In a development that seems to mark the end of one of Hollywood’s most tumultuous splits, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a settlement in their divorce case, nearly eight years after Jolie first filed. The news was confirmed by Jolie’s lawyer in a statement on Monday.
The high-profile couple, once dubbed “Brangelina” by the media, separated in September 2016 after two years of marriage and a decade together. Jolie cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce filing.
A Contentious Split
What followed was a bitter and highly publicized divorce battle that dragged on for years. The couple, who have six children together, initially reached a custody agreement in late 2018. However, that deal fell apart and the dispute over custody and financial issues raged on.
A major point of contention was an alleged altercation between Pitt and the couple’s oldest son Maddox during a flight in 2016. Jolie claimed that Pitt was abusive toward her and their children during the incident, which Pitt denied. This event is what reportedly led Jolie to file for divorce.
Private Judge Controversy
In an attempt to keep the proceedings private, Jolie and Pitt hired a private judge to handle their divorce, as many celebrity couples do. However, in 2020, Jolie asked for the private judge to be removed over alleged business ties to Pitt’s attorneys. An appeals court sided with Jolie and the private judge was disqualified in 2021, further delaying the process.
Battle Over French Winery
Financial issues, including the division of their assets, proved to be another major roadblock. In particular, the fate of the couple’s French winery, Château Miraval, became a sticking point. Pitt sued Jolie, accusing her of improperly selling her stake in the winery without his consent. The outcome of that lawsuit is unclear in light of the divorce settlement.
Aftermath and New Beginning
In her lawyer’s statement, it was noted that Jolie is “exhausted” from the lengthy process but “relieved” to have this chapter closed. The statement emphasized that for Jolie, the divorce was just one part of a long journey to find “peace and healing” for their family after she and the children left the home they shared with Pitt.
“Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over,” her attorney said.
While the terms of the settlement have not been disclosed, it seems both sides were finally able to find a compromise to avoid taking the case to trial. For a couple whose romance and break-up made countless headlines over the years, hopefully this resolution will allow them to move forward and focus on co-parenting their children out of the harsh media spotlight.
As for what’s next for Jolie and Pitt individually, both have remained active in their film careers amidst the divorce drama. Jolie recently starred in the thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead” and directed the drama “First They Killed My Father.” Pitt won his first acting Oscar in 2020 for his role in “Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood” and will next star in the highly anticipated film “Babylon.”
While the Jolie-Pitt divorce saga may have finally reached its conclusion, its impact on how celebrity splits play out in the public eye, and how child custody is determined in high-conflict cases, is likely to be felt in Hollywood and beyond for years to come. For now though, after a long and painful journey, it seems Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are ready to open a new chapter, separately.
