Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, once Hollywood’s ultimate power couple, known as “Brangelina,” captivated the world. Their marriage, however, lasted only two years, but the ensuing divorce proceedings dragged on for an astonishing eight years. The question on everyone’s mind remains: Why Did Angelina Jolie Divorce Brad Pitt, and why did resolving it take so long?
A Messy Separation: Custody and Chateau Miraval
The protracted divorce of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt wasn’t a simple parting of ways. Instead, it became a complex legal entanglement fueled by bitter disputes concerning the custody of their children and a shared French vineyard, Chateau Miraval. These two major issues formed the core of the lengthy and often acrimonious separation.
As celebrity lawyer Chris Melcher explained to BBC News, the duration was exceptionally long for a divorce case. “This is much longer than any divorce we typically see,” he stated. He pinpointed the initial conflict over child custody which then evolved into a protracted battle over the winery they co-owned. “They initially had fights over custody and then it revolved around this winery they own together, and that’s been the focus of their fight over the last few years.”
Celebrity Divorce vs. ‘Normal’ Divorce
The drawn-out nature of the Jolie-Pitt divorce also highlights the distinct characteristics of high-profile celebrity separations. While many seek swift resolutions to move on, cases of this magnitude often become protracted affairs. Melcher noted, “A lot of times in a case of this magnitude we can settle it within six months, a year at the very most. Eight years is really a sign of something more going on.” He suggested underlying factors like “an inability to let go and a desire to really harm the other” can contribute to such delays.
Kate Daly, co-founder of Amicable, an online divorce company, further emphasized the unique industry surrounding celebrity divorces. “It’s an industry… [they can afford] lots of expensive lawyers,” she commented to the BBC. She pointed out the vast difference from typical divorces, stating, “Most people couldn’t afford for it to take eight years. It’s an industry and it’s a bad example – we have to distance [normal] people from that kind of narrative.” The resources available to high-profile individuals can inadvertently prolong proceedings.
The Spark: From Mr. & Mrs. Smith to Marriage
The story of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt began under romantic circumstances on the set of the film “Mr & Mrs Smith,” released in 2005. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life connection. “Because of the film, we ended up being brought together to do all these crazy things, and I think we found this strange friendship and partnership that kind of just suddenly happened,” Jolie recounted to Vogue in 2007, reflecting on the genesis of their relationship.
Both Jolie and Pitt entered this relationship with prior marriages. Pitt was previously married to “Friends” star Jennifer Aniston, while Jolie had been married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.
Building a Family: Children and Adoptions
Together, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt built a large and diverse family, sharing six children. Jolie had adopted Maddox from Cambodia in 2002 before her relationship with Pitt began. Pitt later legally adopted Maddox, solidifying their family unit. In 2005, they adopted Zahara from Ethiopia, further expanding their family.
Their biological children include Shiloh, born in Namibia in 2006, and twins Knox and Vivienne, born in 2008. Pax was adopted from Vietnam in 2007. Interestingly, reports surfaced earlier this year that Shiloh had filed a petition to legally remove “Pitt” from her last name, suggesting ongoing familial complexities.
Cracks Appear: ‘By the Sea’ and Irreconcilable Differences
The final red carpet appearance for the couple was in November 2015, for the premiere of “By the Sea,” a film they starred in together, written and directed by Jolie. The film itself explored the dynamics of an unhappy marriage, perhaps foreshadowing their own impending difficulties.
While they generally kept their relationship private, Jolie hinted at underlying issues during the film’s promotion. Speaking to The Telegraph, she acknowledged, “Brad and I have our issues. We have fights and problems like any other couple. We have days when we drive each other absolutely mad and want space, but the problems in the movie aren’t our specific problems.”
The announcement of Jolie filing for divorce in September 2016, citing “irreconcilable differences,” came as a surprise to many, marking the beginning of their public separation.
The Plane Incident and ‘Vitriolic Hatred’
The divorce filing occurred just a day after a reported incident aboard a private plane, adding another layer of complexity and public scrutiny to their separation. Initial allegations claimed Pitt had struck their eldest son Maddox during a flight from France to Los Angeles. Both the FBI and social services investigated these claims, but no action was ultimately taken. Pitt denied any wrongdoing.
However, in 2022, legal documents related to the vineyard dispute revealed further accusations from Jolie, alleging that Pitt had been physically abusive towards her and two of their children during the same flight while intoxicated. A source close to Pitt refuted these claims as false at the time.
In a 2020 Vogue interview, Jolie stated that she separated from Pitt for the “wellbeing” of her family. “It was the right decision,” she affirmed. “I continue to focus on their healing.” Pitt, in a 2017 GQ interview, spoke about his decision to quit drinking and smoking marijuana, describing the separation as a “huge generator for change.” Regarding the divorce itself, Pitt mentioned their mutual decision to move away from “vitriolic hatred” and work towards resolving their issues amicably and privately.
Protracted Custody Battles
Despite intentions of amicable resolution, the custody arrangements for their children became a significant point of contention, leading to protracted legal battles. Although a judge declared them legally single in 2019, the finalization of the divorce remained elusive.
A custody agreement was initially reached in 2018, but it subsequently unraveled. In 2021, Pitt was granted joint custody after a court decision, but this ruling was later overturned when the private judge overseeing the case was removed due to undisclosed business relationships with Pitt’s legal team. This development raised the possibility of renewed custody disputes, further prolonging the overall divorce process.
Chateau Miraval: The Vineyard Vendetta
Adding another layer to the already intricate divorce was the dispute over Chateau Miraval, the French vineyard they purchased together in 2008. The estate held sentimental value as the location of their 2014 wedding.
The conflict arose when Jolie sold her share of the vineyard to a spirits manufacturer owned by a Russian oligarch, an action Pitt contested in court. Pitt’s lawsuit claimed that they had an agreement requiring mutual consent before selling their shares. Jolie has not publicly addressed these specific allegations. The vineyard dispute became a significant legal and financial battleground, further delaying the finalization of their divorce settlement.
Emotional Toll and Privacy
The extensive legal proceedings and public nature of their separation inevitably took an emotional toll on both Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, as well as their children. Showbiz journalist Jeanne Wolf highlighted the personal impact, stating, “It’s been a very emotional and complicated divorce settlement. It’s taken a big toll on the children and the couple involved.”
Despite the public interest, both parties largely maintained privacy regarding the specifics of the divorce proceedings, often utilizing private judges to mediate disputes, a common practice for high-profile divorces seeking discretion. Jolie’s lawyer’s statement upon reaching a divorce deal underscored the lengthy and draining nature of the process: “Frankly, Angelina is exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.”
In conclusion, Angelina Jolie’s divorce from Brad Pitt became an eight-year saga due to a confluence of factors: complex custody battles, a high-stakes dispute over Chateau Miraval, the inherent intricacies of celebrity divorces, and the significant emotional fallout for all involved. These elements combined to create a protracted and closely watched separation, finally reaching a resolution, but leaving a lasting mark on the individuals and the public consciousness.
