Brad Pitt has won the latest round in his epic legal battle against his ex, Angelina Jolie, over their $500 million French vineyard.
The “Moneyball” star, 60, has been in court in California and in Luxembourg over Château Miraval, arguing that he should have a controlling interest in the vaunted vineyard after Jolie, 48, sold her shares to Yuri Shefler, owner of Russian vodka giant Stoli.
Before they married, the couple bought the estate together, with Pitt owning 60 percent and Jolie 40 percent.
They tied the knot at the winery in 2014, and Pitt gifted Jolie an extra 10 percent as part of their wedding, making it a 50-50 asset when they split in 2016, we’re told.
Jolie then sold off her shares, but Pitt has been arguing that her deal was not valid and that he should still retain a 60 percent ownership.
A source close to the case said : “He owned 60 [percent] and she owned 40 [percent]. When they got married, it was a conversation where everything was all roses [at the time]. The agreement was for her to get 10 percent from him, a 50/50 agreement that they reached for one euro. It was symbolic of their partnership.”
However, Pitt has been arguing in court that the couple’s agreement for the extra 10 percent is unenforceable, sources tell us, and that he should get back the percentage and maintain control of the property.
The Luxembourg court, we hear, has ruled that — for now — the 10 percent goes back to Pitt until there is a final ruling.
Said a source: “It’s like the equivalent of escrow… it is not a final decision.”
The source said, “For now, he maintains a 60/40 [split],” which means, “he maintains control of this until probably another year, or more,” as the legal battle continues to play out.
