Angelina Jolie Wins Legal Battle Over Private Emails in Château Miraval Dispute

Key facts

• Angelina Jolie sold her 50% stake in Château Miraval to Tenute del Mondo, a Stoli Group subsidiary, in October 2021.
• On Monday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Brad Pitt's motion to access Jolie's private emails.
• The judge ruled that Pitt 'has not met his burden' to override Jolie's claim of attorney-client privilege.
• Pitt initially sought 126 privileged documents but later narrowed the request to 22.
• Jolie's lawyer Paul Murphy called the ruling 'an important victory' and said Pitt was 'completely out of bounds.'
• Pitt's legal team submitted evidence on October 29, 2025, including emails from November 2023 and October 2023.
• The emails allegedly involve Jolie's business manager Terry Bird, publicists Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, and two financial consultants.

Judge Sides with Jolie in Privilege Dispute

Angelina Jolie has secured a significant legal victory in her ongoing battle with Brad Pitt over Château Miraval. On Monday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied Pitt's motion to compel Jolie to turn over a set of private emails tied to the sale of her stake in the French winery. The judge ruled that Pitt 'has not met his burden' to override Jolie's claim that the communications are protected by attorney-client privilege. The motion was denied without prejudice, meaning Pitt may raise the issue again at a later date. The ruling marks the latest twist in Pitt's long-running effort to access communications surrounding Jolie's 2021 sale of her 50% stake in the winery to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group.

Jolie's Counsel Celebrates Ruling

Paul Murphy, Jolie's attorney, issued a statement calling the decision 'an important victory for Ms. Jolie.' He said the ruling demonstrates that Pitt 'was completely out of bounds when he sought access to obviously privileged documents.' Murphy noted that Pitt initially demanded 126 privileged documents, later backtracked to 22, and now 'is getting nothing, zero.' He characterized the move as part of 'Mr. Pitt's pattern of demanding control over anything Angelina, including control over her communications with her own attorneys.' Murphy added that both the Court of Appeal and the trial court 'ultimately put a stop to it.' The statement underscores the intensity of the legal feud between the former couple, who divorced in 2019 but continue to litigate matters related to their shared assets.

Pitt's Legal Team Submits Evidence

On October 29, 2025, Pitt's legal team submitted into evidence communications to and from Jolie's team regarding the 2021 sale. The exhibits included a November 2023 email in which Jolie's lawyers responded to a lawsuit from Pitt, allegedly involving millions in damages. Another exhibit, an October 2023 email from Jolie's team, mentioned that Pitt was 'seeking ongoing damages for alleged harm to Miraval's ongoing operations.' Pitt had argued that certain messages—including those involving Jolie's business team—should not be shielded and should be handed over. He specifically sought emails with Jolie's business manager Terry Bird, her British publicists Chloe Dalton and Arminka Helic, and two financial consultants. In court documents, Pitt stated that Jolie had previously admitted in her own declaration that she regularly discussed 'all aspects' of her business and professional life with Bird, including conversations about legal matters.

Background of the Château Miraval Dispute

The legal battle centers on Château Miraval, a French winery the couple purchased together in 2008. Jolie sold her 50% stake in October 2021 to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, without Pitt's approval. Pitt subsequently filed a lawsuit alleging that the sale violated their agreement that neither would sell their stake without the other's consent. The dispute has dragged on for years, with both sides accusing each other of bad faith. A source close to the case noted that Jolie has withheld many documents as privileged, adding that the emails are 'just some of the evidence in the case.' The ruling does not resolve the underlying dispute over the sale itself, which continues to be litigated.

What Comes Next

The denial without prejudice leaves the door open for Pitt to renew his motion if he can present additional evidence that the emails are not privileged. Legal experts suggest that the ruling sets a precedent regarding the scope of attorney-client privilege in high-profile divorce and business disputes. Meanwhile, the broader case over the Miraval sale remains pending, with both sides preparing for further proceedings. For Jolie, the ruling represents a clear win in a series of legal skirmishes. For Pitt, it is a setback that may force his legal team to reconsider their strategy. The outcome could influence how future discovery requests are handled in cases involving former spouses with intertwined business interests.

The bottom line

• Angelina Jolie won a court ruling protecting her private emails from being disclosed to Brad Pitt in the Château Miraval dispute.
• The judge found that Pitt failed to overcome Jolie's claim of attorney-client privilege over the communications.
• Pitt initially sought 126 documents but narrowed his request to 22 before being denied entirely.
• The ruling is part of a broader legal battle over Jolie's 2021 sale of her stake in Château Miraval to a Stoli Group subsidiary.
• Jolie's attorney characterized the decision as a stop to Pitt's 'pattern of demanding control over anything Angelina.'
• The motion was denied without prejudice, allowing Pitt to potentially revisit the issue with new evidence.