Angelina Jolie accuses Brad Pitt of 'putting career' above family in winery battle: 'Toll was immense'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Angelina Jolie returned to court just weeks after settling her eight-year divorce with ex husband Brad Pitt. On January 17, she filed a response to Pitt’s lawsuit, where they are at odds over the French winery Chateau Miraval, which they purchased during their marriage.

Pitt’s 2022 lawsuit accuses Jolie of violating an agreement not to sell her 50% stake in the winery without his approval. He claims he invested significant time and money in making Miraval profitable. The couple, who began dating in 2005, separated in 2016.

Angelina Jolie responds to Brad Pitt's lawsuit over Chateau Miraval sale

In 2021, Jolie decided to sell her stake in Chateau Miraval, which she and Brad Pitt had planned to pass down to their children. Brad, 61, claimed his team agreed to pay her $55.4 million for her share, with $46 million paid upfront and the remaining $8.5 million in installments, InTouch reports.

However, Brad accused Angelina of backing out of the deal, citing her concerns over the terms of a proposed non-disparagement agreement.

Pitt rejected Jolie’s excuse for backing out of the deal and believed she had secretly arranged a deal with a third party. Jolie ultimately sold her stake to Stoli for $64 million, leading Brad to sue, demanding that the sale be invalidated.

Jolie, 49, filed her answer to Pitt's lawsuit on January 17, 2025, after he accused her of violating a prior agreement not to sell her 50 percent stake in Miraval without his approval.

In her recent filing, the actress stated that Pitt stepped back from the deal and only agreed to move forward if Jolie accepted a new condition — a revised non-disparagement clause that would now cover all of Brad's personal misconduct, whether or not it related to Miraval.

This would include evidence of Pitt’s abuse of Jolie and their children that was sealed in court filings. Jolie argued that Brad "has himself never publicly denied his actions."

She added that for the past five years, she has had to endure his team leaking information as "sources" to undermine her claims. She described how Brad "putting preservation of his career above all else, including over the needs of his family," resulted in years of unnecessary pain for them.

"His actions caused the family years of unnecessary painful stress and the cumulative toll was immense," Jolie's filing continued. "Still, [Angelina] did her best to shoulder that burden placed not only on her, but on their children, and she never publicly discussed [Brad’s] actions."

Angelina Jolie rejects Brad Pitt’s terms in Miraval dispute

Jolie stated that even after Pitt insisted on the strict NDA, she still gave him more time to accept the deal without it. She mentioned that he responded to her counteroffer but demanded a more restrictive NDA.

Jolie then informed Pitt in June 2021 that she considered their negotiations terminated. She ultimately sold her stake to Stoli in October 2021.

The actress' lawyer added, “Pitt was infuriated that Jolie refused to accept his terms and this lawsuit is his attempt to punish her for her failure to comply. He sues her, claiming, among other things, that he has an unspoken, unwritten buy/sell agreement that Jolie would never sell to another party without his consent."

"He offers no other terms than that, which conveniently allows him to sidestep what was actually spoken and written, including Pitt’s own statement in 2008 (when the couple was about to purchase Miraval) ‘that it wasn’t necessary for two reasonable people to have such an agreement,’” the lawyer added.

Jolie argued that she has properly, fully, and completely fulfilled all obligations outlined in the contracts mentioned in the complaint. She requested that Pitt’s lawsuit be dismissed and that she be awarded her legal costs.

Internet asks Angelina Jolie to 'move on'

As news of Angelina Jolie’s response to Brad Pitt’s lawsuit over the Miraval sale spread on Facebook, users quickly began criticizing the actress.

A user said, "It’s giving obsessed….Angie we’re tired."

Another added, "Girl…let’s move on"

The third commentator remarked, "It’s over Angie you done turned the kids against him just let it go. Time to refocus on yourself and the kids"

"She is obsessed with causing him pain. Very vindictive," said a critic.

A person said, "She’s a nut case …"

Other chimed in, "Angelina needs a therapist; STAT!!"

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