Angelina Jolie loses legal bid to throw out ex-husband Brad Pitt's claim she sold $64M stake in Miraval vineyard to Russian oligarch without his agreement
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 06:23
- Written by Daily mail
Brad Pitt has been handed the latest victory in the battle to control the French vineyard he owned with ex-wife Angelina Jolie in the latest twist in the so-called 'War of the Rosés'.The Chateau Miraval estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rosé, is at the center of a long-running court battle between the pair.Jolie attempted to overturn a preliminary ruling at the LA Superior Court which allowed her ex-husband’s claims that she sold her stake in their stunning vineyard to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler without his agreement in 2021.But in another win for the Fight Club star, the court rejected the allegations that his suit was ‘frivolous, malicious, and part of a problematic pattern.’It now means that Pitt’s legal team has the green light to take the court battle to trial, in which the A-lister is suing Jolie for breaching an agreement that they would give each other first refusal.Court minutes seen by DailyMail.com show that the Hollywood star was given the go-ahead on March 8 to amend one overruled claim relating to breaching an ‘implied covenant’ of fair dealing and good faith.Judge Lia Martin rejected Jolie’s attorneys attempts to toss out the lawsuit for breaching an implied contract and quasi-contract, which is the latest blow for Jolie and Shefler.Last month, the Mail revealed that Stoli had been stripped of some shares by a court in Luxembourg, making Pitt the majority shareholder.The battle over Chateau Miraval's future has so far been waged in courtrooms in France, Luxembourg and Los Angeles.Pitt was shocked when his ex-wife sold her half of their stunning Chateau Miraval estate without his agreement to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021.After their acrimonious separation in 2016, Jolie sold her stake in the business to Yuri Shefler's Stoli Group. Pitt claimed she had breached an agreement that they would give each other first refusal.Financial papers seen by DailyMail.com in February revealed that the ultimate owner of the shares is a shadowy trust on the isle of Jersey controlled by a company of which Shefler is not a shareholder.The bewildering business arrangements make it impossible to know who is pulling the strings - but friends of Hollywood star Pitt say he is determined to get to the bottom of it.A source close to the actor said: 'Brad wants Jersey to start providing answers. He should have the right to know who has bought into his business.'He has put his heart and soul into Chateau Miraval and feels the rug has been pulled out from under him. He does not know for sure who he is actually in business with.'
In a previous filing Pitt claimed that Shefler tried to ‘bully’ and ‘threaten’ him with smears, arguing the Russian tried to browbeat him into submission by issuing a press release announcing their ‘partnership’ the day after Jolie’s deal went through.Shefler then demanded that the pair meet for talks, after ‘personally insisting’ that the release ‘emphasized’ that they were partners with Pitt – despite the A-Lister only learning of the deal through the announcement.The filings are part of the Oscar winners bid to undo the $64m sale by Angelina Jolie of her share in the Chateau Miraval estate to Shefler.He says the 2021 deal was in breach of Jolie’s earlier promise to offer him first refusal if she ever sold up.Shefler is accused of reaching out to Jolie’s divorce lawyers following reports of a ‘heated custody dispute’ in 2021.Pitt’s team also say that representatives for Stoli—the international beverage conglomerate owned by Shefler— made as ‘unsolicited’ bid for Miravel following news of the couples split.Shefler insists the American courts have no jurisdiction to hear a full trial on the matter.But the momentum in the legal battle appears to be with Pitt, after a court in Luxembourg stripped Shefler of 10 per cent of his shares, effectively making Pitt the majority shareholder once again.His legal team secured the victory by arguing that the shares were given in 2013 with the understanding that Jolie would not sell them on.Judge Carole Kerschen ruled it was necessary to end the 'blockage of decision' and save the business. A 'merits hearing' in around two years is likely to decide that Pitt regain full control of the shares, which were transferred to Jolie’s company for one euro.A source close to the actor previously said the ruling leaves Shefler, with 'virtually no say' in the multi-million-pound business in Provence.Pitt and Jolie bought the 1,300-acre Miraval estate in 2008 as 60-40 partners, with Pitt the majority shareholder.Five years later, he gave an extra 10 per cent to Jolie's company Nouvel for one euro, making them equals.But after their acrimonious split in 2016 the estate was at the center of a $350million divorce battle.In 2021, Jolie sold Nouvel to a group controlled by Shefler. Pitt's lawyers claimed she 'knew and intended Shefler and his affiliates would try to control the business'.
 |
source : Daily mail 
Angelina Jolie makes her fashion design debut with Suleika Jaouad Batiste's upcycled silk Oscars gown
- Details
- Published on Tuesday, 12 March 2024 09:55
- Written by Daily Mail
Angelina Jolie officially made her fashion design debut by creating Suleika Jaouad Batiste's silver-pleated gown at the 96th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday. 'The dress was designed by the one and only Angelina Jolie,' the 35-year-old best-selling author announced to CTV's Etalk on the red carpet. '[It was] her first time designing a dress for the red carpet, and she invited the amazing artist Chaz Guest to paint a symphony on the back of it.' Indeed, Chaz Guest admitted he 'was nervous' to paint a portrait of five-time Grammy winner Jon Batiste conducting his first symphony because he's used to painting on canvases not 100% upcycled silk. 'I didn't want to mess up! But I put on Jon's music, and didn't think, and went with the full inspiration and moved as fast as I could,' the 62-year-old artist told Vogue on Sunday.'I used a technique of painting that is quite known in Japan: It's called sumi-e, and it's an ancient way of drawing, with sumi ink.' The 48-year-old Atelier Jolie founder - who also selected Suleika's Neil Lane jewelry - added: 'I wanted a look inspired by Suleika's creativity and her love. She is a painter, and so it felt right to have her gown used as a canvas.' Angelina has a 'deep admiration' for Batiste after watching her battle with acute myeloid leukemia, which returned after a decade in remission, in Matthew Heineman's critically-acclaimed Netflix documentary American Symphony. 'American Symphony shows one of the great artist pairings and love stories of our time,' Jolie gushed. 'We can all learn from them about how to approach love, art, and the challenges life brings. They say in the film, "freedom and family." There really isn't anything more important.'
Due to the risk of exposure, the New York Times columnist - who underwent a bone marrow transplant - had to spend many weeks apart from her talented 37-year-old husband, whom she originally met as a teenager at band camp. 'Lullabies became his way of enveloping me with care, love, and presence from a distance,' Suleika explained. 'To see that lullaby become a full-fledged song [titled It Never Went Away], become a part of a film, and then go on to be nominated at the Oscars, shows how much things can change in two years.' The We Dare to Dream producer added: '[She's a] brilliant creative force who inspires everyone who knows her. I would have dressed her for anything she needed. It should never be about the dress, but how anything worn feels like an extension of the person.' It's been nearly a year since Angelina founded her fashion house with a focus on sustainability and upcycling. Unfortunately for the married couple of two years, Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell's Barbie track What Was I Made For? wound up winning Oscar gold for best original song. The Color Purple actor - who previously won the Oscar in 2020 for scoring Soul - is next scheduled to perform a sold-out concert this Tuesday at Canada's Massey Hall in Toronto. Last December, Jolie confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that she'll soon reprise her Maleficent role for a third Disney film. Last October, the former Hollywood wild child filmed her role as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín's seventies-set biopic Maria, which will mark her first acting role since Chloé Zhao's dismally-reviewed 2021 MCU flick Eternals. It's been a year since Angelina was attached to produce and star opposite Halle Berry in Roseanne Liang's action thriller Maude v Maude for Warner Bros., but it's unclear what the status is at this point. It's also unclear when audiences will see Jolie's fifth feature directorial effort Without Blood starring Salma Hayek and Demián Bichir, which is a big-screen adaptation of the 2002 Alessandro Baricco novel. On the personal front, the humanitarian is mother to six children - son Maddox, 22; son Pax, 20; daughter Zahara, 19; daughter Shiloh, 17; and fraternal twins Vivienne and Knox, 15 - from her two-year marriage to ex-husband #3 Brad Pitt, which ended in 2016.
 |
source : Daily mail
Angelina Jolie shows off her new blondish locks as she models chic grey trench coat and quilted bag in New York City
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 06:24
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie appeared to be having a blonde bombshell moment when she stepped out in New York City on Thursday. The 48-year-old Oscar winner - whose ex Brad Pitt recently moved in with his much younger girlfriend - radiated style and glamour while showcasing her lighter locks during her visit to the Big Apple, having transitioned to blonde just weeks earlier.Bundling up in a chic grey trench coat and black pants, the star was spotted leaving her apartment. Angelina added a black quilted handbag to the mix as she maintained a low-key appearance, complementing her ensemble with a set of designer sunglasses.The outing comes after the actress was spotted wearing three different costumes on the set of her upcoming biopic Maria in Paris. She gave it her all to channel Callas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century who passed away in 1977 at the young age of 53.The film will 'explore the life of the legendary, iconic and controversial singer, often described as the original diva,' according to its official description. 'I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria's life and legacy,' Angelina said previously in a statement. 'I will give all I can to meet the challenge.'The biopic is poised to generate Oscar buzz. Jolie earned acclaim with an impressive Oscar win for her outstanding supporting role in Girl, Interrupted in 1999. Subsequently, she received her only nomination for Best Actress in Changeling in 2008.She's also working on the Broadway-bound musical adaptation of The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton's 1967 novel and Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 movie.The beauty is mom to Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 18, whom are all adopted.She also shared three biological children with Pitt — Shiloh, 17, and 15-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.Jolie and Pitt met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2005 while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their enchanting love story crumbled in 2016, and the once iconic 'Brangelina' couple has been entangled in bitter legal disputes ever since. Initially, Jolie had full custody of the children, but by 2021, an agreement was hammered out, granting Pitt 50% custody. However, complications arose when it was discovered that the judge overseeing the case, John Ouderkirk, had close business ties with Pitt's legal team. Consequently, he was disqualified, and custody reverted to Jolie, permitting Pitt only 'custodial visits.'
 |
source : Daily mail
Angelina Jolie has a blonde bombshell moment while showing off lighter locks as she continues her hair transformation
- Details
- Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2024 06:24
- Written by Daily mail
Angelina Jolie debuted newly lightened locks as she stepped out in New York City on Wednesday evening.The 48-year-old actress and activist — whose ex Brad Pitt recently moved in with his girlfriend Ines de Ramon — showed off the brighter locks after going blonde weeks earlier.The star looked like she had gotten a fresh blowout as the shiny tresses bounced over her shoulders, styled in a side part.Jolie's eyes were obscured by her large, black-rimmed, lightly tinted eyeglasses. She was dressed in a crew neck white shirt, black slacks, and black boots.The mother-of-six wore a double-breasted, black, wool coat and carried a large, black, leather tote bag over her shoulder.She was spotted heading into a luxury black SUV as she left her store Atelier Jolie.In addition to returning to the silver screen this year with the highly-anticipated biopic Maria, Jolie will be reprising her voice role as Master Tigress in the animated sequel Kung Fu Panda 4.Her films Every Note Played, Maleficent 3, and the spy thriller Maude V Maude, are all in pre-production, according to IMBD.She's also working on the Broadway-bound musical adaptation of The Outsiders, based on S.E. Hinton's 1967 novel and Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 movie.The beauty is mom to Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 18, whom are all adopted.She also shared three biological children with Pitt — Shiloh, 17, and 15-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Jolie and Pitt met on the set of Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2005 while he was still married to Jennifer Aniston. Their fairytale romance fell apart in 2016 and the couple once known as 'Brangelina' has been embroiled in acrimonious legal battles ever since.They were declared legalled single in 2019, and although Jolie initially had full custody of the children, an agreement was thrashed out in 2021 that allowed Pitt to have them 50 per cent of the time.But shortly afterwards, John Ouderkirk, the judge in charge of the case, was revealed to have a close business relationships with Pitt's lawyers.As a result, he was disqualified from the case and custody was returned to Jolie with Pitt allowed 'custodial visits' only.Their divorce is still ongoing.
 |
source : Daily mail
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie 'may be one step closer to finalizing divorce' after stars submit financial disclosures... seven years after their split
- Details
- Published on Saturday, 10 February 2024 16:27
- Written by Daily mail
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie submitted their financial documents in what appears to be one step closer to finalizing their divorce that has been ongoing for almost eight years.Brad, 60, and Angelina, 48, reportedly disclosed their finances to the other party, according to TMZ, which signals the end of a divorce settlement.The former power couple have been battling it out since Angelina first filed for divorce in September 2016.DailyMail.com has reached out to Brad and Angelina's representatives for comment. The movie stars, who met in 2004 while filming Mr. And Mrs. Smith, share six children together: sons Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, and Knox, 15, and daughters Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 17, and Vivienne, 15. Jolie adopted Maddox in 2002, then Zahara in 2005, a year after she'd met Pitt while the pair filmed Mr and Mrs Smith. He was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time.They then adopted Pax together in 2007, and had biological kids Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne afterwards. Pitt adopted all of the kids before they got married in 2014.They married in August 2014 after 10 years together but Angelina filed for divorce in September 2016. At the time, Angelina chose to file 'for the health of the family,' according to the Associated Press, and asked for physical custody of the children.Jolie filed for sole custody after filing for divorce following an incident on the couple's private plane during which she said he allegedly became violent and abusive, which he has vehemently denied and was cleared of.By the end of September 2016, she was granted the full physical custody according to a judge, with Brad having visitation rights.Two months later, Brad filed his response, requesting joint and physical custody of the children.By December 2016, Brad filed - but was later denied - a request to seal the custody related documents.In January 2017, they released a joint statement revealing that they signed an agreement to keep their court documents confidential.The judge ordered Angelina to help repair Brad's relationship with their children and he was given more time with them.However, in August 2018, Angelina accused Brad of not paying any 'meaningful child support, with Brad's lawyers filing a response one day later, claiming he's paid her $9 million since their split.A judge granted them both legal single status on April 12, 2019, while the couple continued to finalize their divorce.
Brad was granted joint custody by private Judge John Ouderkirk in May 2021 but Angelina challenged it.
A California appeals court disqualified the judge in July 2021, agreeing with Jolie in that the judge, Judge John Ouderkirk, did not sufficiently disclose business relationships with Pitt's attorneys. Lawyers for the star filed a petition for review with the California Supreme Court after the disqualification of Judge John Ouderkirk effectively voided the joint custody ruling, according to People.In Pitt's petition, lawyers claim that elimination of Ouderkirk 'effectively upended the constitutionally authorized temporary judging system in California' and subsequently 'throws open the door to disqualification challenges at any point during a case, even if the party raising the motion has long been on notice about the alleged grounds for disqualification.' In addition, lawyers for the actor allege that Jolie was 'made aware of Judge Ouderkirk's significant professional history with Pitt's counsel from the very start,' yet did not seek disqualification until years later.The joint custody ruling was then vacated after his removal. In February 2022, Brad sued Angelina for selling their Chateau Miraval Winery, their French winery and the place they tied the knot. They had 50/50 ownership, and Angelina sold her portion to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler. The holding company in control of her Miraval share is called Nouvel.He requested the sale to be voided and sought monetary damages and legal fees however the sale went through on October 5, 2021.In June 2023, Brad filed an amended complaint regarding her sale of her share of the winery. His lawsuit for the sale of her portion of the winery is still ongoing. Brad is currently romantically involved with Ines de Ramon, the ex-wife of actor Paul Wesley.
 |
source : Daily mail
Share
