The never-ending Hollywood legal saga between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt has flared up once again — and this time, it’s not about custody, but a non-disclosure agreement that Jolie claims was meant to keep her quiet.
In court documents filed on October 6, Jolie described Pitt’s 2021 demand that she sign an NDA as “extremely painful,” alleging it was designed to silence her during negotiations over the sale of her stake in Château Miraval, the couple’s French winery.
The actress also requested over R610,000 in legal fees (converted from US$33,000), accusing Pitt of trying to “control” her by seeking access to confidential communications with her legal team.
Jolie Says NDA Was an Attempt to Muzzle Her
According to Jolie’s filing, Pitt’s legal team insisted that she sign a sweeping NDA that would prevent her from ever speaking publicly about their marriage or the circumstances that led to their breakup.
Jolie called the request “an attempt to exert control through silence,” claiming that it had little to do with business and everything to do with keeping her from sharing her side of the story.
Legal analysts have noted that while NDAs are common in business deals, their use in personal disputes — particularly those involving domestic allegations or divorce proceedings — can be seen as coercive.
Pitt’s Team Stays Silent — for Now
Brad Pitt’s representatives have yet to comment on Jolie’s latest filing, maintaining the same tight-lipped approach that has characterized much of his side of the dispute.
The two actors, once Hollywood’s ultimate power couple, have been locked in a drawn-out legal battle over both the ownership of Château Miraval and custody of their six children.
Their relationship, which began on the set of Mr. & Mrs. Smith in 2004, captivated fans and tabloids alike. After a decade of romance, the couple married in 2014 — only to separate two years later in what became one of the most publicized divorces in modern celebrity history.
A Bitter Battle Over Business and Privacy
Jolie sold her stake in the winery in 2021 to a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, a move Pitt’s team claimed violated an agreement that gave him first right of refusal. Pitt subsequently sued Jolie, alleging that her sale damaged the brand’s reputation and value.
Jolie’s latest response flips that narrative, arguing that Pitt’s lawsuit was retaliation for her refusal to sign the NDA — a condition she viewed as unrelated to the winery deal.
Legal experts say the case underscores the complex intersection between celebrity privacy, power dynamics, and business interests. While the public may see another Hollywood feud, behind the scenes it’s a battle over control — not just of assets, but of narratives.
The Legacy of ‘Brangelina’
Known collectively as “Brangelina,” Jolie and Pitt’s partnership defined a generation of celebrity culture — a blend of glamour, global activism, and tabloid obsession.
Their relationship produced six children, philanthropic ventures, and a vineyard empire. But nearly nine years after their 2016 split, the drama surrounding their divorce continues to outlast their marriage itself.
And as this latest chapter unfolds, one thing seems clear: the Château Miraval dispute may be less about wine and more about whose story gets to be told — and who gets to silence it.
