Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were one of the most powerful couples in Tinseltown and also one of the most followed ones, but they soon headed for splitsville. In 2019, they parted ways. Since then, they have been embroiled in many court battles. The latest court case has Angelina Jolie on the receiving end, as Brad sued her for selling her share of the French vineyard where the couple got married.
Let’s rewind to the times when the duo was deliriously in love and bought a controlling stake in Chateau Miraval in southern France in 2008. They walked down the aisle six years later. Things went awry later and their marriage dissolved in 2016. Since then, it has been one court battle after another.
The Lawsuit
As per the lawsuit filed by Pitt, the couple had agreed that they had vowed never to sell off the chateau but it was Jolie who ended up hampering Pitt’s interests in Miraval without seeking the latter’s consent. Jolie decided to go ahead and sell off her stake to a Luxembourg-based spirits manufacturer that is managed by the Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler. This is as per the legal document provided by Pitt at that time.
Pitt’s filing means that Jolie broke the terms mentioned in the original agreement by not only depriving him of his rightful share but also by securing profits for herself at Brad’s expense.
The Bone of Contention
As per Brad’s lawyers, Jolie had long ago stopped making any contributions to Miraval, while it was Pitt who poured money into the wine business, making it a successful company.
Pitt’s lawyers now want a trial by jury. The vineyard in question is a small, unprofitable wine business that was in dire need of an upgrade before the couple’s purchase in 2008. Pitt and Jolie together contributed to the estate, where Pitt paid almost 60 percent, while Jolie contributed 40 percent. Pitt had contributed majorly in the belief that Jolie would not pull out of the investment without his consent.
The Revenue Factor
Pitt had made several investments, one of them being bringing Marc Perrin, who was one of France’s top winemakers and the one who helped transform the business into a profitable one. However, during this phase, Jolie did not make any contribution.
Revenues amped up from $3 million in 2013 to almost $50 million in 2021, with Miraval also coming out with their new line of rose sparkling wine. A source revealed that Jolie is hoping to earn profits from something that she did not have a say in.
Jolie’s Point of View
Jolie’s lawyer had expressed surprise at the lawsuit, saying that she got no such notification from Pitt. They have learned about the entire saga from the media. Ms. Jolie, at that time, was on a long international flight with her kids, hence, she was unable to respond.
The Miraval Angle
Tenute del Mondo is the drinks company that purchased Jolie’s share and had said in a statement that she chose to invest in Miraval which is an exceptional wine and brand that adds value to their portfolio. The company is thinking of bringing forth new talent, skills, and distribution channels that will make Miraval stand out as one of the most successful brands of rose wine and champagne.
The Custody Battle
A-listers Pitt and Jolie are not new to court battles. Right from the time they announced their separation, they have been embroiled in one controversy after another. Pitt was also accused of minor abuse, but the charges were later dropped by the FBI and social workers.
The pair also later reached an amicable settlement about the custody of their kids – three biological and three adopted. The custody battle also reached a turning point with the replacement of the judge, as he was disqualified. Judge John Ouderkirk had also officiated at their wedding at the vineyard but was later found to be lacking because he had financially benefited from Pitt’s lawyers. He was disqualified from the case by a California appeals court.
As far as the latest lawsuit over the Chateau Miraval, we are wondering who will emerge as the winner of this case. We will continue to keep our eyes on this high-profile lawsuit to know more about the outcome of this one and we will keep you posted for sure.