In a series of recent court filings and released documents, Angelina Jolie has provided detailed accounts of alleged physical and verbal abuse by her ex-husband, Brad Pitt, particularly highlighting a contentious incident on a private plane in 2016.
On September 14, 2016, Jolie, Pitt, and their children were on a private plane flight from Europe to Los Angeles when an altercation occurred. According to Jolie's report to the FBI, which was revealed through a Freedom of Information/Privacy Act lawsuit, Pitt's behavior became aggressive after he had been drinking.
Jolie described the incident, stating that Pitt asked her to come to the back of the plane to talk, where he allegedly began yelling at her, grabbed her by the head and shoulders, and shook her. He also pushed her into the bathroom wall and punched the ceiling of the plane multiple times, causing significant damage.
The altercation escalated, with Pitt making derogatory comments about Jolie and their family. When one of their children asked if Jolie was okay, Pitt responded by saying, "No, mommy's not OK. She's ruining this family. She's crazy," and continued to rant, eventually pouring wine and beer on Jolie and the children.
Injuries and Aftermath
Jolie reported suffering injuries, including a rug-burn type wound on her right hand, a bruise on her right elbow, and an injury to her back. The incident culminated with Pitt pushing Jolie down and preventing the children from leaving the plane when it landed.
Following this incident, Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt on September 20, 2016. The Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the FBI launched investigations into the alleged physical altercation, but Pitt was ultimately cleared of child abuse allegations in November 2016.
Ongoing Legal Battles
The allegations of physical abuse have resurfaced in recent legal filings related to a dispute over the couple's French vineyard, Château Miraval. In April 2022, Pitt sued Jolie after she sold her stake in the vineyard without his consent. Jolie countersued, accusing Pitt of physical and verbal abuse, citing the 2016 plane incident and alleging a broader history of abuse that predated this event.
Jolie's legal team has stated that Pitt's "history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles," and that this incident marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well.
The court filings include detailed accounts of Pitt's alleged behavior, such as choking one of the children and striking another in the face during the plane incident. Jolie's lawyers argue that these allegations motivated her to sell her interest in the winery and that Pitt's insistence on a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) was an attempt to silence her about his misconduct.
Public and Legal Implications
The public legal battle between Jolie and Pitt has been highly acrimonious, with both sides making significant claims against each other. Despite the FBI and DCFS clearing Pitt of criminal charges, the civil court battles continue, with Jolie seeking to prove her allegations through testimony, emails, photographs, and other evidence.
This ongoing saga highlights the complex and often fraught nature of celebrity divorces and the legal battles that can ensue, particularly when allegations of abuse are involved. As the case continues to unfold, it remains a focal point in the public eye, shedding light on the personal and legal struggles of one of Hollywood's most high-profile couples.
