Brad Pitt has intensified his ongoing legal conflict with ex-wife Angelina Jolie by seeking private communications linked to their shared winery dispute. Despite finalizing their divorce in December after eight years, the former couple remains embroiled in disagreements over Château Miraval, the French winery they once co-owned. Pitt is pushing for information to clarify circumstances around the contentious sale of the property that Jolie executed in 2021.
On June 30, Pitt filed court documents requesting the deposition of Alexey Oliynik, an employee of the Stoli Group, the alcohol brand that acquired the winery‘s owner, Tenute del Mondo. Pitt alleges in his filing that Oliynik possesses firsthand evidence concerning the sale, which Jolie conducted despite Pitt’s opposition.
The actor claims Oliynik has withheld important documents relevant to the transaction, which Pitt believes are critical to understanding Jolie’s intentions during the sale process.
These requests go directly to key allegations about Pitt’s objections to the sale,
the court motion states. It continues that the request to depose Oliynik satisfies
the standard for discoverability given Pitt’s allegations that Jolie acted with malice in selling to Stoli, a counterparty she knew Pitt opposed.
The latest filing builds on a legal battle that began three years ago, following Pitt’s original 2022 lawsuit accusing Jolie of vindictively selling their former estate. Jolie has responded with a countersuit, claiming she sold the winery because Pitt sought to have her sign an NDA that would silence her from discussing a 2016 incident involving Pitt’s alleged abuse toward family members.
During the couple’s prolonged divorce proceedings, Pitt admitted to struggling with alcohol abuse and noted his sobriety. His legal team disputed Jolie’s claims, with a spokesperson stating to NBC News in 2022 that
Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for from day one—unlike the other side—but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do.
In addition to this deposition request, Pitt previously secured a court order in April requiring Jolie to produce eight years’ worth of nondisclosure agreements. Jolie’s representatives complied while insisting that Pitt’s NDA demands aimed at concealing misconduct were unjustified. Her lawyer Paul Murphy explained,
Common NDAs are simply not comparable to Mr. Pitt’s last-second demand to try and cover up his personal misconduct,
adding the court’s decision
acknowledged that the only potential relevance is to the unconscionability of Mr. Pitt’s conduct, a now confirmed key issue in this case.
Maddox’s Journey from Cambodia to Film Production
Angelina Jolie’s eldest child, Maddox, was born on August 5, 2001, and was adopted from Cambodia after Jolie’s visit to an orphanage in Battambang while filming Tomb Raider. Jolie recalled feeling no connection with other children until she saw Maddox in a box hanging from the ceiling, an instant bond that moved her deeply. Initially a single mother, Jolie later saw Brad Pitt adopt Maddox after their relationship began.
Inspired by his mother’s dedication to Cambodian stories, Maddox took on the role of executive producer for Jolie’s 2017 film adaptation of Loung Ung’s memoir, First They Killed My Father. As Maddox shared with People magazine,
I was trying to help wherever I could,
and he described his mother as
fun, funny, and easy to work with… She’s a wonder.
After studying biochemistry at South Korea’s Yonsei University—a decision Jolie celebrated—Maddox attended a White House state dinner in April 2023, honoring South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee alongside President Joe Biden and Jill Biden.
Pax’s Early Life and Creative Pursuits
Born November 29, 2003, Pax spent the first few years of his life in an orphanage near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Jolie reflected on his early circumstances, telling MSN in 2007,
He spent three-and-a-half years of his life in one place, in one room, in this one little iron bed with 20 other kids, and having no choice for himself to do things, having no freedom.
Jolie described how Pax adapted after joining his new family, stating,
suddenly, here he is in a very free situation with new brothers and sisters and a mom and dad. He’s learning English and he’s so loving and he’s wild and free ’cause he suddenly has freedom so he’s a little wild and crazy. But what a tough, remarkable little person.
Pax has demonstrated an interest in the entertainment world, voicing the character Yoo in Angelina’s animated film Kung Fu Panda 3, and working as a set photographer on First They Killed My Father. He has also contributed to his mother’s creative business, Atelier Jolie, in New York City, and worked in an assistant director capacity on the Italian production of Jolie’s upcoming film Without Blood. Jolie remarked to People about working alongside Pax and Maddox,
When a film crew is at its best, it feels like a big family, so it felt natural.
Zahara’s Engagement with Charity and Education
Zahara, born January 8, 2005, was adopted from an orphanage in Hawassa, Ethiopia, where Angelina visited accompanied by Maddox. Jolie has shared that Maddox was affectionate with Zahara upon her arrival, comparing her to a tiny pet whom Maddox cherished.
Zahara has pursued philanthropic efforts, launching a jewelry line named Zahara Collection in 2019 alongside jeweler Robert Procop, and assisting her mother‘s work with the UNHCR through visits to Syrian refugee camps. In August 2022, Zahara began studies at Spelman College in Atlanta, where her mother expressed emotion about her departure, saying in an Instagram video,
I haven’t started crying yet so…hopefully I can hold it together.
She has actively participated in advocacy initiatives in Washington, D.C., joining Jolie in promoting the renewal of the Violence Against Women Act in 2022 and supporting the Justice for All Reauthorization Act in 2023. Zahara also became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority during her time at Spelman.
Shiloh’s Growing Presence in Entertainment and Personal Identity
Shiloh was born on May 27, 2006, at Cottage Hospital in Swakopmund, Namibia. Angelina described her as
so full of light and love…very, very funny,
and predicted she might be
a little bit of trouble!
in an interview. Shiloh made her public debut on the red carpet in 2014 and has since appeared at various events, including premieres for Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, The Breadwinner, and Dumbo, as well as the 2021 Eternals premiere, where she notably wore one of her mother’s Dior gowns.
Jolie shared with E! that Shiloh enjoys borrowing clothes from her wardrobe, stating,
I’m like, ‘Oh my god, wear it and wear it better than me! And take it, and it’s your turn… I’m that mom.’
Showing interest in her mother’s humanitarian efforts and entertainment career, Shiloh has trained at the Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles. On her 18th birthday in 2024, she legally petitioned to remove the hyphenated “Pitt” from her surname, choosing to be known as Shiloh Nouvel Jolie. A source close to the situation revealed she hired her own legal counsel and funded the petition independently.
Twins Knox and Vivienne’s Early Years and Artistic Interests
Angelina revealed her pregnancy with twins at the 2008 Independent Spirit Awards, and Knox and Vivienne were born in Nice, France, on July 12, 2008. Soon after birth, Jolie described life with the twins as chaotic yet joyful, adding that their older siblings Shiloh and Zahara enjoyed dressing and caring for them.
Knox was named after Pitt’s grandfather, Hal Knox Hillhouse, with Angelina noting,
Knox is a lot like Brad, emotionally and physically.
The resemblance between father and son became evident during their attendance at the 2015 British Motorcycle Grand Prix. Knox also voiced a character, Ku Ku, in Kung Fu Panda 3 alongside some of his siblings. Jolie remarked,
They don’t really want to be actors, but I didn’t want them to miss the opportunity. They came in, and they had a lot of fun with it.
Vivienne, Knox’s fraternal twin, has been described by Jolie as thoughtful and serious about theater, resembling her late grandmother Marcheline Bertrand in her supportive nature toward other creatives. Jolie said of Vivienne,
She’s very thoughtful and serious about theatre and working hard to best understand how to contribute.
Vivienne performed as the younger version of Elle Fanning‘s character Aurora in 2014’s Maleficent, impressing Jolie with her focus. In later years, Vivienne shifted toward behind-the-scenes roles, inspiring Jolie to help bring the 1983 film The Outsiders to Broadway. Vivienne volunteered as an assistant on the Tony-winning production and critically kept her mother on task. Jolie said,
She’ll correct me, ‘Didn’t you read the memo? We have to do this, we have to go through this.’ She’s been a really tough assistant. She takes it very, very seriously.
Continued Legal Conflict Highlights the Challenges Ahead
The prolonged dispute between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie over the Château Miraval winery illustrates the complexities of their post-divorce relationship. Pitt’s insistence on uncovering private communications and pursuing further depositions emphasizes his determination to contest the sale‘s legitimacy. Jolie’s countersuits and public responses demonstrate her resistance to allegations and a desire to defend her actions.
This ongoing legal battle not only involves significant financial interests surrounding a high-profile estate but also sheds light on deeper personal grievances between the two celebrities. With motions revolving around NDAs, allegations of malice, and opposing narratives over past incidents, the case is expected to continue unfolding with further court proceedings. The outcome could set precedents for celebrity asset disputes following divorce, while also affecting public perceptions of both Pitt and Jolie.
