The legal battle between Hollywood stars Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie continues to intensify, with Pitt accusing Jolie of withholding critical emails in their ongoing feud over the sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval. The French winery, once a symbol of their partnership, has now become the epicenter of a contentious legal dispute that has captured global attention.
Brad Pitt Demands Access to Withheld Emails
According to court documents, Pitt, 60, has requested a Los Angeles judge to compel Jolie, 49, to produce hundreds of emails that she allegedly refused to hand over. These emails, according to Pitt’s legal team, are crucial to uncovering the truth behind Jolie’s sale of her stake in Chateau Miraval to the Stoli Group, owned by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler.
“In a last-ditch attempt to suppress the truth about her wrongful sale to the Stoli Parties, [Angelina] has withheld hundreds of emails she exchanged with her inner circle,” Pitt alleged in his court filing.
The legal filing claims that 126 of these withheld communications do not involve attorneys and therefore cannot be protected under attorney-client privilege. These include emails exchanged with Jolie’s business manager, wine consultant, finance advisors, and personal assistants.
Angelina Jolie Accused of Stonewalling
Pitt’s team stated that they initially requested the documents more than two years ago but encountered repeated delays. While Jolie reportedly agreed to share the documents in the summer of 2023, Pitt’s legal counsel has alleged that her compliance was incomplete.
“[Angelina] claims that all of her team’s other internal communications on this subject are protected by the attorney-client privilege,” Pitt’s attorney stated. “This wildly overbroad assertion of privilege… cannot justify her near-complete cover-up of this critically important discovery.”
Pitt has demanded that the judge order Jolie to release the remaining emails, arguing that the communications are critical to understanding the circumstances surrounding the sale.
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The Chateau Miraval Saga: A Business Turned Battlefield
Chateau Miraval, a sprawling estate and winery in the south of France, was purchased by Pitt and Jolie during their marriage. The couple initially envisioned the property as a family business to be passed down to their six children.
Pitt claims he invested substantial time and money to transform the winery into a highly profitable venture. However, the project became a point of contention following their high-profile split in 2016.
In 2021, Jolie informed Pitt via email that she intended to sell her stake in the winery. Despite negotiations, Pitt alleges that Jolie withdrew from discussions and sold her 50% share to Stoli Group for $64 million—$10 million more than Pitt had reportedly offered.
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Disputed Agreements and Allegations of Hostile Takeover
At the heart of Pitt’s lawsuit is the claim that Jolie violated an agreement requiring mutual consent before selling her stake in the business. Jolie has contested this, asserting that no such agreement existed.
Pitt has further accused Stoli Group of attempting a hostile takeover of the winery after acquiring Jolie’s stake. He claims that this has disrupted Miraval’s operations and jeopardized its reputation as a premium wine producer.
Conversely, Nouvel, the company that previously held Jolie’s shares, has filed a countersuit against Pitt for $350 million. The countersuit alleges that Pitt misused company assets for vanity projects, claims which he has strongly denied.
Why Chateau Miraval Matters
Chateau Miraval holds both financial and sentimental value for Pitt and Jolie. The estate was not only a business venture but also the site of their 2014 wedding. The property’s luxurious surroundings and renowned rosé wine have made it a significant source of income.
For Pitt, the battle over Miraval is as much about protecting the brand as it is about preserving the legacy he helped build.
What’s Next in the Legal Battle?
With both parties refusing to back down, the legal feud shows no signs of resolution. Jolie’s legal team has yet to comment on Pitt’s latest accusations. Meanwhile, Pitt’s demand for transparency underscores the high stakes of the dispute.
The ongoing litigation could result in significant financial and reputational consequences for both actors. For now, all eyes are on the Los Angeles court as the battle over Chateau Miraval reaches new heights.
The feud between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has evolved beyond a celebrity divorce into a cautionary tale about business partnerships between couples. With accusations of withheld evidence, breached agreements, and corporate meddling, their story highlights the complexities of untangling shared ventures after a split.
As the legal drama unfolds, one thing is clear: the stakes are not just about the millions tied to Chateau Miraval but also about protecting legacies, reputations, and deeply personal investments. Fans and legal experts alike will be closely watching the next chapter of this high-profile dispute.