Brad Pitt has secured a major victory in his ongoing legal battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over the ownership of the Miraval estate in France. On November 8, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lia Martin ruled in favor of Pitt, rejecting three motions filed by Jolie’s legal team that sought to dismiss Pitt’s claims regarding the sale of the French vineyard.
Court Ruling on Miraval Estate Dispute
In the court filing, Judge Martin sided with Brad Pitt’s claims that Jolie violated both a written and verbal agreement regarding the sale of shares in the Miraval vineyard. According to Pitt’s legal team, the couple had signed an agreement in 2013 through their respective companies—Mondo Bongo and Nouvel—that gave each party the right of first refusal to buy shares of the estate. The agreement also prohibited the sale of any part of the property to outside parties without mutual consent.
Pitt’s legal team argues that the 2013 written agreement, alongside the verbal understanding between the two, was a binding commitment that Jolie violated when she sold her share of the estate to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2022 for $67 million, without seeking Pitt’s approval.
Judge Martin’s ruling on November 8 allows Pitt’s case to move forward. Jolie’s lawyers have 30 days to respond to the decision, further prolonging the legal battle between the two former Hollywood powerhouses.
Reactions and Legal Implications
A source close to Brad Pitt expressed confidence in the ruling, calling it a “clear victory” for the actor. The source also emphasized that the decision affirmed the legitimacy of Pitt’s claims and discredited Jolie’s arguments, describing them as lacking any factual basis.
This ruling marks a significant step in the legal saga between the two stars, which began in 2016 when Jolie sought to sell her stake in the Miraval estate. Brad Pitt objected, stating his emotional attachment to the property, which he had invested substantial time and effort in restoring and renovating. Despite Pitt’s objections, Jolie pursued the sale, leading to the lawsuit filed by Pitt in 2022.
Ongoing Legal Struggles Between Jolie and Pitt
While the Miraval estate dispute rages on, other legal battles between the former couple continue. Most notably, in 2022, Brad Pitt accused Angelina Jolie of secretly selling her share of the vineyard to Shefler, which he claims violated their agreement. Since then, the two sides have been locked in continuous legal conflict, with Jolie accused of using a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to cover up alleged wrongdoings during and after their marriage.
In addition to the vineyard dispute, Angelina Jolie has also attempted to stop some of the legal proceedings. In July, her representatives suggested that she wanted Brad Pitt to drop the lawsuit to heal family wounds. Furthermore, in September, Jolie filed a separate lawsuit under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” requesting information about the FBI’s investigation into Brad Pitt’s alleged abuse of her and their children during the 2016 plane incident.
The History of Jolie and Pitt’s Relationship
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt first met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2005, while Pitt was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their relationship blossomed into a high-profile romance, and they married in 2014. Together, they raised six children—three of whom were adopted and three biological.
However, in 2016, Jolie filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple’s separation was marked by a highly publicized custody battle, with most of their children siding with Jolie. Only their 16-year-old son, Knox, has remained silent on the matter.
Brad Pitt’s legal victory in the Miraval estate case is a significant win in his ongoing battle with Angelina Jolie. While the dispute over the French vineyard continues, the court’s recent ruling ensures that the case moves forward, offering Pitt a chance to secure his interests in the estate. The ongoing legal saga highlights the ongoing tensions between the former couple, with no resolution in sight.
