Brad Pitt is demanding $35 million in damages from Angelina Jolie, according to new court revelations. The financial claim was disclosed as the actress’s emails were presented as evidence in their ongoing legal battle. This information was exclusively reported by Us Weekly.
Pitt, 61, filed court documents on October 29 as he contests Jolie’s opposition to releasing a series of private emails. He believes these emails, exchanged between Jolie and her team, could substantiate his case.
Jolie, 50, argues that the emails contain legal discussions and are therefore privileged. She maintains Pitt has no right to view them.
The dispute stems from Pitt’s November 2022 lawsuit against Jolie regarding their French winery, Chateau Miraval. He alleged Jolie sold her stake in the company to a third party without his consent. Pitt claims this sale violated a prior agreement between them. Jolie denies that she required his approval to sell her share.
A November 22, 2023 letter from Jolie’s legal team was attached to Pitt’s new filing. In the letter, Jolie’s lawyers discussed documents Pitt needed to produce in relation to his “ongoing economic damages claim.”
Jolie’s attorney emphasized Pitt’s responsibility for discovery costs. “It bears noting that the costly nature of any document production is Pitt’s own responsibility: he is suing Jolie for $35 million in damages,” her legal team wrote. “As a result, he must bear the cost of producing the documents that will prove (or disprove) such damages.”
Pitt previously stated in his lawsuit that he invested substantial time and money into transforming Miraval into a successful winery.
He claims Jolie sold her interest to a company called Stoli, which then attempted a hostile takeover of Miraval. The new owners, Stoli and Nouvel, subsequently counter-sued Pitt, alleging mismanagement of company assets. Pitt denied all accusations of mismanagement. Stoli and Nouvel also denied Pitt’s allegations against them.
Pitt’s legal team stated they offered Jolie $55 million for her share of Miraval. However, she reportedly withdrew from negotiations and sold her stake to Stoli.
Jolie asserts she backed out because Pitt demanded she sign a non-disclosure agreement. She claims this NDA would have prevented her from discussing not only the sale but also aspects of her personal life.
An alleged email dated March 23, 2021, used by Pitt as evidence, suggests Jolie’s team discussed concerns with Pitt’s counsel. The email noted worries that Jolie “could continue to harm BP’s image and that this could negatively impact the wine business.”
In early 2021, Jolie’s divorce lawyers filed sealed court documents concerning alleged spousal abuse. Details from these filings have never been made public. Jolie has not publicly addressed the specific allegations.
In the civil lawsuit, Jolie filed documents alleging Pitt assaulted her on a private plane on September 14, 2016. Both the FBI and the Department of Children and Family Services investigated the incident. No charges were ever filed against Pitt.
At that time, Pitt’s attorney, Anne Kiley, stated, “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.” Kiley added that Pitt had “been on the receiving end of every type of personal attack and misrepresentation.”
Another alleged email from Jolie’s team indicated their client was not involved in leaks. “I made it very clear that our client is not involved in the leaks,” a team member reportedly said.
Pitt and Jolie remain at odds over the emails, which include communications with her representative, Terry Bird, British publicists Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, and two financial advisors. Pitt has formally requested the court compel Jolie to release these emails.
Jolie’s lawyer, Paul Murphy, previously stated, “Mr. Pitt’s reply does not address our arguments and continues to rely on conjecture and speculation, all with the goal of invading her privileged communications with her lawyers.” He added, “This once again confirms that this lawsuit is the manifestation of Mr. Pitt’s years-long effort to harass and control Angelina. We look forward to the next hearing.”