Brad Pitt has gained a significant advantage in his ongoing legal battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over their shared French winery, Château Miraval. A judge has ordered Jolie to turn over 22 previously undisclosed documents, including private text messages and emails, after ruling in Pitt’s favor.
Legal dispute over Château Miraval
Pitt sued Jolie in 2022 following her sale of her stake in the winery to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group. Jolie’s company, Nouvel, transferred her 50% ownership interest without Pitt’s consent, a move Pitt claims violated an agreement the former couple made when they purchased the property in 2008.
Why the documents matter
Legal experts say the newly ordered documents could be critical to the outcome of the case. Attorneys told Fox News Digital that the effort Jolie’s team made to shield the messages suggests the contents may weaken her legal position and potentially shift the case in Pitt’s favor.
Discovery ruling seen as major win
While discovery disputes are common in civil litigation, entertainment and family law attorneys described this ruling as a meaningful victory for Pitt. They noted that judges typically compel disclosure only when documents are deemed relevant and not legally protected.
Will the messages become public?
Whether Jolie’s private texts and emails ever become public remains uncertain. Legal experts explained that discovery materials are not automatically filed into the public record unless they are introduced as evidence during court proceedings or attached to court filings.
Possibility of early resolution
Attorneys also suggested the case could resolve sooner than expected if the documents significantly damage Jolie’s claims. In that scenario, a settlement could occur before the most sensitive materials are publicly disclosed.
Background on the long-running feud
Pitt and Jolie were together for 12 years and married for two before Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. Since then, their dispute over Château Miraval has escalated, with Jolie’s company accusing Pitt of mismanaging and depleting winery assets, claims Pitt has denied.
What’s next
Despite the recent ruling, Pitt and Jolie are still expected to face off in court over the winery dispute, with proceedings currently anticipated in 2027.
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