After years of bitter legal wrangling and emotional headlines, Hollywood’s most notorious divorce saga between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has finally reached a resolution. On December 30, 2024, after more than eight years of complex negotiations and public legal battles, the former couple signed off on a settlement that officially ended their lengthy divorce process—a process that began when Angelina Jolie filed for divorce on September 19, 2016.
A Long and Painful Journey
Angelina Jolie, then 49, initiated the divorce after a 12-year relationship and a two-year marriage with Brad Pitt, aged 61. Her decision came on the heels of a private plane flight incident during which she alleged that Pitt had been abusive—not only to her but also to their six children.
Although authorities never pressed charges, and Jolie chose not to pursue criminal charges, the filing set in motion a legal process that would stretch over nearly a decade.
In the immediate aftermath of the divorce filing, Jolie and her children vacated the family’s primary residence, Château Miraval, leaving behind a home that had been central to their shared life.
Jolie’s lawyers later explained that this departure was a necessary step toward establishing a new beginning—a step toward finding peace and healing for her family.
Negotiations Behind Closed Doors
For years, the divorce was marred by disputes over everything from custody arrangements to the division of valuable assets, including the famed French estate and winery, Château Miraval, which had long been a symbol of the couple’s lavish lifestyle. Negotiations were further complicated by ongoing allegations and counterclaims.
In early 2017, both parties reached a tentative agreement to resolve custody issues in a private forum with a sealed record, an effort to protect the privacy of their children, many of whom have since grown into adulthood.
Despite a joint statement released in 2017 promising confidentiality—stating that all future court documents and decisions would be made by a private judge—the process remained contentious. Over the years, both sides traded legal accusations in Los Angeles Superior Court. Pitt and Jolie’s disputes went beyond custody and property; they also involved a bitter battle over the control and sale of their Château Miraval stake.
The Custody and Property Battles
One of the most grueling aspects of the split was the constant tug-of-war over custody and control of the family estate. Reports indicate that for much of the process, custody negotiations were central to the legal fighting, with both Pitt and Jolie determined to act in what they claimed was the best interest of their children.
Their six children—ranging in age from teenagers to young adults—became the focal point of intense legal scrutiny. Despite the emotional stakes, both parents consistently maintained that their primary goal was to secure a future of stability and unity for the children.
The Château Miraval dispute, in particular, symbolized the broader financial and emotional battles of the divorce. In February 2022, Brad Pitt sued Angelina Jolie over her sale of her stake in the historic French estate. Jolie, in turn, countersued, accusing Pitt of orchestrating a “vindictive war” to seize control of Miraval.
According to sources, Jolie’s countersuit argued that the former couple never had a secret or unspoken contract that required mutual consent before selling their shares. For Pitt’s legal team, the request for disclosure of emails and texts—a measure Jolie’s lawyer claimed would prove her allegations of abuse and cover-ups—was seen as a sensationalist fishing expedition.
In November 2024, a judge ruled that Pitt must indeed disclose these documents, a decision that many saw as a significant turning point in the ongoing dispute.
An Exhausting Legal Process Comes to an End
Finally, on December 30, 2024, Angelina Jolie’s lawyers confirmed that the divorce settlement had been signed. “More than eight years ago, Angelina filed for divorce from Mr. Pitt.
She and the children left all of the properties they had shared with Mr. Pitt, and since that time she has focused on finding peace and healing for their family,” stated Jolie’s attorney James Simon in a release to PEOPLE. Simon acknowledged that the settlement was only one part of a long and ongoing process—a process that had been as emotionally draining as it was financially complex.
A source close to Jolie revealed that despite the bitterness of the legal proceedings, she harbored no lasting ill will toward Brad Pitt. “She doesn’t speak ill of [Pitt] publicly or privately,” the source confided. “She’s been trying hard to be light after a dark time.” This sentiment reflects the overarching goal that both parties have tried to maintain throughout the ordeal: to act as a united front for the sake of their children and to finally put the painful chapter behind them.
Looking Ahead: Life After the Battle
With the divorce settlement now finalized, both Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are poised to move forward separately. The settlement itself, while marking the end of one of Hollywood’s most grueling legal battles, does not mean that all disputes are entirely over.
Their ongoing litigation over Château Miraval continues to simmer, with both sides seemingly unwilling to let go of the property that once symbolized their shared success. In early 2022, Pitt’s lawsuit and Jolie’s countersuit over Miraval illustrated that even as their personal lives were unravelling, their business and property interests remained fiercely contested.
While Pitt’s legal team has at times characterized Jolie’s latest motions as “frivolous and malicious,” the fact remains that both parties have had to endure years of public scrutiny and legal battles.
For Angelina Jolie, the settlement represents a crucial step in reclaiming her life—a way to emerge from a dark period and begin the process of healing. For Brad Pitt, the settlement is part of a larger effort to untangle his personal and professional legacy from a relationship that once defined his public persona.
The Pitt-Jolie divorce has been more than just a personal split—it has become a cultural touchstone, emblematic of the complexities and challenges of high-profile relationships in modern society.
The prolonged legal battles, intense media scrutiny, and the eventual settlement have all contributed to a narrative that resonates with millions. It is a story that highlights not only the financial stakes of celebrity divorces but also the deeply personal toll they exact on everyone involved.
