Brad Pitt's Passion for Chateau Miraval May Offer Insight Into His Angelina Jolie Court Fight
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie broke up in 2016, but they are still battling over their former winery, Chateau Miraval. He owns 50% of the French property, but Jolie’s share was sold to Tenute del Mondo, which is a subsidiary of Stoli Group owned by Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, in 2021. The 60-year-actor wasn’t pleased with his ex-wife’s move, and his recent GQ interview may subtly reveal why he’s fighting her so hard in court.
The cover story with Pitt and his Wolfs co-star, George Clooney, took place at Chateau Miraval in the village of Correns, France. The article poetically described “the stone pots of lavender and rosemary” and “the Proven?al sky, which is the same soft blue as it was when Matisse painted it.” It sounds heavenly, right? Besides the gorgeous landscape the winery offers, it seems to hold a key to Pitt’s A-list friendships — Clooney has clearly chosen a side in the Jolie-Pitt divorce.
More from SheKnows
The Ticket to Paradise star and his wife, Amal Clooney, bought a home near the vineyard, so the very famous pals are also neighbors in France. “Literally, I just drove from my house,” Clooney told the magazine. “I’ve been there for two years. I’ve never been here. It’s nine minutes.”
“During the pandemic,” Pitt chimed in about his knowledge of his pal’s real estate purchase. “Online.”
“Yeah, online,” Clooney added.
So, it seems that Pitt has a desire to own the property flat out, without interference from another business investor. It’s what Pitt and Jolie have been fighting over for years, but remember, he wanted to buy her out with conditions. Joie claimed that her ex wanted her to sign an NDA about the 2016 alleged domestic violence incident that officially ended their marriage. She refused, and they have battled in court ever since she sold her share to Shefler.
In July 2023, Jolie’s court documents revealed just how ugly the battle had gotten. “Pitt is an actor, not a winemaker,” according to the legal papers obtained by the Financial Times. “He deals in illusions, not dirt and grapes.” She described Pitt as a “petulant child” who spent millions looting the vineyard to build a recording studio and complete a $1 million swimming pool renovation. “While he no doubt visited the vineyards to admire the work of the French laborers who actually made the business successful, Pitt is no vigneron,” the documents noted.
Chateau Miraval might represent a level of status to Pitt that he wants to maintain among his A-list friends. Clooney’s wealth is represented by his Lake Como villa, and Pitt can enjoy the bragging rights of Chateau Miraval. Yet, the darkness surrounding Pitt and Jolie’s divorce still lingers, and the winery is a chapter in that sad story. Pitt may want to fight until the end for Chateau Miraval, but at what cost?
Before you go, click here to see the most important celebrity lawsuits over the past 15 years.
Best of SheKnows
All the Times Jennifer Lawrence Showed off Her Evolving Fashion on the Red Carpet
19 Famous Women Who Have Played Roxie in Chicago on Broadway
20 Photos of Halle Berry on the Red Carpet That Took Our Breath Away
Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
