Actors Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement after an eight-year legal battle.
Jolie's lawyer confirmed to Reuters that “The parties and their counsel have signed agreements to preserve the privacy rights of their children and family by keeping all court documents confidential and engaging a private judge to make any necessary legal decisions and to facilitate the expeditious resolution of any remaining issues,"
“Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over,” the lawyer added.
Jolie first filed for divorce from Pitt in 2016, after two years of marriage, citing irreconcilable differences. She also sought full physical custody of their six children, then aged 8 to 15, while allowing Pitt visitation rights. Jolie alleged an incident on a private jet flight where Pitt was physically abusive to both her and their children.
The custody dispute sparked years of tension, with both parties accusing each other of manipulating the media in their favour. Pitt was also investigated and cleared of child abuse allegations during this time.
In 2021, a private judge awarded both parents equal custody of the children. A source close to Jolie that was cited in her lawyers statement said, “She doesn’t speak ill of him publicly or privately. She’s been trying hard to be light after a dark time,"
The source also revealed that the children had encouraged Jolie to "speak up for herself and defend herself throughout these years."
Jolie and Pitt met in 2005 while filming' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'. At the time, Pitt was married to 'Friends' actress Jennifer Aniston, and rumours swirled about an affair between Jolie and Pitt during the shoot. However, Jolie has denied this, insisting they were friends before Pitt’s split from Aniston in 2005.
Jolie was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.
In recent years, the couple has been embroiled in legal disputes over their $164 million French estate and winery, Château Miraval.
In February 2022, Pitt filed a lawsuit against Jolie regarding her sale of her stake in the property. In retaliation, the Tomb Raider star filed a countersuit, accusing her ex of "waging a vindictive war against" her.
Their legal battle over Miraval has continued into 2024, independent of their divorce proceedings. In November, Jolie scored a legal win when a judge ruled that Pitt must provide documents, including emails and texts, which Jolie’s attorney, Paul Murphy, claims will support her accusations of abuse against Pitt and “years of cover-up” on his part.
That same month, Pitt also notched a victory in the winery dispute when Jolie’s attempts to have the lawsuit dismissed were rejected, bringing the case closer to trial. A potential written agreement about the sale of the estate was mentioned by a source close to Pitt, who said it "demonstrates the legitimacy of his claims."
