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Angelina Jolie appears in good spirits as she is seen for the first time since being accused of 'playing games' with ex-husband Brad Pitt by trying to turn their kids against him

           Angelina Jolie looked in great spirits as she was seen out and about in Milan alongside film mates Pierfrancesco Favino and Alba Rohrwacher and director Pablo Larrìn on Monday. The appearance marks the first time the actress, 48, has been seen since those close to her ex-husband Brad Pitt accused her of 'playing games' to turn their children against him.  Friends of Brad opened up about the star's devastation over his estrangement from his three adopted children – and blamed his former wife who they claimed has carried out 'textbook parental alienation.'Yet Angelina was seen beaming as she stepped out of the car in the Italian city and seemed undeterred by any family upheaval. The academy award-winning actress cut a chic figure as she donned a black tailored coat which was adorned with pearl buttons.  The star's outfit couldn't be seen under the long black coat, but she looked to pair the outfit with some black boots while she wore her golden locks down loosely. Angelina was seen chatting to her film mates and the others in attendance seemingly unaware of the cameras. It has been an explosive time for the star recently after it was recently revealed that the couple's daughter Zahara no longer uses Pitt as her surname and their son Pax called his dad a 'world-class a-hole'. Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, and Zahara, 18 are all believed to be estranged from their adoptive father – with only his three biological children Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15, still seeing him as per a custody agreement. Earlier this month Zahara attended a sorority induction event at Spelman College in Atlanta and gave her name as Zahara Jolie rather than Zahara Jolie-Pitt which is her legal name. Both Maddox and Pax are said to also have dropped the Pitt name in informal contexts 'years ago.' Maddox, who has graduated from college in South Korea, is said to have not spoken to Brad since the incident on a private plane in 2016 which ended the Jolie-Pitt marriage and is apparently openly hostile, saying that he 'doesn't regard Brad as his father' any more. Last week, DailyMail.com told how a bombshell Instagram post from Pax had resurfaced where he called Brad a 'f***ing awful human being' and added: 'You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person. 'You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence.'You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you're incapable of doing so.' Friends of the former couple do not dispute that the teen made the comments, published on Pax's private Instagram account, but say that they were made over three years ago. Some claim that they shine a light on the  poisonous things their children have been told. One said: 'The publication of the Instagram is sad and frustrating because it does not make things any better. 'Even when what is said is bad for him, Brad would only ever respect the kids voices. He will never ever speak negatively about any of them and will almost never talk about them in public. 'There is no question that he would hit back at them.' The friend added: 'There is a feeling among their friends that the post is a perfect example of parental alienation – I mean this is a textbook demonstration of parental alienation. 'Brad's team think she has been playing these games for years but they do not want to get drawn into battle with her. 'There have been years and years of her telling and retelling the same poisonous things about him and the reality is that she has alienated the kids, and the reality is that it is upsetting to Brad. 'He cares about all of them. It is devastating.' A source from Angelina's side familiar with the matter said: 'Brad Pitt has nobody to blame but himself. All Angelina wants is to heal their family and move on, but he won't let her go.' Brad's friend added that custody of the six children now only involves the three youngest – Shiloh, who is 17 plus Knox and Vivienne, 15.These children are subject to a joint custody agreement which gives more time with Angelina than Brad.It has been reported that Brad has time with them at weekends and for extended periods during school holidays. Angelina has complained that she would like to relocate but that the family has to stay in America as its where Brad chooses to live.

 

source : Daily mail 

Inside the toxic Brangelina family feud: Brad Pitt's pals reveal his devastation at being estranged from his adopted children and blame Angelina Jolie for carrying out 'textbook parental alienation' after son called actor 'a f***ing awful human'

           Friends of Brad Pitt have spoken of his devastation over his estrangement from his three adopted children – and blame his former wife Angelina Jolie who they claim has carried out 'textbook parental alienation.' Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, and Zahara, 18 are all believed to be estranged from their adoptive father – with only his three biological children Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15, still seeing him as per a custody agreement. At the weekend Zahara attended a sorority induction event at Spelman College in Atlanta and gave her name as Zahara Jolie rather than Zahara Jolie-Pitt which is her legal name.Both Maddox and Pax are said to also have dropped the Pitt name in informal contexts 'years ago.' Maddox, who has graduated from college in South Korea, is said to have not spoken to Pitt since the incident on a private plane in 2016 which ended the Jolie-Pitt marriage and is apparently openly hostile, saying that he 'doesn't regard Brad as his father' any more. On Tuesday, DailyMail.com told how a bombshell Instagram post from Pax had resurfaced where he called Pitt a 'f***ing awful human being' and added: 'You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person. 'You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence.'You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you're incapable of doing so.' Friends of the former couple do not dispute that the teen made the comments, published on Pax's private Instagram account, but say that they were made over three years ago. Some claim that they shine a light on the poisonous things their children have been told. One said: 'The publication of the Instagram is sad and frustrating because it does not make things any better. 'Even when what is said is bad for him, Brad would only ever respect the kids voices. He will never ever speak negatively about any of them and will almost never talk about them in public. 'There is no question that he would hit back at them.' The friend added: 'There is a feeling among their friends that the post is a perfect example of parental alienation – I mean this is a textbook demonstration of parental alienation.'Brad's team think she has been playing these games for years but they do not want to get drawn into battle with her. 'There have been years and years of her telling and retelling the same poisonous things about him and the reality is that she has alienated the kids, and the reality is that it is upsetting to Brad. 'He cares about all of them. It is devastating.'
           A source from Jolie's side familiar with the matter said: 'Brad Pitt has nobody to blame but himself. All Angelina wants is to heal their family and move on, but he won't let her go.' Pitt's friend added that custody of the six children now only involves the three youngest – Shiloh, who is 17 plus Knox and Vivienne, 15. These children are subject to a joint custody agreement which gives more time with Jolie than Pitt.It has been reported that Pitt has time with them at weekends and for extended periods during school holidays. Jolie has complained that she would like to relocate but that the family has to stay in America as its where Pitt chooses to live.He's said to be on close terms with Shiloh, who is keen on dancing, and she has made some attempts to act the peacemaker between Pitt and her older siblings. In interviews last year while promoting the film Bullet Train he mused about his 'beautiful' girl who had grown up and talked about how talented she is at dance unlike 'Mr Two Left Feet here.' He also spoke of his admiration and love for Zahara and pride in her academic achievements. Friends of Jolie said that the family had been taken slightly by surprise by Zahara's move at the weekend, but pointed out that she and her mother are extremely close. One said: 'It was a very significant day for her and she let them know that that was what she wanted to do.' Zahara has been advising Angelina on her clothing range for the about-to-launch fashion venture, Atelier Jolie. She also came with her on a lobbying visit to Washington last year and was present at meetings with lawmakers where Jolie suggested various judicial reforms. Pax meanwhile is also involved in Atelier Jolie and has sketched the design for its logo. He and older brother Maddox have also been working with Jolie on the film Without Blood which she directed earlier this year in Europe. Both were handed jobs as assistant directors, according to People magazine although they are not credited on IMDB. Jolie commented: 'We work well together. When a film crew is at its best, it feels like a big family, so it feels natural.' A friend of Pitt's said: 'As far as custody goes the legal team continue to be patient it is just frustrating because people keep on focusing on wrong things. In terms of custody nothing has changed.' The pal added of Pitt, who has been dating jeweller Ines de Ramon for a year: 'He is doing great on many levels. People seem to be excited about the Formula One film and that is back in production. His film company Plan B is doing great. There are many things in his life which are good. Obviously they are not all good because of the family stuff. It is obviously very upsetting. He really cares about the kids.'
           The romance with Jolie always involved his potential role as the stepfather and father to her children. When they first met on the set of the film Mr and Mrs Brad Pitt, (and he was still married to Jennifer Aniston), he was introduced to Angelina Jolie's toddler son Maddox. At the time sources on the film said that Jolie would show up at Pitt's trailer and tell him: 'Maddox would like to say 'Hi.' Pitt, then 42, was enchanted – by the boy and his mother. Angelina Jolie had started her family in 2002. Having filmed Tomb Raider in Cambodia she decided that she wanted to adopt an orphaned Cambodian baby although her marriage to Billy Bob Thornton was already rocky. She later said: 'Our marriage was falling apart before I adopted and by the time Maddox came home, Billy and I were apart.' As the scandal over Brad's marriage break-up raged in 2004, she was spotted playing with Maddox in Central Park, looking the picture of loving motherhood.Adoption was the path chosen by Jolie. 'Having a child of my own would make me feel that there was a child out there who did not have a home because I had chosen to have a baby,' she told an interviewer in 2005. In that year she adopted Zahara, a baby from Ethiopia – aided by Brad Pitt. The last adoption came in 2007 when Pax, aged three joined the family. Pitt legally adopted all three. By the time Jolie was a mother, her own mother Marcheline Bertrand was engaged in a long and devastating battle with breast cancer. She died in 2007, aged 56, after being diagnosed in 1999. She was close to her mother but never to her father, who had left when she and brother James were young and had been unfaithful, leaving emotional scars on all of them. Voight, around the time she adopted Pax, begged her to seek help for the 'serious symptoms of real problems' he thought she showed. He added, bluntly: 'She has never been normal. She and Brad built perhaps the ultimate dysfunctional household for their six children. Both of them worked periodically, and the whole family spent years criss-crossing the globe. They settled at one time in New Orleans, and in France, and called a myriad of hotels a temporary home. Brad struggled with the relationship and the spotlight; he would drink heavily and said more than once that he would wake up still drunk from the previous night. His friend Quentin Tarantino alluded to his pot-smoking habit, which Jolie disapproved of. (He gave up alcohol in the wake of his split from Jolie).
           One hotel employee, Anna Kowalski, alleged that Angelina and Brad habitually slept in separate rooms as long ago as 2010 and had little to do with each other, with Angelina sitting alone drinking wine in the bedroom of the suite, and Brad sitting in another room with a beer.As the kids grew older, Jolie found a passion for charitable missions, and would bring them along. Zahara and Shiloh were taken to Ethiopia to scout locations for a medical centre, Maddox went to Iraq as a birthday treat. At home there were no rules, except that the children weren't encouraged to make any friends outside of the family circle – and the kids ruled the roost. For instance, from an early age, adopted son Maddox had an interest in guns and knives, and was reportedly bought a knife from a martial arts shop by his mother for his seventh birthday. Soon afterwards he drew a picture of a machine gun on her mother's day card – and Pitt apparently had the image made into a gold trinket to hang on a chain. Angelina said in an interview: 'He's all into war and guns. So for Mother's Day he drew a machine-gun, and Brad had it made into a necklace, which is really sweet. It's really cute.' She added: 'My mum took me to buy my first daggers when I was 11 or 12, and I've already bought Maddox some.' For a time Maddox liked to speak French, even though the rest of the family, with the exception of his mother and brother Pax, struggled with the language. Shiloh for some time only answered to the name of John and dressed in boy's clothes, including neckties and fedora hats. The habit arose because of her passion for the Peter Pan movie. One former nanny, who quit in despair, reportedly said that the children insisted on breakfasting on items like pizza or chocolate, and enjoyed a diet of junk food, particularly Cheetos. It was suggested that the nannies varied in number between six and nine, each having one child as their key responsibility. When Shiloh was three and Zahara five both would carry comfort blankies, even on a trip to the grocery store. As the marriage entered its final year, her brother James moved in with Angelina and Brad, having been hired as the chief nanny. He was her great support - who can forget their unsettling kiss on the Oscars red carpet in 2000 – and it is indicated that having James around stoked the tensions which ended the marriage.
           I was even told by one source that relations were so sour between the two men of the house that Brad used to make James fly economy when the rest of the family were in first class. Some magazines suggested that the younger children had fallen into the habit of calling James 'Dad' by the summer of 2016. And then came that shattering – and disputed – incident on a plane. In legal documents, Jolie said that Pitt hit and choked the children as well as attacking her, and punching the roof of the plane when drunk. At one point, it was claimed, he poured beer on his wife, while he also poured beer and red wine on the children. Pitt denies the claims. The allegations were investigated by the FBI at the time but no charges were brought Five days later, Jolie filed for divorce — just after the second anniversary of their wedding — requesting sole physical custody of the six children. A lawyer for Pitt said he had accepted responsibility for some things in his past but that he would not accept responsibility for things he did not do. Another source close to the actor dismissed Jolie's account as 'bulls***' and claimed her story was 'constantly evolving'. The source added: 'She continues to rehash, revise and reimagine her description of an event that happened six years ago by adding completely untrue information each time she fails to get what she wants.' Sources in the Pitt camp described the release of the information as a 'media stunt to inflict pain.' Since the split there has been years of court-appointed therapy for the children, who shuttle between their warring parents in their respective LA homes via chauffeur cars, accompanied by security. Angelina has primary custody, Pitt sees them for a certain number of hours on a school day, and every other day of weekends or holidays. Maddox, 15, at the time of the split, reportedly declined to see his father when a first meeting was brokered between Pitt and his children. 'He doesn't really see himself as Brad's son,' a source told US Weekly at the time. Another added more bluntly: 'He never wants to see Brad again.' As the divorce has dragged on, every issue involving the children has been a flashpoint. At one point in their judge issued a 'cellphone protocol' saying that Pitt needed to know the children's phone numbers so that he could speak to them or text them, without her intervening or supervising. Angelina was warned of serious consequences if she created a distance between him and the kids. There was also wrangling about the bona fides of experts and witnesses called during custody hearings. Its understood that Jolie wanted the children to testify about alleged domestic violence. The ruling did not go her way. Judge Oudekirk said her testimony: ' 'lacked credibility in many important areas, and the existing custody order between the parties must be modified, per Mr. Pitt's request, in the best interests of the children.' This was, though, overturned later as the judge had a business relationship with one of Pitt's attorneys which was found by the California appeal court in July 2021 to cast doubt on his impartiality. Pitt's lawyers decried the move as 'crafty.' There have been no further motions over custody since that point. The legal skirmishes now concern the sale of Jolie's share of the Miravel vineyard to the Stoli group. Last week, Pitt's lawyers were given the nod to proceed in a suit against Jolie for the sale. The war, then, continues.

    

source : Daily mail 

Angelina Jolie slams 'biased' judge in custody battle with Brad Pitt and urges Gov. Gavin Newsom to require domestic violence training for judges

          Angelina Jolie allegedly believes the judge overseeing her custody case was 'biased' toward her ex-husband, Brad Pitt - and now the actress is urging the governor of California to require domestic violence training for court professionals. In a two-page letter dated September 29, the 'Girl, Interrupted' actress urged Governor Gavin Newsom to back 'Piqui’s Law.' The bill would block children from going into 'reunification camps,' which force them to live with their abusive parent.It would also establish domestic violence training programs for judicial officers and mediators on the impact of child abuse and trauma. 'You will be aware that Piqui's Law derives its name from a 5-year-old boy who suffered a tragic fate, killed by his father in April of 2017,' Jolie wrote. 'Piqui's mother, Ana Estevez, fought unsuccessfully within the California family court to secure protection for her child. 'Over the past six years, Ana has collaborated with California legislators to ensure that authorities do not overlook or dismiss the signs of abuse, signs that tragically result in harm and death for numerous children in our country.'A source close to Jolie said the actress is pushing for the legislation following her experience with Los Angeles Judge John Ouderkirk, who refused to let her children testify about domestic violence they suffered at the hands of their father. Ouderkirk, a retired private judge who officiated the couple’s nuptials, ruled in May 2021 that the couple would maintain even-split custody of their children. 'This is personal to her, and for good reason,' the source said, citing her disagreements with 'biased' Ouderkirk, who was removed from the case after he failed to disclose his business dealings with Pitt’s attorneys. Jolie claimed Ouderkirk denied her children the opportunity to testify even though California law allowed children 14 years old and older to do so. She challenged the judge’s tentative custody decision and filed a petition in the appellate court to remove him from the case. He was disqualified in July 2021. 'Their whole family is a victim of system failure,' the source continued. 'She has been fighting privately for her family and publicly for other families for years.'  Sources close to Brad Pitt, however, told the New York Post that Jolie is trying to 'misrepresent the truth' and harm the reputation of those who testified against her. 'While the legislation she is supporting is potentially very viable, it has nothing to do with her custody case,' one source said. 'It is inexplicable why she would use her advocacy for another defamatory effort to disregard all the objective facts in order to advance her own interest.' Sources close to the 'World War Z' actor's legal team also claimed the decision to remove Ouderkirk was based on a 'technical procedure' and had nothing to do with facts related to the case.
         They denied that the judge was in business 'with anyone.' Jolie fought to keep custody of the children after a 2016 altercation detailed in an FBI report. Pitt, who had been drinking, 'grabbed her by the head, shaking her' and shook Jolie by the shoulders as they argued over one of their kids during a private flight to France.According to Jolie, Pitt said, 'You're f***ing up this family!' and punched the ceiling four times. When the children asked if she was okay, Pitt said: 'No, she’s not okay, she’s ruining this family, she’s crazy.' One of the children then yelled, 'It’s not her, it’s you, you p***k!' before Pitt allegedly charged at the child. Jolie held him back, causing injuries to her back and elbow, the report alleged. The actress filed for divorce six days later, but the FBI did not pursue charges against Pitt.A source close to Jolie said Pitt had 'not ever denied his abusive behavior' and added: 'If this happened to Jolie in her court case, just imagine what is happening all over the country.' However, a source close to Pitt said the actor has admitted his wrongdoing in regards to the plane fiasco, but reiterated that no charges were filed against him. 'Those FBI reports were introduced into evidence in the custody hearing, where he was still granted 50/50 custody,' the source said. 'Anyone who testified or argued against her, she has tried to destroy. These defamatory comments against Judge Ouderkirk are demonstrably false, and she has even gone after a child evaluator who testified in the case.' 'Piqui's Law,' formally known as Senate Bill 331, passed the California legislature on September 15 and now awaits Newsom's signature to take full effect. It is named after Aramazd Andressian Jr., a 5-year-old boy who was killed by his father after a trip to Disneyland in 2017. The boy’s mother, Ana Estevez, warned officials that his father was dangerous as she tried to divorce him. The man, however, was granted joint custody of their son, and the judge allowed him to take the boy affectionately called 'Piqui' on vacation.Initially, he claimed that his son had been abducted - but months later, he led police to the spot where he had been buried in a wooded area near Santa Barbara. Activists gathered on the steps outside Pasadena City Hall on September 18, urging Newsom to support the bill.The governor has until October 14 to sign or veto it. If he takes no action, SB-331 becomes law on January 1.

  

source : Daily mail youtube

Brangelina peace talks! Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie agree to try to settle bitter $350 million legal war over their French vineyard outside of court

         The war between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has been the longest — and bitterest — celebrity divorce in living memory. But only a fortnight after a legal filing which accused Pitt of bullying and illegal behaviour over the vineyard they co-owned, it can be revealed that peace — yes, peace — could at last be on the horizon. For both Pitt, 59 and Jolie, 48, have agreed to mediation which could settle their beef.Documents filed last week in the vineyard dispute show that both stars have agreed to mediation as an alternative method of dispute resolution over Chateau Miraval — rather than the matter going to court. Jolie has also said that she's willing to take part in a settlement conference.What's more, it can be revealed that Pitt has appointed a 'provisional administrator' to Chateau Miraval in a bid to resolve the war between himself and the Russians Jolie sold her share of the vineyard to. That transaction sparked the current imbroglio. The move, at Pitt's suggestion, aims to protect the highly successful wine business which he has helped to build, in conjunction with French wine-makers Famille Perrin. It will see an independent figure come in to assess the winery and how it is run and (it is hoped), in time, facilitate negotiations between Pitt and Nouvel — the investment company his ex sold to Stoli boss Yuri Shefler. A French source confirms the move, saying: 'In view of the dispute between Nouvel LLC (controlled by Stoli boss Yuri Shefler) and Mondo Bongo LLC (controlled by Brad Pitt), Chateau Miraval and its director have requested and obtained the appointment of a provisional administrator by the Draguignan (France) Commercial Court, to enable the company and its director to continue to grow the business and its essential partnership with the Perrin Family until such dispute is resolved, in the interests of Château Miraval, its directors, employees, partners and subsidiaries.' Pitt and Jolie purchased Chateau Miraval, a 1300-acre estate in the south of France, in 2008. In 2013 they started a wine-making business there with the Perrin family — leading producers of organic wine from the Southern Rhone Valley. The couple were even married at the property in 2014. The wine side of things was an almost immediate hit, with Chateau Miraval Rose being ranked the best in the world by many experts (including Wine Spectator magazine). Profits grew from around €1 million in 2013 to around €15 million in 2022.
         But in 2016, after an incident between Pitt, Jolie and their children on a plane trip from France to California, Jolie filed for divorce. There have been skirmishes ever since — over custody of the kids, and money. In April 2019 the divorce was 'bifurcated' — a move which dissolves the marriage while allowing other disputes to rage on. In 2022 Pitt launched legal action against Jolie for selling her interest in Chateau Miravel to Russian oligarch Shefler. He had hoped to buy her out himself, and is now seeking to have the sale reversed.Meanwhile, lawyers for Nouvel claimed two weeks ago that Pitt had been 'looting' the wine business and using it as his 'personal cashbox' for 'vanity projects'. They are seeking $350 million in damages. Pitt, now dating businesswoman Ines de Ramon, has been in the UK this summer, filming racing drama Apex, but with the actors strike, he is now understood to have moved on. The star was described in the earlier court filing as a 'bully' who has acted emotionally, irrationally and 'ultimately illegally' over the vineyard where he and Jolie were married. It was said by lawyers for Nouvel that Jolie had to sell the business because after the drunken row on a private plane which ended their marriage in 2016, she was 'uncomfortable' being involved in the sale of alcohol.The filing alleged that their six children were so traumatised by that incident on the plane – described in full, riveting detail - that they have not been able to go back to Chateau Miraval since. The documents alleged that Pitt had run a 'gaslighting' campaign which suggested that the image of the brand was damaged by its association with Yuri Shefler of Stoli, who bought Jolie's share. In point of fact, wrote Nouvel's lawyers, the risk of damage to the brand came from Pitt's own tarnished image. Pitt was bluntly invited to 'look in the mirror.' Pitt stood accused of using a deal with Jolie over the asset as 'leverage' by offering her 'poison pill' terms in a tit for tat after she filed allegations of domestic abuse during their custody battle. It was also said in the filing that the Chateau Miraval company made no repayment of $40 million of loans and that Jolie sought to sell the company in order to 'achieve liquidity' – an astonishing assertion given her long and successful career in Hollywood.

 

source : Daily Mail   youtube  

Inside Brad and Angelina's bitter legal battle over Chateau Miraval winery - as actress sells her share to Russian billionaire: Pitt tried making Jolie sign NDA before divorce talks broke down and she sold $67m stake in winery, report says

          Shocking new details have been revealed about Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's seemingly never-ending legal battles stemming from their acrimonious 2016 split. In a new article for Vanity Fair's July/August edition, special correspondent Mark Seal delved into Brangelina's dispute over their once-beloved French winery, Chateau Miraval. The couple bought the vineyard in 2008 for around 25 million Euros and became 50/50 owners of the property as well as its wine making enterprise. Among those who spoke to Vanity Fair are the couple's former head of security, winemakers, real estate brokers and others with intimate knowledge of the couple's time in the south of France. The report notes that in 2021, Jolie, 47, and Pitt, 58, appeared to have come to an agreement in which he would purchase her half of the business. The deal stalled when Pitt tried to insert an NDA that would prevent the Maleficent star from publicly talking about their infamous argument in front of their kids on a private jet in 2016, according to the Vanity Fair piece. Representatives for Pitt have maintained that in fact it was Jolie who first broached the idea of an NDA, when the 12 Monkeys star began negotiating about the contents of the agreement, that's when Jolie backed away from the deal. DailyMail.com has reached out to Angelina Jolie's representatives for comment on this story.  Not long afterwards, Jolie sold her share to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, who has been designated as an 'oligarch' by the US Treasury Department. Pitt and Jolie met in 2005 on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith, playing a bored married couple who discover they are both assassins hired by competing agencies to kill one another.They married at Chateau Miraval in 2014 and parented six kids – three biological and three adopted – who are now aged between 14 and 21. The Vanity Fair piece notes that cracks began appearing in the marriage in 2015. Those tensions reached boiling point as the family were returning to the US from Chateau Miraval in 2016. 'By September 14, 2016, tensions between and had been boiling for about a year. They tried to keep their arguments between themselves and had made a point to never argue in front of the children. Until the plane,' Seal wrote. The couple's head of security Gary Bradbury told the magazine that in 15 years working Pitt, he never saw him drunk. On the day of the flight from Nice, France, to Los Angeles that included a refueling stop in Minnesota, Pitt was 'drinking quite a bit.' 'Brad was drinking, and the confrontation got out of hand. He was absolutely wrong in how he behaved but immediately apologized and acknowledged that he had crossed a line,' another source said. 'He will always regret [it], and right away took steps to address this and try to make amends,' the source added. Following the incident, Pitt became sober.   Jolie filed for divorce shortly after that incident and a long legal battle, primarily over the custody of their six children, ensued.The pair were also in dispute over the fate their Chateau Miraval property.
         When it looked as though an agreement was in place, Jolie pulled back when she learned about the NDA. Vanity Fair quotes a source close to Pitt alleging that the NDA was just related to the winery 'to ensure the seller doesn’t damage the value of the asset after being paid for it.' Pitt alleged, through lawyers, that the real reason Jolie walked away from the deal was because she was angry about separate custody ruling which had granted him more access. Jolie's lawyers also sought to correct an unfair depiction of her role in the success of the wine brand during their ownership, claiming she had invested $60 million into the company. A Pitt-related source said her investment was more like $38 million.  It was earlier reported that Pitt learned that estranged wife had sold half of their property and business to a 'Russian oligarch' from a press release. The couple had a 'mutual and binding commitment' to the $160 million Chateau Miraval business and agreed not to sell up without the other's permission. According to Vanity Fair, Jolie says that 'no such agreement ever existed.' Pitt discovered his ex-wife had 'secretly' sold her 50 percent stake when a 2021 press release announced that he had new business partners, according to the actor's lawyers. The buyer was part of a 'Russia-affiliated' vodka conglomerate headed by Shefler, who would use his new relationship with the A-lister to enhance and improve his reputation, court filings alleged. 'For Jolie, the sale was a business transaction she had every right to make. ‘In an effort to preserve her own mental health and well-being, she looked for and found what she believed would be a good business partner for Pitt,' a source told Vanity Fair.While Pitt saw the sale as a 'betrayal.''It is not a coincidence that she sold her interest in Miraval to an adversarial party, and part of the family home to a stranger, right after a judge granted a huge win: 50-50 custody,' a source close to Pitt told Vanity Fair. The Fight Club star attempted to fight Jolie's sale to Shefler. By selling instead to Shefler, Jolie linked the Chateau Miraval to Russia and Vladimir Putin - hurting the brand perhaps irreparably, Pitt alleges. In a counterclaim Jolie accused Pitt of forcing her into selling to his company, Mondo Bongo, and spreading lies that Shefler's connections and dealings with the Kremlin.
         Pitt was further accused of hiding assets and using profits from the wine on a swimming pool and ornate staircase that was rebuilt multiple times.  'The only thing that Jolie's Cross-Complaint gets right is that she and Pitt purchased Château Miraval as a 'loving home for their six children,' Pitt's lawyers protested in documents filed in 2022. 'As set forth in Plaintiffs' Second Amended Complaint, Pitt and Jolie had a mutual and binding commitment, reflected by their conduct and statements to one another over time, that they would hold Miraval together and, if the time came, that they would sell their interests separately only with the other's consent.'The filing said Pitt trusted Jolie and thus 'devoted his time and his resources to renovating the estate and building a highly successful wine business.''Jolie, though supportive of Pitt's efforts on behalf of the family, did none of the work necessary for Miraval's success,' the filing goes on.'Instead, she allowed Pitt to pour money and sweat equity into the business in reliance on her promise to hold Miraval together, as well as the contractual rights her holding company Nouvel owed his. By the time of their separation, Pitt's investment exceeded Jolie's by nearly $50 million.' The legal battle apparently continues to this day, with French authorities investigating the business, report VF. The Vanity Fair article ends by noting that since September 2016, nobody from either Pitt or Jolie families have returned to stay at the property.

 source : Daily Mail   youtube  

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