Brad Pitt’s Lawyers Accuse Angelina Jolie of Taking ‘Far More Than She Put Into’ Winery
The Hollywood exes continue to disagree over the sale and ownership of their French winery and estate, Château Miraval
Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images for RFF; Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s dispute over the sale and ownership of their French winery and estate Château Miraval remains ongoing after a new court hearing.
On Monday, attorneys for both parties appeared in a Los Angeles County Superior courtroom — where The Messenger was also present — as a judge asked for new case management statements.
Jolie’s attorney began the hearing, arguing against the tentative ruling of allowing the lawsuit to go forward by stating there was no date on the contract, as well as highlighting statute of frauds. Pitt’s side, however, said the judge shouldn’t change a thing in the temporary order regarding the demurrer, with his attorney calling the alcohol brand a “family-centered vision.”
Things took another turn when Pitt’s team claimed that Jolie sold her share to a “complete stranger” who “showed up unannounced” into this.
“This was and is Mr. Pitt’s passion,” Pitt’s attorney argued, and Jolie “took far more than she put into” the business.
Although Jolie’s lawyers wanted to speak again, the judge concluded the hearing.
After court was adjourned, one of Jolie’s attorneys, Paul D. Murphy, said he had “no comment” on the hearing before adding, “We’re going to let the judge decide what she wants to do.” Pitt’s lawyers also had no comment.
Since the former couple’s 2016 divorce was announced, Jolie’s 50 percent interest in Miraval has been sold to spirits conglomerate, Stoli. Attorneys for Pitt are arguing the sale was never valid, adding that when they purchased the Château together, they decided not to sell before agreeing together on the move.
Jolie later filed a countersuit and said they never agreed on that. She alleged in court documents that she sold a part of the winery in order to gain “financial independence” from her ex. She added that the move was to help her “have some form of peace and closure.”
March 15, 2024, has been selected as the next hearing for a cross-complaint, although the case could be handled prior to that date.
