The Brad Pitt controversy is not one story but several running in parallel: Angelina Jolie’s 2016 allegations that he physically and verbally abused her and their children on a private flight, the federal and county investigations that closed without charges, an eight-year divorce that finally settled in December 2024, an active lawsuit over the couple’s French winery, four of his six children moving to drop the Pitt surname, and a separate class-action tied to his New Orleans housing charity. Here is what is alleged, what has been decided, and what is still in court.
The 2016 Private Jet Incident
On September 14, 2016, Pitt, Jolie, and their six children were on a private flight from France to Los Angeles. In an October 2016 interview with the FBI, Jolie alleged that Pitt grabbed her by the head, shook her, grabbed her shoulders, and pushed her into a bathroom wall while yelling, “You’re f**king up this family.” When the children came to the door crying, she said, Pitt yelled, “No, mommy’s not ok. She’s ruining this family. She’s crazy.”1CNN. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt FBI Report
Court filings Jolie submitted in October 2022 went further, alleging that Pitt choked one of the children and struck another in the face when they tried to defend her.2NPR. Brad Pitt Choked One of His Children, Angelina Jolie Says in a Court Filing She also alleged that he poured beer on her and poured beer and red wine on the children during the flight.3The New York Times. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Lawsuit The FBI report noted Jolie provided photographs of a bruise on her elbow, a “rug-burn type wound” on her hand, and an injury to her back.4Los Angeles Times. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie FBI Documents 2016 Private Plane Incident After landing, Jolie said, Pitt prevented her and the children from leaving the plane for roughly 20 minutes.1CNN. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt FBI Report
Jolie filed for divorce five days later.5People. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Finalize Divorce Settlement
What the Investigations Found
Because the alleged conduct happened on an aircraft, the FBI opened a case. The bureau reviewed Jolie’s account, the photographs, and handwritten descriptions from the children.1CNN. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt FBI Report In November 2016, it closed the investigation without charges. An FBI spokesperson said, “The FBI has conducted a review of the circumstances and will not pursue further investigation. No charges have been filed in this matter.”4Los Angeles Times. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie FBI Documents 2016 Private Plane Incident The report stated the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI agreed that charges would not be pursued “due to several factors,” which were not publicly detailed. An investigating agent had submitted a statement of probable cause to the chief of the criminal division in Los Angeles before the case was declined.
The Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services ran a parallel eight-week inquiry. In November 2016, it cleared Pitt, concluding that although there had been physical contact during an argument between Pitt and his teenage son Maddox, it did not rise to child abuse.6Variety. Brad Pitt Child Abuse Allegations Cleared A Jolie representative said DCFS was satisfied with “safeguards put in place that will allow the children to heal,” including a custody arrangement providing Pitt with “therapeutic visits.”7Vanity Fair. Brad Pitt Cleared Child Abuse Investigation Jolie later filed a Freedom of Information Act suit against the FBI seeking more documents; she dropped it in September 2024.8USA Today. Angelina Jolie FBI Lawsuit Brad Pitt Plane Incident
How Pitt Has Responded
Pitt has not spoken publicly in detail about the flight. His divorce attorney, Anne Kiley, said in October 2022, “Brad has owned everything he’s responsible for from day one — unlike the other side — but he’s not going to own anything he didn’t do.” She called Jolie’s public accounts “personal attack and misrepresentation” and said Pitt would “continue to respond in court as he has consistently done.”9The Globe and Mail. Brad Pitt Will Keep Responses to Abuse Allegations in Court Kiley also pointed to the outcomes of the FBI and DCFS reviews, saying “the various public authorities the other side has tried to use against him over the past six years have made their own independent decisions.”10Today. Brad Pitt’s Lawyer Responds to Angelina Jolie’s Abuse Allegations His representatives have not publicly specified which parts of Jolie’s account he disputes and which he accepts responsibility for.
In a 2017 GQ Style interview, Pitt spoke about his drinking. “I was boozing too much. It’s just become a problem,” he said, adding that he had been sober for six months and was in therapy. He described the aftermath of the divorce as “self-inflicted” and did not address the specific abuse allegations.11GQ. Brad Pitt GQ Style Cover Story
The Divorce and Custody Fight
The divorce became one of the longest in Hollywood history. The couple was declared legally single in 2019 through a bifurcated process, but financial and custody matters dragged on for years.12The Guardian. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Divorce Settlement
A privately retained judge, John W. Ouderkirk, issued a tentative custody ruling favorable to Pitt that would have given him roughly equal time. Jolie challenged it, arguing Ouderkirk had failed to disclose ongoing professional ties to Pitt’s attorneys. In July 2021, the California Court of Appeal disqualified Ouderkirk, voiding his ruling.13Justia. Jolie v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, B308958 In October 2021, the California Supreme Court declined to hear Pitt’s appeal.14Los Angeles Times. California Supreme Court Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Divorce A final divorce settlement was reached on December 30, 2024, more than eight years after Jolie’s initial filing. Her attorney, James Simon, said Jolie was “exhausted, but she is relieved this one part is over.” The terms were not made public.15BBC. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Reach Divorce Settlement
The Château Miraval Winery Lawsuit
The couple’s French winery has produced a separate and still-active legal fight. In October 2021, Jolie sold her 50% interest in Nouvel, the holding company controlling her Miraval stake, to Tenute del Mondo, a Stoli Group subsidiary, for $64 million.16Courthouse News. Russian-Born Billionaire Back on the Hook in Winery Fight Between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Pitt sued in February 2022, alleging Jolie violated an agreement requiring mutual consent before either sold.5People. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Finalize Divorce Settlement
Jolie’s filings tell a different story. Her attorneys allege that Pitt had agreed to buy her share for $54.5 million, then stepped back after she filed sealed custody documents in March 2021 describing domestic violence, and afterward conditioned any purchase on a sweeping non-disparagement agreement that would have barred her from speaking publicly about the alleged abuse.17Courthouse News. Jolie Motion to Compel Responses Her team calls that economic coercion designed to silence her. Pitt’s attorney Anne Kiley told the New York Times that during divorce talks a Jolie lawyer proposed neither party make derogatory public statements, that Pitt’s side agreed to discuss it, and that Jolie’s side never followed up.3The New York Times. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Lawsuit
A Los Angeles court has dismissed five of Pitt’s seven original claims, including tort claims that would have allowed punitive damages, but left an implied contract claim and a quantum meruit claim tied to his argument that he contributed more labor to the winery.18ET Online. Judge Dismisses Majority of Brad Pitt’s Claims Against Angelina Jolie in Court Nouvel, now controlled by Stoli, filed a $250 million countersuit alleging Pitt misused winery funds on “vanity projects” and tried to transfer valuable trademarks to a business partner for free.19Spectrum Local News. Angelina Jolie’s Former Company Countersues Brad Pitt in Winery Dispute Most of those counterclaims are moving forward.
In June 2026, a California appeals court reversed a prior ruling that had dismissed Stoli founder Yuri Shefler from the lawsuit, finding he had directed his conduct toward California by personally guaranteeing $39 million of the purchase price and directing negotiations.16Courthouse News. Russian-Born Billionaire Back on the Hook in Winery Fight Between Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie A trial court ordered depositions of key Stoli executives. Trial is expected in August 2027.20USA Today. Brad Pitt Angelina Jolie Winery Dispute Chateau Miraval
The Children Dropping the Pitt Surname
Four of Pitt and Jolie’s six children have moved away from his last name. Shiloh petitioned to become Shiloh Jolie on her 18th birthday in May 2024, and the change was approved by August 2024.21People. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt Son Maddox Files to Drop Pitt From Last Name Maddox filed paperwork in May 2026 to become Maddox Chivan Jolie, having already dropped Pitt from his film credits.22TMZ. Maddox Jolie Changing Name Zahara has introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie, and Vivienne was credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Broadway playbill for “The Outsiders” in 2024.23E! Online. Angelina Jolie Brad Pitt’s Son Maddox Files to Drop Pitt From Last Name A source close to Pitt told People he is “aware and upset” and that “reminders that he’s lost his children, is of course not easy for Brad.”
The Make It Right Foundation
A separate controversy involves Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation, established in 2007 to build sustainable homes in New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward after Hurricane Katrina. In 2018, homeowners filed a class-action lawsuit citing severe defects, including mold, structural decay, electrical fires, and gas leaks.24The Architect’s Newspaper. Brad Pitt Make It Right Foundation Sues Former Executive Director Of about 109 homes completed, only around six were reported in good condition; two had been demolished and six abandoned.25Common Edge. What Went Wrong With Brad Pitt’s Make It Right
A proposed $20.5 million settlement in 2022 collapsed when Global Green, the nonprofit designated to administer the funds, could not produce the capital.26Axios. Make It Right Lawsuit Payout Brad Pitt Foundation New Orleans Hurricane Katrina In October 2019, a federal judge denied Pitt’s request to be removed from the case, citing his central role as founder and primary fundraiser. The foundation itself has sued its architect of record and a former executive director, alleging mismanagement.24The Architect’s Newspaper. Brad Pitt Make It Right Foundation Sues Former Executive Director
Where Pitt Stands Now
Pitt continues to work steadily. He starred in the Apple-produced racing drama F1, a nearly $250 million production directed by Joseph Kosinski and co-produced by Lewis Hamilton, released in 2025.27The Wall Street Journal. F1 Movie Apple Brad Pitt He has been in a relationship with jewelry designer Ines de Ramon since 2022 and has been living with her since 2024; sources say the couple has no plans to marry.28Page Six. Brad Pitt Has No Plans to Marry Girlfriend Ines de Ramon
The 2016 abuse allegations were never criminally prosecuted, but they sit at the center of the Miraval litigation, where Jolie’s team argues that Pitt’s demand for a broad non-disclosure agreement was an effort to buy her silence about the flight. That trial is scheduled for August 2027.