In a now-iconic 60-page photo spread in the July 2005 issue of W Magazine, Hollywood power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie were depicted as the epitome of domestic bliss. Nearly 19 years later, the once-glamorous duo finds themselves embroiled in a bitter legal battle that shows no signs of resolution.
The couple, affectionately known as Brangelina, has been at odds since 2016 when Jolie filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce proceedings have been marred by a contentious custody trial, fallout from a 2016 incident on a private plane, and a complicated legal dispute over the couple’s shared ownership of the French winery, Château Miraval.
Pitt and Jolie, once known for their photogenic love story, are now entrenched in a complex legal drama that has left their family fractured. Despite the ongoing feud, a source close to Pitt told CNN that the actor “loves his family” and only wants what is best for them, even though the situation is extremely upsetting.
The heart of the legal battle between Pitt and Jolie lies in the incident that occurred on the private plane in September 2016. Details surrounding the alleged altercation emerged in 2022, with Jolie accusing Pitt of physical assault and verbal abuse towards her and their children. Pitt denied the allegations and has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The couple’s custody arrangement has evolved over the years, with a 2021 ruling granting Pitt temporary joint custody of their children. However, Jolie appealed the decision, leading to a California appeals court disqualifying the judge overseeing the case. Jolie now retains primary custody, with Pitt’s access to their children becoming increasingly limited.
Despite being declared legally single in 2019 through a bifurcated judgment, Pitt and Jolie’s divorce proceedings have dragged on, with their ongoing legal battles over Château Miraval further complicating the situation. New York attorney Sophie Jacobi-Parisi described the drawn-out divorce as “unusual” and exacerbated by the couple’s high-profile status and financial resources.
As Pitt and Jolie continue to navigate their tumultuous divorce, the future remains uncertain for the once-beloved Hollywood couple. Their legal saga serves as a cautionary tale of the complexities that can arise when love turns to litigation.
