Nearly a decade after Angelina Jolie first filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, the Oscar-winning actress is still navigating the emotional and legal aftermath of one of Hollywood’s most publicized separations. While their divorce was legally finalized in 2024, new court filings reveal the lingering complexity of their ongoing dispute over Château Miraval — the couple’s once-idyllic French estate turned symbol of their fractured past.
In a recent court document obtained by Page Six, Jolie described the period surrounding her separation as “emotionally difficult and traumatic,” shedding light on the toll the split took on both her and her six children. “The events leading to my need to separate from my ex-husband were emotionally difficult for me and our children,” Jolie wrote. “Upon filing for divorce, I left him control (and full residency) of our family homes in Los Angeles and at Miraval, without compensation, which I hoped would make him calmer in his dealings with me after a difficult and traumatic period.”
The filing marks one of Jolie’s most candid public statements in years, revealing how the Maleficent star sought to prioritize peace over possessions. She went on to note that she and her children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne — have “never again set foot” at the Miraval estate since the divorce, citing its connection to painful memories.
Jolie and Pitt’s relationship spanned more than a decade and was once considered Hollywood’s golden romance. The pair met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004, married in 2014, and built a life that blended family, artistry, and philanthropy. Their 1,000-acre Miraval estate in the south of France, purchased in 2008, served as both a family retreat and the site of their 2014 wedding. However, in the years following their split, it has become a focal point of prolonged legal conflict.
The recent filing revisits the business dispute that emerged after Jolie sold her shares of the estate’s winery to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, in 2021. Pitt subsequently sued, alleging that she sold her stake without his consent. Jolie countered, arguing she had every legal right to sell and asserting that the transaction was necessary for financial stability after leaving their shared homes and declining professional work to focus on her children’s well-being. “My savings were tied up in Miraval,” she stated, explaining that she never sought financial support or alimony from Pitt following their separation.
Behind the legal jargon lies a deeply human story of endurance. Jolie disclosed that, during the years following her divorce, she stepped back from major film projects to care for her children and aid in their emotional recovery. “I was very concerned about the health of our children,” she said, noting that she declined work opportunities for nearly two years to ensure stability and healing within her family.
Her attorney, James Simon, echoed that sentiment in a statement to CNN: “More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt. She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long ongoing process that started eight years ago. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”
The Miraval dispute is only one chapter in what has been a long, painful legal journey. Jolie has previously accused Pitt of verbal and physical abuse during a 2016 flight, an incident she says ultimately led her to file for divorce. Pitt has denied the allegations, but the episode remains at the center of their fractured relationship. Jolie’s legal team maintains that Pitt’s initial offer to buy her out of the winery included a nondisclosure agreement designed to silence her about the alleged misconduct — a term she refused to accept.
Though both stars have largely avoided public comment over the years, the new filing underscores the emotional residue that fame and legal battles cannot obscure. It paints a picture of a mother who made choices rooted in survival, not scandal — a woman prioritizing her children’s stability over financial comfort or public perception.
Meanwhile, Pitt appears to be focusing on rebuilding his professional life, with upcoming film projects and an expanding design business. In a recent GQ interview, when asked about the legal finalization of his divorce, he responded matter-of-factly: “No, I don’t think it was that major of a thing. Just something coming to fruition. Legally.” The contrast in tone between the two ex-spouses — Jolie’s exhaustion and Pitt’s detachment — reflects just how differently they’ve processed the end of their relationship.
As of now, Jolie is seeking $33,000 in compensation for legal fees related to Pitt’s ongoing motions regarding her sale of Miraval shares. The case continues, but for Jolie, this chapter seems less about litigation and more about liberation. Her filings suggest a woman who has long since moved on emotionally, even if the legal system has not.
For the actress, director, and humanitarian, this moment feels like a quiet reckoning — not one of defeat, but of resolve. After years of public scrutiny, Jolie’s focus has returned to her children, her advocacy work, and her creative pursuits. And while the shadow of Miraval may linger in court documents, it no longer defines her story.
Because for Angelina Jolie, peace — not property — has always been the real victory.
