parties achieved mixed legal victories in November. Jolie secured access to documents she believes will substantiate her abuse claims, while Pitt advanced his case by countering Jolie’s motions to dismiss. The former couple remains locked in disputes over Miraval, but the finalized divorce represents a significant closure for their tumultuous relationship.
