Angelina Jolie Rejects Brad Pitt's Tax Record Demands in Miraval Estate Battle

Hollywood star Angelina Jolie has strongly opposed a request from her former husband, Brad Pitt, to access her past tax returns and detailed financial records. This latest development is part of their prolonged legal battle concerning Château Miraval, the French estate and vineyard they jointly acquired during their marriage.

In recent court filings, Jolie contended that Pitt's insistence on obtaining her financial documents from 2017 to 2019 stems from what she labels a "continued mischaracterization and selective quoting" of statements she made previously. The core of their ongoing dispute revolves around Jolie's decision to sell her share in Château Miraval to the Stoli Group.

Pitt maintains that he and Jolie had an understanding requiring mutual consent before either party could divest their interest in the property. He alleges that Jolie proceeded with the sale without his necessary approval, thereby violating their agreement. However, Jolie firmly refutes the assertion that Pitt's approval was a prerequisite for her sale.

Pitt's legal representatives have argued that Jolie herself made her financial situation a pertinent issue in the case. This, they claim, is because she stated that her motivation for selling her Miraval interest was to achieve "financial independence." According to Pitt, this declaration makes her tax records and other related financial documents directly relevant to the proceedings.

Jolie, however, counters that her reference to "financial independence" was specifically aimed at disentangling her personal finances from Pitt's following the breakdown of their relationship. She clarifies that it was not an indication that she was experiencing general financial hardship. Her legal submission states, "Separating from one's ex-husband is categorically different from allegations that one is suffering from general financial distress."

Her lawyers further contend that the fundamental question is not whether she required money, but rather her effort to separate her life and financial affairs from what they describe as a "controlling and abusive former spouse." Pitt has consistently denied these allegations of abuse.

Jolie also highlighted that she has already willingly provided tax returns for other periods. She argues that demanding additional historical records would constitute an unwarranted infringement on her privacy.

Conversely, Pitt's legal team insists that the requested documents are highly relevant. They point out that Jolie claimed she had "limited economic alternatives" when she decided to sell her share of the winery. Their filings suggest that if she possessed substantial income and other financial resources during the specified timeframe, such evidence would directly undermine her assertion that she had little choice but to sell. The filings also mention Jolie's status as one of Hollywood's top-earning actresses, noting her approximate $33 million earnings from "Maleficent," which positioned her as Forbes' highest-paid actress that year.

As of now, a judge has yet to issue a ruling on whether Angelina Jolie will be compelled to produce the additional financial records requested by Brad Pitt.