After nearly eight years of legal disputes, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have finally reached a settlement agreement to finalize their divorce, bringing closure to one of the most publicized and protracted celebrity separations in Hollywood history.
According to Jolie’s attorney, James Simon, the actress is "exhausted but relieved this phase is over." The legal saga began when Jolie filed for divorce back in September 2016, following allegations of Pitt’s violent behavior toward her and their children during a private flight. The couple, once deemed the golden couple of Hollywood, became embroiled in extensive legal battles around child custody and financial arrangements.
The couple, who first met on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith and married at their renowned Chateau Miraval estate, have six children together: Maddox (23), Pax (21), Zahara (19), Shiloh (18), and twins Knox and Vivienne (16). The children have played significant roles throughout the divorce proceedings, with some reportedly opting to drop Pitt’s surname from their own.
Despite the couple's separation being formalized with the court declaring them "legally single" as of 2019, resolution on custody arrangements and asset divisions remained elusive. A contentious factor has been the couple's shared winery; the Chateau Miraval estate, worth $164 million, remains the subject of legal disputes, exacerbated by Jolie's sale of her stake to the Stoli Group without consent from Pitt.
While some of their children have expressed frustration over the prolonged legal turmoil, insiders indicate they are more focused on healing now after the divorce terms have been settled. A source close to Pitt noted, "Jolie’s unilateral attacks caused collateral damage" to the family dynamic, illustrating the tension felt both inside and outside their household.
Insiders have also suggested it was Pitt's new partner, who encouraged him to finalize the divorce, wanting to build a future free from the shadows of their tumultuous past. After years of public scrutiny and emotional challenges, the family is now ready to forge pathways toward reconciliation.
Throughout their tumultuous divorce process, Jolie has remained focused on securing peaceful resolutions and prioritizing the well-being of their children. Her attorney noted, "She wants to focus on finding peace and healing for her family" and has worked diligently to shield her children from the media spotlight.
Pitt’s emotional response to the prolonged separation was framed through reports of distance from some of his older children, who have chosen to distance themselves from him. Pitt has reportedly been heartbroken by this estrangement, claiming, "It pains him to be away from the kids he loves dearly. He's very sad." It’s clear this situation weighs heavily on both parents.
After reaching this agreement, the couple hopes to establish more effective co-parenting arrangements, putting aside past conflicts to focus on their children’s futures. The divorce marked the end of a chapter, yet it signifies the continuing responsibilities they share as parents.
Although the legal entanglements are concluding, the couple's shared history and the dynamics with their children will undoubtedly create lasting impacts as they attempt to navigate this new chapter post-divorce.
This truce between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie heralds what they both hope will be brighter days, focusing on the healing process for themselves and their family.