LOS ANGELES — Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, putting to rest one of the most protracted and contentious divorce battles in Hollywood history. The Los Angeles Superior Court, under Judge Scott J. Nord, approved the agreement on March 18, 2025, just one day after Jolie and Pitt officially signed it.
According to Jolie's attorney, James Simon, the legal saga began more than eight years ago when the actress filed for divorce amid claims of physical abuse during a private jet flight from Europe. Jolie, now 49, and Pitt, 61, were one of Hollywood's most iconic couples for 12 years, with their marriage lasting only two years.
"More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt," Simon stated. "She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since then, she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family. This is just one part of a long, continuing process. Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over." While the filing presented details about their rights to future spousal financial support, it kept other specifics under wraps.
The couple's tumultuous divorce process saw numerous developments, including official investigations by the FBI and child services concerning the alleged abuse during the flight. Two months after the incident, the FBI concluded their investigation, stating they would not pursue charges against Pitt. A heavily redacted FBI report from 2022 indicated some form of probable cause was established but did not lead to any criminal actions.
Relatedly, child services investigated the allegations but eventually closed their inquiry without substantiations of abuse. A judge had declared Jolie and Pitt divorced and single back in 2019, but the division of their assets and child custody remained unresolved. While they had six children together, four of whom became adults during the protracted divorce, the custody arrangements for their minor twins, Knox and Vivienne, still required the court's oversight.
Recently, one of their daughters, formerly known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt, successfully petitioned to remove Pitt's name from hers, indicating the family's shifting dynamics. The agreement also included stipulations barring any future claims for spousal support, with the court maintaining jurisdiction over child custody, per standard California practices.
One of the unresolved issues is Pitt's lawsuit concerning Jolie's sale of her half of their French winery, Chateau Miraval. Pitt claims Jolie's actions to sell her stake to the Tenute del Mondo wine group were vindictive, as he sought to acquire her share himself. The lawsuit argues Jolie acted unlawfully without his consent, infringing on what he describes as their private escape.
Jolie and her attorneys have countered these claims, arguing Pitt demanded she enter sweeping non-disclosure agreements about him as part of their negotiations, which they assert were attempts to suppress allegations of his abusive behavior during their marriage.
Despite their tumultuous history, both Jolie and Pitt have maintained relatively tight lips on public matters relating to their divorce. Pitt has openly discussed his struggles with alcohol, admitting to having issues during their separation, though he featured prominently on the industry A-list following the split, winning another Academy Award for "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood".
On the contrary, Jolie opted for less visibility; she has directed films and has returned to the Oscar conversation this year for her role as the famed soprano Maria Callas.
Their tumultuous public relationship began back in 2004 when Jolie and Pitt starred together in the action-comedy film "Mr. and Mrs. Smith." The chemistry they showcased lit up the box office and led to passionate speculation about their off-screen relationship.
Although both Jolie and Pitt have moved on to pursue their individual careers after their marriage, the emotional and legal fallout appears to linger. The lengthy timeline of their divorce showcased not just the pitfalls of their personal lives but also the complicated interplay of family, celebrity life, and legal battles.
Angelina Jolie, who has continuously emphasized the need for healing for herself and her children, faces the future cautiously, as does Pitt, who has embraced sobriety and claimed to prioritize family. "Hell, I don't even recognize myself. Sobriety was the best decision I ever made, and therapy helped me too," Pitt once reflected. This public statement may shed some light on the complex emotions stemming from their relationship's dissolution.
The couple’s troubled relationship reflects not just personal struggles but the turmoil faced by many public figures when grappling with separation amid intense scrutiny. Now, as they move to conclude this chapter of their lives and re-establish their future, both actors seem to be focusing on their children and healing, albeit amid the legal remnants of their split.
