On November 10, 2024, Judge Lia Martin of the Los Angeles Court of Appeals issued a crucial ruling in the ongoing legal battle between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie concerning the Miraval Estate in France. The judge rejected three motions filed by Jolie’s legal team, which aimed to dismiss Pitt’s claims, affirming the validity of the Fight Club star’s legal arguments.
The Details of the Lawsuit
The dispute began in 2016 when Angelina Jolie sought to sell her stake in the Miraval vineyard. Brad Pitt objected, arguing that their previous agreement stipulated neither party could sell shares in the property without the other’s consent. Pitt’s legal team asserts that in 2013, the former couple signed an agreement through their respective companies—Mondo Bongo and Nouvel—that included a clause prohibiting the sale of assets to third parties without mutual approval.
In April 2024, Brad Pitt presented his case to the court, claiming that Jolie violated this agreement by secretly selling her shares to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021 for $67 million. Judge Lia Martin sided with Pitt, ordering Jolie to respond to the ruling within 30 days.
Court Decision: “Clear Victory for Brad Pitt”
The recent court decision is being hailed as a significant win for Brad Pitt. A source close to the actor told People that the ruling was “a clear victory,” as the judge upheld the legality of Pitt’s claims while dismissing Jolie’s baseless arguments. This ruling reinforces the legitimacy of the agreement between the former couple regarding the sale of their shares in the Miraval estate, confirming that it must be honored.
Background: A Legal Battle Over Miraval
This lawsuit is far from the first legal confrontation between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie since their 2016 divorce. The couple, who had been married for 12 years and raised six children together, including three biological and three adopted, have continued to clash over custody and joint assets, particularly the Miraval estate. Brad Pitt has invested considerable time and resources into restoring and enhancing the property, making it a point of personal and financial significance.
The conflict escalated in 2022 when Jolie sold her stake in the estate without Pitt’s approval, despite their prior agreement to protect each other’s interests. The ongoing legal battle has been marked by accusations and counterclaims, with both sides vying for control over the estate’s future.
Recent Moves by Angelina Jolie
Though Angelina Jolie had previously expressed a desire to end the legal fight, asking Brad Pitt to cease litigation for the sake of “healing the family” in July 2024, the case remains unresolved. In late September, multiple international outlets reported that Jolie used the pseudonym Jane Doe to file a motion requesting the dismissal of a lawsuit related to allegations that Brad Pitt had assaulted her and their children on a private plane in 2016.
The Future of the Lawsuit
While the court ruling has given Brad Pitt a temporary advantage, the legal battle between him and Angelina Jolie is far from over. Brad Pitt is determined to assert his legal rights to the Miraval estate, while Jolie may continue to challenge the ruling and pursue further legal actions. Both parties remain in the process of negotiating the resolution of asset disputes and child custody issues.
The ongoing lawsuit between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is one of the most complex celebrity legal disputes in Hollywood. With the recent decision from the Los Angeles Court of Appeals, Brad Pitt has gained a temporary advantage, but the situation is still fluid, and further legal developments are expected in the coming months as both sides continue to pursue their respective interests.
