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| Jolie and Pitt began their relationship after meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. |
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once among Hollywood's most celebrated couples, have finalized their divorce after an arduous and highly publicized eight-year legal battle. This resolution marks the end of one of the most contentious celebrity divorces in recent memory, though unresolved disputes remain.
Jolie, 49, filed for divorce from Pitt, 61, in 2016 following an incident on a private jet flight. She alleged that Pitt was abusive towards her and their children during the trip, claims he has consistently denied. The FBI and child services conducted investigations into the matter but did not pursue charges.
The divorce process, initially framed as amicable, devolved into a protracted legal fight encompassing child custody, financial settlements, and the division of assets. One key sticking point was Chateau Miraval, a French winery the couple jointly owned, which has become the subject of a separate lawsuit following Jolie's sale of her stake.
A default declaration filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday confirmed that Jolie and Pitt reached an agreement concerning their marital and property rights. However, no details of the settlement have been disclosed, and a judge's approval is still pending. Both parties have relinquished the right to future spousal financial support.
Jolie's attorney, James Simon, expressed her relief in a statement: “Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over”. Despite the settlement, the couple remains embroiled in legal battles, particularly over the winery, which Pitt accuses Jolie of selling unlawfully without his consent.
At the heart of the divorce was the custody of their six children, who were minors at the time of separation but now range in age from 16 to 23. Four of the children have since reached adulthood, reducing the custody disputes to their youngest twins, Knox and Vivienne, both 16.
The emotional toll on the family has been significant. According to showbiz journalist Jeanne Wolf, the prolonged legal strife has deeply affected all involved: “It's taken a big toll on the children and the couple involved”.
Jolie and Pitt began their relationship after meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr. & Mrs. Smith. The pair, both Academy Award winners, were at the peak of their Hollywood careers and quickly became the epitome of A-list glamour. They share six children, including three adopted internationally.
Their union, which culminated in a highly publicized wedding at Chateau Miraval in 2014, ended after just two years of marriage. Despite their celebrity status, the couple sought to keep much of the divorce proceedings private, hiring a private judge to mediate disputes.
While the divorce has been finalized, the ongoing litigation over Chateau Miraval ensures that legal entanglements will persist. Pitt has claimed that Jolie's sale of her share of the winery was "vindictive" and violated their mutual agreement, while Jolie has accused Pitt of attempting to coerce her into signing a non-disclosure agreement about his alleged behavior during their marriage.
Public statements from both sides have been sparse. Pitt admitted to a drinking problem during the later years of the marriage and has since sought sobriety and therapy. Jolie, meanwhile, emphasized her focus on the wellbeing of her children, stating in a 2020 interview that the decision to divorce was "for the healing of her family".
As Jolie's attorney remarked, the settlement represents "just one part of a long ongoing process". Despite the resolution of their divorce, the legacy of their tumultuous split, and its implications for their family and public image, will likely continue to reverberate.
For now, Hollywood's former power couple moves forward, leaving behind a chapter marked by both love and conflict.
This story is still developing, check back for update.