Hollywood’s once golden couple, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, continue to captivate headlines years after their split. Despite Brad Pitt’s legal victories in their contentious court battles, Angelina Jolie appears to be ahead in their deeply personal and painful family struggle.
The Vineyard War: Pitt’s Legal Triumphs
In the latest development, Brad Pitt, 60, has gained significant ground in his legal disputes with Angelina Jolie, 49. The heart of their conflict centers around their $350 million vineyard in France, Château Miraval. Pitt contends that Jolie sold her shares in the vineyard without his consent, violating their agreement. Recent court rulings have favored Pitt, granting him several victories as he seeks to regain control over the prized property they once cherished together.
However, these legal successes in court seem to be overshadowed by the ongoing battle for their children’s affection and loyalty, a struggle that leaves Pitt deeply troubled.
Jolie’s Strategic Moves: Family Dynamics at Play
According to sources close to the “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” star, Angelina Jolie has used their children as leverage in their prolonged divorce saga. One insider confided to Page Six, “It’s extremely upsetting. She has used the kids as a weapon against Brad … she has separated them from him.” The source continued, “There is a whole pattern: Any time he has a win in court, she hits back with something to do with the kids.”
While Pitt has secured a 50-50 custody agreement on paper, the reality of his relationship with his children tells a different story. Former family security guard Tony Webb recently alleged that Jolie has subtly encouraged their children to distance themselves from their father. These claims are bolstered by the actions of their children, particularly their first biological child, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt.
The Name Game: Shiloh’s Bold Move
On her birthday, Shiloh, now 17, made a statement by filing to legally drop the “Pitt” surname, a move seen by many as a significant and symbolic rejection of her father. This action has fueled speculation and drawn public attention to the strained relationship between Brad and his children. An unnamed insider suggested that this decision was influenced by Jolie, stating, “Reasonable people should draw their own conclusions as to who was actually behind it.”
However, sources close to Entertainment Tonight countered this narrative, asserting that Shiloh independently made the choice, hiring her own lawyer and financing the legal proceedings herself. This independence highlights the complex dynamics at play within the family, where the children are increasingly asserting their own identities and decisions.
The Growing Divide: Maddox, Zahara, and Pax
Shiloh’s decision isn’t an isolated incident. Their eldest child, Maddox, 22, reportedly wanted to drop Pitt’s last name years ago, but according to Us Weekly, Jolie did not support this move at the time. Despite this, Maddox has distanced himself from his father, opting to stop using the “Pitt” name since 2021.
Similarly, their daughter Zahara, 19, has introduced herself without the Pitt surname in social settings, such as during her time with the AKA sorority at Spelman College. Pax, 20, has also publicly expressed his disdain for Pitt, especially through a scathing Father’s Day message in 2020 where he labeled Pitt a “despicable person.”
The Twins’ Stance: Vivienne and Knox
The family’s twin dynamic is also reflective of the larger rift. Vivienne, 15, chose to be listed as “Vivienne Jolie” in the playbill for the Broadway musical “The Outsiders,” omitting her father’s last name. Conversely, her twin brother, Knox, still retains the Pitt surname, showcasing a divide even among the siblings in their connection to their father.
Brad’s Heartache: The Pain of Estrangement
Sources close to Brad Pitt have shared that he is “aware and upset” by these developments. The emotional toll of these strained relationships with his children weighs heavily on him. A confidant revealed to People, “The reminders that he’s lost his children are, of course, not easy for Brad. He loves his children and misses them. It’s very sad.”
Pitt’s situation underscores the emotional complexity that accompanies legal victories, where winning in court doesn’t necessarily equate to winning in life, especially in matters of the heart and family.
Conclusion: The Unfolding Drama
As Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie continue their protracted legal battles, the true casualties seem to be their fractured family relationships. While Pitt may be prevailing in court, the ongoing estrangement from his children reveals a deeper, more poignant struggle. The saga of Hollywood’s once golden couple remains a captivating drama, playing out on both legal and personal fronts, as the world watches with bated breath.
Stay tuned for more updates and insider revelations as this high-profile feud between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie unfolds, capturing the complexities and heartbreak of their once-shared life.
