In a poignant declaration filed with the Los Angeles Superior Court, Angelina Jolie has laid bare the profound emotional and financial toll of her divorce from Brad Pitt, a process she describes as "emotionally difficult" for herself and their six children—Maddox (24), Pax (21), Zahara (20), Shiloh (19), and twins Knox and Vivienne (17). The filing, obtained by Page Six, is part of an ongoing legal dispute over their French estate, Château Miraval, a property that holds deep sentimental value for the family. The court documents reveal the personal sacrifices Jolie made post-separation, the financial strain she endured, and her efforts to shield her children from the fallout of a tumultuous period marked by allegations of abuse and a contentious legal battle.
Jolie’s filing addresses Pitt’s demand that she produce private messages related to their dispute over Château Miraval, a vineyard they co-owned during their marriage. She explained that the events precipitating her decision to file for divorce in 2016 were so traumatic that she chose to leave Pitt in control of their family homes in Los Angeles and at Miraval without seeking compensation. “I hoped this would make him calmer in his dealings with me after a difficult and traumatic period,” Jolie stated, referencing her prior accusations of abuse against Pitt. The actress emphasized that neither she nor her children have returned to Miraval since the separation due to its association with the painful events that led to the end of their marriage. “Miraval was one of the first major investments we made together, and it was a focal point of our family life,” she wrote. “We were married there, I spent part of my pregnancy there, and I brought our twin children home there from the hospital. To have such a sudden break from my home and memories has been hard, and it was especially difficult for the children to have their lives so disrupted.”
Following the separation, Jolie prioritized her children’s well-being, revealing that she declined work opportunities for approximately two years to focus on their emotional recovery. This decision exacerbated her financial challenges, as she had not sought alimony or other financial support from Pitt. With her savings tied up in Miraval, Jolie explained that selling her stake in the vineyard to the Stoli Group’s wine division was necessary to secure funds for herself and her children. Pitt, however, has sued Jolie, alleging that she sold her share without his consent, a claim she disputes, asserting that she was not required to obtain his permission. The sale of her stake, she noted, was critical because she could not afford to purchase a home outright in Los Angeles for herself and her children. Pitt agreed to loan her money for the purchase, but with interest, adding to her financial burden.
Jolie’s emotional ties to Miraval complicated her decision to sell. She recalled early 2017 discussions about selling her stake to Pitt, which she found “always difficult” due to the property’s significance. The estate was not just a financial investment but a symbol of their shared life, making its loss a deeply personal blow. The actress’s filing underscores the broader impact of the divorce on her children, whose lives were upended by the sudden changes. Despite these challenges, Jolie has remained steadfast in her commitment to her children’s stability, seeking a new home to provide them with a sense of security.
In the latest development, Jolie is requesting that Pitt cover $33,000 in legal fees she incurred responding to his motion for her private communications. Her legal team argued that they repeatedly urged Pitt to withdraw the motion, warning that they would seek reimbursement if the court denied it. Pitt’s refusal has led Jolie to ask the court to order him to pay her attorneys’ fees, highlighting the ongoing contentious nature of their legal interactions.
Pitt, now 61, maintains that the Miraval dispute is a commercial matter separate from their divorce, finalized in 2024 after a nearly decade-long process. A source close to Pitt told Page Six that his primary concern is preserving the vineyard’s value for their children’s inheritance, claiming that Jolie’s sale diminished this asset. Another insider described Jolie’s public statements as “unfortunate but not surprising,” suggesting the dispute is purely business-related.
The legal battle over Château Miraval continues to highlight the lingering emotional and financial scars of Jolie and Pitt’s high-profile separation. Married in 2014, the couple’s split in 2016 marked the beginning of a complex and deeply personal saga that continues to unfold, affecting not only the former couple but also their children, who remain at the heart of Jolie’s efforts to rebuild and move forward.
