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    Angelina Jolie tried to turn her children against Brad Pitt, fired bodyguard tells court in $350 million vineyard fight

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    ANGELINA Jolie tried to turn her kids against Brad Pitt by telling them to shun the star during custody visits, a court has been told.A former bodyguard told the Los Angeles Superior Court in a declaration about claims that the Maleficent actress, 48, tried to drive a wedge between her estranged husband, 60, and their six children.A former bodyguard of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt testified against the actress in their bitter court battleCredit: GettyThe former Hollywood power couple are battling over Angelina Jolie’s sale of her stake in the Chateau Miraval winery in FranceCredit: AFPBodyguard Tony Webb told the court that Jolie fired him after two of his security personnel sided with Brad PittCredit: GettyFormer security forces soldier Tony Webb told the court that Jolie tried to turn her six children against Brad PittCredit: GettyIt came as part of a legal case regarding Jolie’s disputed 2021 sale of her stake in the Chateau Miraval winery in France that the former Hollywood power couple owned together.Former British SAS special forces soldier Tony Webb explained in his declaration that he had worked for the family for more than 20 years beginning in 2000.He says Jolie fired him after two of his security personnel sided with Pitt following the couple’s acrimonious split and agreed to testify against her in custody hearings.Falklands War veteran Webb explained that he had set up SRS Global Security after retiring from military service and that he provided protection to the couple and their kids through the company.Webb said he typically took his orders from Jolie’s personal assistant, Michael Vieira.Discussing Pitt and Jolie’s marriage breakdown, he said he became aware that they were divorcing in 2016.He said, “After their divorce, SRS Global and I continued to provide security for Ms. Jolie, Mr. Pitt, and their children.“Shortly before two SRS Global contractors testified in a court case that I understood was related to Ms. Jolie and Mr. Pitt’s divorce and the custody of their children, Mr. Vieira called me on my cell phone.Most read in Celebrity“Mr. Vieira told me that he had heard that two contractors who provided personal security for Ms. Jolie through SRS Global might be testifying in the family court case.“Mr. Vieira then asked me to stop the two individuals from testifying.“I understood that Mr. Vieira was making this request on behalf of Ms. Jolie.”Brad Pitt claims he was ‘bullied & threatened’ by Russian tycoon in $350 million vineyard battle against Angelina JolieWebb says that he explained to Vieira that he had “no power” to stop the pair from testifying because they were independent contractors rather than employees of his company.He went on, “Mr. Vieira then told me that his call should serve as a reminder that those individuals had entered into non-disclosure agreements with Ms. Jolie and that I should remind them of that, and that if they testified in the family law case, Ms. Jolie would sue them.“I communicated this message to the two individuals over the phone and they both told me that they planned to testify.“One of those two individuals, Ross Foster, specified that he intended to testify regardless of the NDA if he received a court subpoena.“When Mr. Foster told me this, he also told me that if asked, he would testify about statements he overheard that Ms. Jolie made to the children encouraging them to avoid spending time with Mr. Pitt during custody visits.”Take good care. As ever. AngieEx-bodyguard Tony Webb said Angelina Jolie last wrote to him.Webb said Jolie’s personal assistant later repeated the threat to sue the bodyguards during a follow-up call.The former soldier’s claims may prove legally problematic for Jolie because NDAs typically should not be used to stop witnesses from coming forward in court proceedings.Despite the alleged threats, Webb said he understood that both of his colleagues went on to testify under subpoena, leading to Jolie terminating SRS in June 2021.Webb wrote to Jolie on June 16, 2021, thanking her for employing him.He said, “I also wrote that I was sad that we had become distant over the past few years and that I knew that she blamed me for what my independent contractors had done but that because they were self-employed I could not control what they did or said as they were not employed directly by SRS Global.”In their last exchange, Jolie simply responded ‘Take good care. As ever. Angie.’”The bodyguard’s explosive claims are the latest chapter in the so-called War of the Rosé over ownership of the Chateau Miraval winery.Pitt is asking the Los Angeles Superior Court to reverse Jolie’s October 2021 sale of her stake in the vineyard in Provence, France, to Russian booze tycoon Yuri Shefler.He claims it breached an agreement the pair had to offer the other first refusal on a sale if either of them wanted out.Jolie claims she backed out of selling to Pitt because he asked her to sign an “unconscionable” NDA as part of the deal to sell her shares to him.But Pitt’s lawyers say her claims are merely an attempt to “rationalize” her betrayal of the Oscar winner and that just six months later she proposed that Pitt sign an NDA as part of their divorce talks.They now want her to come clean about NDAs she asked others to sign so the court can test her credibility.Pitt’s legal team argue that Webb’s evidence suggests that Jolie found NDAs much less “unconscionable” when she was demanding them from others.Webb said in his declaration that he received instructions, which “included Mr. Vieira telling me to present people with non-disclosure agreements on behalf of Ms. Jolie and obtain their signatures.”“For example, Mr. Vieira often asked to provide hotel staff with non-disclosure agreements and to get signatures from them,” Webb said.Pitt’s motion on NDA disclosure is expected to be decided at a hearing on May 16.In a separate legal filing, Pitt’s attorney, John Berlinski, accused Jolie of using NDAs in an “improper manner.”He added: “Jolie’s use of NDAs to silence her security detail and attempt to prevent them from testifying truthfully in court about what actually happened behind closed doors bears a striking resemblance to Jolie’s allegations in this case that Pitt improperly used an NDA to ‘silence’ her.”Berlinski added that Webb’s evidence “reveals that Jolie is the one who has weaponized NDAs in an effort to prevent an open airing of the couple’s family issues – the very thing that Jolie claims was so sacred to her that Pitt’s proposed NDA caused her to renege on her deal to sell to him.”John Berlinski said: “The documents will show that Jolie had a long history of using NDAs for business purposes and that they were a routine aspect of her professional life making it highly likely that she understood Pitt and Perrin’s legitimate business reasons for including it.”READ MORE SUN STORIESBerlinski went on to accuse Jolie of trying to gain a “tactical advantage” by “turning this business dispute into a sideshow about family court matters.”A ruling on who will remain in control of Chateau Miraval is not expected this year.An aerial view of the couple’s lavish Chateau Miraval winery in Correns, France, near BrignolesCredit: Getty – Contributor More

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      Angelina Jolie’s daughter Shiloh ‘wants to move in with Brad Pitt’ as insiders wonder: will toxic battle ever end?

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      ANGELINA JOLIE was all smiles when she stepped out with her mini-me daughter Vivienne this week but, behind the scenes, her grip on the Jolie-Pitt brood is beginning to wane.The six children have been living with Angelina, 48, in her £20million Los Angeles mansion following her bitter break up from ex-husband Brad Pitt, 60.Angelina Jolie is all smiles as she steps out with daughter VivienneCredit: TheImageDirect.comBut daughter Shiloh reportedly wants to move in with dad Brad PittCredit: BackGridIt is the latest incident in a very toxic Brangelina breakupCredit: GettyBut insiders now claim Shiloh wants to move into her dad’s £6million mansion in Los Feliz, California, when she turns 18 next month.The revelation will be a huge blow to Angelina, in the drawn-out toxic battle between the exes since their split in 2016, which is one of the worst celebrity break-ups Hollywood has ever seen.It has left showbiz observers wondering if it will ever end.Especially after Brad recently branded her a ‘hypocrite’ during a bitter legal battle over their French vineyard The Chateau Miraval estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rosé, following Ange’s sale of her $64million (£50 million) share to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler in 2021.READ MORE ON BRANGELINA SPLIT‘Unconscionable NDA’Brad previously slammed her decision to sell her half, saying she was forcing him to partner up with “a stranger”.Despite its commercial value, Miraval holds sentimental value for the Bullet Train actor.One major legal battle involves French vineyard The Chateau MiravalCredit: XposureAnge sold it to Russian oligarch Yuri Shefler, far left, back in 2021Credit: Rex FeaturesBrad Pitt claims he was ‘bullied & threatened’ by Russian tycoon in $350 million vineyard battle against Angelina Jolie“Pitt and Jolie purchased the château as a home to share with their children and the vineyard as a family business,” his lawyer said.“They agreed they would never sell their respective interests in Miraval without the other’s consent.”Most read in CelebrityJust days ago, the bitter row hit the head-lines again after sources close to Brad blasted Angelina for filing explosive court documents.Angelina’s lawyers said: “While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well.“Jolie then immediately left him.”During that notorious flight, Angelina sensationally claimed Brad grabbed her by the head and shook her before striking two of their children when they tried to intervene. Brad was even accused of pouring beer and red wine over them.Now Angelina is claiming that she walked out of earlier talks to sell her stake of the winery to Brad for $54million (£43million) because he had tried to coerce her into signing an “unconscionable” non-disclosure agreement in an attempt to “control her”.But Brad’s camp hit back, alleging that she routinely enforced similar confidentiality agreements on her own staff.His legal team filed a motion at LA Superior Court on Friday asking Angelina to disclose other NDAs she entered into with third parties, which could undermine her defence. The NDA Jolie was asked to sign is a standard business contract designed to protect the asset being sold, in this case her stake in Chateau MiravalInsider close to Brad PittThey argued that Angelina’s objection to the NDA was merely a smokescreen to “rationalise” her betrayal of him.“This case isn’t about what took place on a plane in 2016,” an insider close to Brad said.“It’s about whether they had an agreement not to sell their interests in the winery and family home without the other’s consent.“That’s what Brad and his team are focused on, and so far the legal momentum has been on their side.“The NDA Jolie was asked to sign is a standard business contract designed to protect the asset being sold, in this case her stake in Chateau Miraval.“It’s unclear why she finds this so unconscionable when her own lawyers suggested a mutually binding gagging clause as part of their divorce just a few months later.”But Angelina’s legal team claim they possess evidence regarding “Pitt’s pattern of physical abuse within the family and his exertion of control over Jolie,” alleging that the kids are still suffering “significant and ongoing post-traumatic stress”.Lawyers representing the Tomb Raider actress cite a “pattern of abuse, manipulation, and concealment” and claim she has damning “testimony, emails, photographs, and other evidence” that, they argue, will unravel Brad’s argument if the case proceeds.The court documents characterise the actor’s denials of physical abuse as “gaslighting” and claim he exercised “coercive” financial control over her throughout their winery dispute.Brad has consistently refuted all allegations of physical abuse and faced no charges following an FBI investigation into the incident aboard the flight.The pair met in 2004 on the set of Mr And Mrs Smith, while Brad was still married to Friends star Jennifer Aniston.When Brad and Jen filed for divorce, he quickly moved on to a romance with Jolie, fanning the flames he’d cheated on Jen.While Brad emerged from the scandal relatively unscathed, Angelina was seen as temptress who stole Brad.They dated for ten years before they tied the knot at the Miraval estate in 2014 — six years after purchasing it.Angelina wore an Atelier Versace dress embroidered with dozens of designs from her children’s drawings for her wedding to Brad.Brad and Angelina as Hollywood’s golden couple back in 2009Credit: GettyAngelina with kids Maddox, Vivienne, Knox, Shiloh and ZaharaCredit: GettyBut, less than two years later, Hollywood’s once golden couple filed for divorce.In April 2019, a judge awarded Brad 50/50 custody of their six children Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 17, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15, during their acrimonious divorce. A decision that reportedly enraged the actress.“She will never forgive him,” a source close to Angelina said at the time. “She maintains it’s far from over and still believes that justice will prevail.”Angelina has told of how her children ‘saved’ her.“I was 26 when I became a mother,” she said. “My entire life changed. Having children saved me — and taught me to be in this world differently. “I think, recently, I would’ve gone under in a much darker way had I not wanted to live for them.”During the aftermath of the divorce, Angelina reportedly sold her share of the winery to Shefler – a Russian business empire owns the Stolichnaya vodka brand.According to Brad’s lawyers, this decision violated an agreement between the former spouses that Angelina would give Brad the opportunity of first refusal.Having children saved me — and taught me to be in this world differentlyAngelina JolieBrad’s lawyer, John Berlinski, argued in recently filed legal documents, seen by The U.S. Sun, that any non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) Angelina had imposed on other parties would provide insight into the validity of her reasons for withdrawing from negotiations to sell her stake in Chateau Miraval to Brad.“The scope, terms, and subject matter covered by the NDAs that Jolie has signed or asked a third party to sign are probative of whether Jolie truly withdrew from the negotiations with Pitt because of the NDA he requested, as she asserts,” Berlinski wrote.“By way of example only, if Jolie has required others to sign NDAs that were at least as broad as the one she claims was so ‘unconscionable’ here, it would severely undermine her claimed excuse for terminating negotiations with Pitt and covertly negotiating with Stoli.“Nor is the existence of these documents speculative.READ MORE SUN STORIES“Jolie adamantly refuses to produce the many other NDAs that she signed or requested from others during the relevant time period, along with related documents, presumably because she knows they will severely undermine her defenses.”While we don’t know the outcome of the court case yet, the Brangelina bullet train doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. 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      Brad Pitt accuses Angelina Jolie of dragging up abuse claims against him as a ‘smokescreen’ in $350million vineyard war

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      BRAD Pitt has accused ex-wife Angelina Jolie of dragging up physical abuse claims against him in the ongoing legal war over their French winery.Sources close to the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star blasted Angelina after she filed bombshell legal documents on Thursday. Brad Pitt is locked in a bitter legal battle with his ex Angelina Jolie over their French wineryCredit: GettyJolie accused Pitt on Thursday of being physically abusive to her long before the fracas on a plane that ended their marriage in 2016Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via GettA friend of Pitt told The U.S. Sun that Jolie’s accusations were a ‘smokescreen’ to distract from their battle over Chateau MiravalCredit: AFPThe Maleficent actress claimed in the filing that Brad had been physically abusive towards her well before the fracas on a September 2016 flight from France to Los Angeles that ended their marriage. The accusation came as Brad, 60, and Angelina, 48, are locked in an acrimonious $350 million court battle over her decision to secretly sell her stake in their Chateau Miraval vineyard and home for $64m to Russian booze tycoon Yuri Shefler in 2021.In Thursday’s filing, Angelina claimed she walked out of earlier talks to sell the winery to Brad for $54 million because he had tried to make her sign an “unconscionable” non-disclosure agreement to gag her.Pitt’s lawyers fired back less than 24 hours later, telling the Los Angeles Superior Court that Jolie’s NDA objection was really just a cover story to “rationalize” her betrayal of him.His legal team filed a motion asking Jolie to disclose other NDAs she entered into with third parties, which they say could undermine her defense.A source close to the actor told The U.S. Sun that Angelina’s claims were an attempt to distract from the central issues in the Chateau Miraval case.”This case isn’t about what took place on a plane in 2016,” the friend said.“It’s about whether they had an agreement not sell their interests in the winery and family home without the other’s consent. Most read in Celebrity“That’s what Brad and his team are focused on, and so far the legal momentum has been on their side.“The NDA Jolie was asked to sign is a standard business contract designed to protect the asset being sold – in this case her stake in Chateau Miraval. “It’s unclear why she finds this so unconscionable when her own lawyers suggested a mutually binding gagging clause as part of their divorce just a few months later.”In their filing on Thursday, Angelina’s lawyers said, “While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well. “Jolie then immediately left him.”The exes bought the 1,300-acre Miraval estate in Provence, Southern France, in 2008 and married there in 2014.She signed the deal with Shefler – whose business empire owns the Stolichnaya vodka brand – shortly after a judge granted Brad 50/50 custody of their children as part of their bitter divorce.The NDA Jolie was asked to sign is a standard business contract designed to protect the asset being sold – in this case her stake in Chateau Miraval. Source close to Brad PittIt allegedly breached an agreement that she would offer Brad first refusal and not sell without his consent.Brad’s lawyer John Berlinski argued in the legal documents filed today and seen by The U.S. Sun that any NDAs Angelina had asked other parties to sign would show whether she is telling the truth about why she withdrew from negotiations to sell her share of Chateau Miraval to Brad.“The scope, terms, and subject matter covered by the NDAs that Jolie has signed or asked a third party to sign are probative of whether Jolie truly withdrew from the negotiations with Pitt because of the NDA he requested, as she asserts,” Berlinski wrote.“By way of example only, if Jolie has required others to sign NDAs that were at least as broad as the one she claims was so ‘unconscionable’ here, it would severely undermine her claimed excuse for terminating negotiations with Pitt and covertly negotiating with Stoli. “Nor is the existence of these documents speculative.“Jolie adamantly refuses to produce the many other NDAs that she signed or requested from others during the relevant time period, along with related documents, presumably because she knows they will severely undermine her defenses.”Brad is trying to reverse Angelina’s sale of her share in Chateau MiravalCredit: Getty – ContributorAngelina sold her stake in Chateau Miraval to Russian booze tycoon Yuri Shefler for $64 million in 2021Credit: RIA NovostiThe court was shown an April 2021 letter from Angelina’s legal team that included her own draft non-disparagement agreement.A further letter from her divorce lawyers six months after she pulled out of the sale suggested an even broader NDA as part of the former Hollywood power couple’s divorce.“If Jolie conditioned her continued employment of an individual on that individual’s agreement to an NDA covering what they witnessed in her home—including her treatment of her children and Pitt—that would be highly probative of whether she truly believed the provision requested by Pitt was an ‘unconscionable gag order,'” Brad’s filing added.“The same is true with respect to any NDA between Jolie and any third party with whom she is in a relationship or who has assisted with the care of the couple’s children“To the extent that Jolie requested this third party’s silence about her family or home life, particularly in a circumstance where there was no business justification, it would speak volumes about whether Jolie actually viewed Pitt’s requested NDA, which was linked to the Miraval business, as the deal-ender she subsequently alleged it to be.”For her part, Angelina argues that NDAs between her and third parties are “not relevant.”WAR OF THE ROSÉSIn recent months Brad has scored a series of legal victories in the so-called War of the Rosés.It included a judgment in Luxembourg that handed him back control of the award-winning vineyard pending further hearings.The Luxembourg court provisionally stripped Shefler, 56, of some of the shares he bought from Angelina, effectively making Brad the majority shareholder. A French court also sided with Brad over documents seized by bailiffs in a raid.And Angelina’s’ efforts to dismiss Brad’s breach of contract claim against her in California were also rejected.READ MORE SUN STORIESBrad has asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to unwind the sale completely, with the arguments over NDAs forming part of that case.A hearing on disclosure will take place on May 16. A full trial is not expected this year.Brad scored a series of legal victories in recent months in the $350 million battle over Chateau MiravalCredit: GettyBrad is celebrating as his Chateau Miraval and its iconic rose have been voted the Most Desirable Provence Rosé Wine in the WorldCredit: The Mega Agency More

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      Angelina Jolie accuses Brad Pitt of physically abusing her long before ‘drunken attack’ on plane in new court documents

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      ANGELINA Jolie says her ex Brad Pitt physically abused her long before his alleged drunken attack on a plane.The actress made the claim in new court documents eight years on from Hollywood’s one-time golden couple’s acrimonious split.Brad Pitt has been accused of abusing Angelina Jolie long before his alleged drunken attack on a planeCredit: Rex FeaturesPitt was accused of choking one of their six children and striking another in the faceCredit: Splash NewsShe has previously accused Pitt of becoming aggressive towards her and their children on a flight following a family holiday in France.But in papers filed late on Thursday, her lawyers state: “While Pitt’s history of physical abuse of Jolie started well before the family’s September 2016 plane trip from France to Los Angeles, this flight marked the first time he turned his physical abuse on the children as well. Jolie then immediately left him.”No details of the alleged abuse before 2016 are given in the papers.But they do say Jolie declined to press charges after the plane incident because she felt “the best course was for Pitt to accept responsibility and help the family recover from the post-traumatic stress he caused”.READ MORE BRAD PITTThe couple got together in 2004 after meeting on the set of spy thriller Mr & Mrs Smith and wed in 2014.But they divorced after Pitt, now 60, was said to have flown into a rage on the Los Angeles-bound private jet.He was accused of choking one of their six children and striking another in the face while pouring beer and wine over them and his wife, now 48.The latest papers were filed to Los Angeles County Superior Court in their ongoing battle over the French winery they once owned together.Most read in ShowbizShe sold her share to a Russian oligarch against his wishes.Angelina Jolie’s rarely-seen son Maddox, 21, looks unrecognizable and ‘so grown up’ as pair attend White House dinnerLegal papers filed by Jolie’s team allege that Pitt demanded she sign a non-disclosure agreement that would have contractually prohibited her from speaking about his physical and emotional abuse of her and their children. More

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      Brad Pitt scores another victory in fight over $350million vineyard with ex Angelina Jolie and ‘won’t be bullied’

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      BRAD Pitt has scored another legal victory in his acrimonious battle with ex Angelina Jolie over their French vineyard.The Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star, 60, is trying to reverse Jolie’s 2021 sale of her stake in the Chateau Miraval winery to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler.Brad Pitt scored another legal victory over his estranged ex-wifeCredit: GettyThe former power couple purchased the 1,300-acre Miraval estate in Provence, Southern France, in 2008Credit: AFPAngelina Jolie secretly sold her stake in the luxury estate to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021Credit: RIA NovostiBrad Pitt and Angelina Jolie married on the estate in 2014Credit: The Mega AgencyThe U.S. Sun can reveal Pitt racked up a win in a French court last week over documents seized by bailiffs in a raid.The judgment is the third in a series of legal setbacks to hit Shefler – branded a “bully” by Pitt – and Jolie in recent months in the so-called War of the Rosé.A source close to Pitt said, “There’s a long way to go in this litigation, but at the moment, the momentum is certainly with Brad.“In recent months, he’s landed three courtroom wins across three different jurisdictions: Luxembourg, the United States, and now France.“From the moment this hostile takeover bid began, he made it clear that he wasn’t going to be bullied – and he meant it.“He has stood his ground and will continue to do what is right.”WINERY RAIDLast week’s ruling by the court in France was related to a raid at the winery in March 2022.Court officers wielding search warrants swooped to seize company documents and IT material after Shefler made claims of malfeasance and misuse of company assets before a commercial judge.Most read in CelebrityFrench law allows businesses in litigation to enter the premises of their adversaries and seize evidence of suspected fraud.But a court later reversed that decision, meaning the dossier of contracts, invoices, and emails remained locked and sealed pending an appeal by Shefler’s drinks empire.Brad Pitt claims he was ‘bullied & threatened’ by Russian tycoon in $350 million vineyard battle against Angelina JolieOn Thursday, the Aix-en-Provence appellate court in France issued a further ruling against Shelfer’s appeal and denied his firm, Nouvel, access to the documents.Presiding Judge Valerie Gerard ruled that Nouvel had no legal standing to ask for the seizure of documents controlled by SA Chateau Miraval – the French company set up by Pitt, which owns the 1,300-acre estate – because it is only an indirect shareholder.Shefler’s firm was also ordered to pay €20,000 euros (around $21,000) in legal costs, and it’s believed the documents will now be returned to Chateau Miraval’s safe.It came after earlier this month, when a judge in Los Angeles rejected Angelina Jolie’s attempts to throw out Pitt’s lawsuit against her.It meant the case cleared a key hurdle to go to trial.And, in November, a court in Luxembourg provisionally stripped vodka tycoon Shefler of some of his shares, effectively making Brad Pitt the majority shareholder.ROSÉ BEGINNINGSPitt and Jolie bought the 1,300-acre Miraval estate in Provence, Southern France, in 2008 and married there in 2014.The celebrity couple then divorced two years later in 2016.Jolie secretly negotiated the sale of her stake to alcohol tycoon Shefler’s group for $64 million through her investment firm Nouvel.She inked the deal with Shefler shortly after a judge granted Pitt 50/50 custody of their children as part of their bitter divorce.It allegedly breached an agreement that she would offer Pitt first refusal and not sell without his consent.’THREATENED’The U.S. Sun revealed last month that Pitt had accused Shefler, 56, of trying to “threaten” him with smears in their battle over Miraval.The actor claimed in court docs that, after “secretly” buying Nouvel, Shefler unilaterally put out a press release announcing their “partnership” and then demanded the pair meet for talks.Pitt says he was “ultimately threatened” if he didn’t cooperate.The legal documents obtained by The U.S. Sun stated: “Shefler personally took action to foster his supposed partnership with Pitt after the transaction closed, writing Pitt repeatedly to bully him into going along.”From the moment this hostile takeover bid began, he made it clear that he wasn’t going to be bullied – and he meant it.Source close to PittPitt sued Jolie in February 2022 over the sale of Nouvel and its 50% stake in Chateau Miraval to a business group controlled by Shefler.In September that year, Nouvel hit back with a cross-complaint against Pitt and is seeking $350 million in damages.Pitt’s legal team claims that Shefler – whose business empire owns the Stolichnaya brand – was desperate to cash in on the star’s “Hollywood celebrity.”READ MORE SUN STORIESShefler claims the court has no jurisdiction to hear a full trial on the matter.His legal team has previously described Pitt as “an actor, not a winemaker” and added that he “deals in illusions, not dirt and grapes.”The Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-stars divorced in 2016, two years after they marriedCredit: Getty More

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      Brad Pitt claims he was ‘bullied & threatened’ by Russian tycoon in $350 million vineyard battle against Angelina Jolie

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      BRAD Pitt has accused his Russian billionaire business rival of trying to “bully” and “threaten” him with smears in their battle over the movie star’s French vineyard. The Oscar-winner, 60, is currently fighting vodka tycoon Yuri Shefler, 56, in court for control of the Chateau Miraval winery he used to own with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. 
      Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie bought the Chateau Miraval estate in Provence, Southern France, in 2008 for $28.4 million and married there in 2014Credit: Getty
      The 1,300-acre estate is at the center of an acrimonious court battle between Brad Pitt and Russian businessman Yuri SheflerCredit: AFP
      Vodka tycoon Yuri Shefler’s business empire includes famous brands such StolichnayaCredit: RIA Novosti
      Pitt is trying to undo the $64 million sale by Jolie, 48, of her share in the vineyard to Shefler through her investment firm Nouvel in 2021.
      The actor claims in new court docs that, after “secretly” buying Nouvel, Shefler unilaterally put out a press release announcing their “partnership” and then demanded the pair meet for talks.
      The Once Upon A Time in Hollywood star says he was “ultimately threatened” if he didn’t cooperate.
      The legal documents exclusively obtained by The U.S. Sun state: “Shefler personally took action to foster his supposed partnership with Pitt after the transaction closed, writing Pitt repeatedly to bully him into going along.”

      The legal filing adds: “Since acquiring Nouvel, Shefler has suggested a meeting between himself and Pitt to ‘discuss the way forward’…
      “At times, Shefler expressed his fervent desire to work with Pitt. 
      “At others, he threatened Pitt based on drummed-up charges of mismanagement at Miraval.”
      The claims were set out by Pitt’s lawyers in a filing earlier this month at the Los Angeles Superior Court.
      Most read in Celebrity
      He says the 2021 deal was in breach of Jolie’s earlier promise to offer him first refusal if she ever sold up.
      ‘Underrated’ Brad Pitt film surges to top of Netflix charts as fans rave over ‘best war movie ever made’
      Pitt sued Jolie in February 2022 over the sale of Nouvel and its 50% stake in Chateau Miraval to a business group controlled by Shefler.
      In September that year Nouvel hit back with a cross-complaint against Pitt and is seeking $350 million in damages.
      Pitt’s legal team claims that Shefler – whose business empire owns the Stolichnaya vodka brand – was desperate to cash in on the star’s “Hollywood celebrity”. 
      The new court docs allege that the businessman wanted to “elbow his way into a partnership between Pitt and Jolie—two California-based celebrities—in order to profit from Pitt’s fame”.
      The papers also set out an example of correspondence sent by Shefler to Pitt on December 11, 2021. 
      They state: “He apologized for ‘catching Pitt by surprise by entering his Miraval Empire,’ and asked Pitt to ‘trust me and rely upon me’ as his new ‘partner.’  
      “But, Shefler warned, if Pitt did not bend to his desires, Shefler would ‘be protecting his interest and would not hesitate to take that process until the very end.’
      “And he has made good on that threat: since the transaction, Shefler has leveraged Nouvel — the California LLC he now controls — to sue Pitt and attempt a hostile takeover of Château Miraval.”
      Shefler claims the court in California has no jurisdiction to hear a full trial on the matter.
      His legal team has previously described Pitt as “an actor, not a winemaker” and added that he “deals in illusions, not dirt and grapes”.
      Meanwhile, a European court recently reportedly handed Pitt a partial victory when it stripped Shefler of 10% of his shares, effectively making Pitt the majority shareholder once again.
      The court in Luxembourg – where Chateau Miraval’s holding company is based – gave control of shares gifted by Pitt to Jolie in 2013 to a court-appointed receiver. 
      Pitt and Jolie bought the 1,300-acre estate in Provence, Southern France, in 2008 for $28.4 million and married there in 2014. 
      The vineyard has been highly profitable and even produced an award-winning rosé.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The former Hollywood power couple – who share six kids – split up in 2016 but have yet to finalize their divorce. 
      It is believed a final settlement may be close after the pair last week submitted financial documents to court. 
      Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt split up in 2016 but have yet to finalize their divorceCredit: Getty
      Chateau Miraval, seen here in an aerial photo, has produced an award-winning sparkling rosé wineCredit: AFP – Getty More

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      Brad Pitt has ‘awkward’ run-in with Angelina Jolie’s protective brother and dad at LA art show amid exes’ nasty divorce

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      BRAD Pitt came face-to-face with his ex Angelina Jolie’s brother and father at a small gallery exhibition in Beverly Hills as the stars’ never-ending divorce saga continues. The Oscar-winning leading man, who recently turned 60, opted for a low-key date night with new girlfriend Ines de Ramon and accidentally ran straight into his former in-laws.
      The actor appeared in good spirits as he wrapped his arm around a friend at the showCredit: instagram/lawlormedia
      Brad’s former father-in-law Jon Voight and his son James Haven were seen nearby with Britney Spears’ ex Sam AsgahriCredit: instagram/lawlormedia
      Angelina Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 and he’s since moved on with jewelry designer Ines de RamonCredit: Getty
      The U.S. Sun obtained photographs from inside the show at the Gagosian Gallery in Beverly Hills on Friday for an exhibition by his Moneyball director, Bennett Miller.
      Brad was seen laughing and joking with a pal in one snap as he stood just a few feet away from Angelina’s dad, Jon Voight, and brother, James Haven.
      An eyewitness from the event revealed, “Plenty of people noticed how awkward it was that Brad was in the same room as Ange’s family, and it’s not a big space.
      “I’m told James was amicable and acknowledged Brad, but I didn’t see them talking, they were mostly stood apart for the duration of the event speaking with friends.”

      The source added there were plenty of whispers about the run-in and it’s believed Brad was unaware they’d be in attendance at the popular opening.
      “Britney Spears’ ex Sam Asghari was also there and went up and asked for a selfie with Brad, mentioning how much the singer loved him,” the source added.
      “He then switched sides and went over and was seen chatting to James and Jon for a while.”
      DATE NIGHT
      Sam shared a selfie with Brad after the event on Instagram, captioning it: “At the #bennettmiller @gagosian with some cool people last night. Also got alot of skin care tips from Brad Pitt #notwaxfigure.”
      Most read in The Sun
      Angelina has had a rocky relationship with her father, 85-year-old actor Jon Voight, over the years, who previously wished Brad well amid their divorce.
      In a video obtained by The Sun, he said, “He [Brad] has had some difficulties with alcohol and I hope that he takes care of things and I pray for the guy. The kids are coping as best they can.”
      His son, James, is said to have been a huge support to his sister amid the divorce and often looks after the showbiz couple’s three biological and three adopted children.
      Speaking to “90who10” podcast co-host Jessica Entner earlier this month, he said he stood by Angelina as her personal life “unfolded in the public eye,” and he altered his life to be there for her.
      “That’s where it all started, it started with the protection of her and her children — my nieces and nephews.”
      “I set my life up so I can be present with whatever the situation,” he added. “I want to be there for them or for her — whatever she’s going through.”
      Brad arrived with Ines in a black SUV and was wearing a leather brown bomber jacket with fur trim, a brown t-shirt baggy denim jeans, and dark suede boots.
      CUSTODY BATTLE
      His jewelry designer girlfriend, 32, looked chic in fitted leather black pants, black boots, a white tank top, and a beige knitted cardigan for her date night.
      She is not believed to have chatted with Angelina’s family during the event but the couple was “polite and acknowledged them.”
      The pair have been linked since February last year and recently celebrated his milestone birthday in Paris at the five-star Bulgari Hotel where they booked a luxury suite, according to reports.
      Although a court declared Brad and Angelina legally single, their divorce is still rumbling and is yet to be finalized after she filed back in September 2016.
      They are still engaged in a bitter custody battle over their six children and he has not been pictured publicly with them since the split.
      In court documents, Angelina alleged Brad had a drunken altercation with their eldest son Maddox, 19, which he denied.
      But he did vow to get sober after the split and spent 18 months attending sessions with Alcoholics Anonymous, according to reports.
      The actor told the New York Times in 2019, “I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges.”
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      The Sun previously revealed Brad and Angelina have spent more than a million dollars each on the long-running court case.
      The former showbiz couple are still fighting over custody of their six childrenCredit: Getty
      James Haven has been seen looking after Angelina’s six kids and acts as a nanny to his nephews and niecesCredit: Getty More

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      Brad Pitt blasts son Pax’s ‘depressing’ Instagram post as pals reveal exactly what he thinks of his kids

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      HE has been branded a “world-class a**hole” by his son but Brad Pitt is fighting back.In another twist amid the bitter demise of his marriage to Angelina Jolie, it emerged this week that Brad had been described as a “terrible and despicable person” by Pax, 19.
      Brad Pitt was branded a ‘world-class a**hole’ by his son PaxCredit: Getty
      Angelina Jolie with the couple’s children Knox, Vivienne, Pax, Shiloh, Zahara and Maddox
      The A-list pair in happier times on the red carpet in 2009Credit: Getty
      In the youngster’s Instagram message rant in 2020, Pax, then 16, went on to claim the A-lister made his kids “tremble in fear”.
      But last night the 59-year-old star slammed the allegations as a “depressing” smear.
      A member of the Oscar-winning actor’s inner circle told the The Sun: “Brad has great respect for all of his children and it’s depressing to see this dragged up.
      “It’s frustrating to see Brad being painted as some kind of ‘bad person’ when it’s far from the truth.
      Read More on Brad Pitt
      “He chooses to keep a dignified silence and that speaks volumes.”
      But other sources claim half his children don’t see him at all.
      Brad and ex-wife Angelina, 48, have six kids — they adopted Pax, plus Maddox, now 22, and Zahara, 18, and also have their biological children Shiloh, 17, and 15-year-old twins Knox and ­Vivienne.
      Since an ill-fated flight brought their high-profile showbiz marriage to an end, Brad has struggled to repair the terrible damage that was done.
      Most read in Celebrity
      Brad had got into an explosive row with Angelina in front of their kids on a private jet in September 2016.
      It has long been rumoured that during it, Brad physically assaulted Maddox while drunk.
      Just days later, Angelina filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable ­diff­erences — and got custody of their kids.
      And as the bitter divorce rumbled on, daughters Zahara and Shiloh dropped the Pitt from their once double-barrelled Jolie-Pitt surnames.
      While Maleficent star Angelina, 48, is often seen out with her children, Brad has not been spotted in public with them.
      There doesn’t even seem enough room for them all to stay at his new Los Angeles pad.
      In April, he downsized from a ­masive family compound, with its own skateboard track, to a three-bedroom house.
      It could be argued that custody restrictions imposed on Pitt by a court would limit the amount of time he could hang out with his offspring.
      But his three adopted children are now old enough to do as they please — and they choose to be with Mum rather than Dad.
      ‘So proud’
      The insider told The Sun: “As far as Maddox, Pax and Zahara go, the word is that they are totally in support of their mother and Brad doesn’t hear from them these days at all — certainly not the boys, and it’s been that way for a very long time.”
      This is all very different from the public image Brad tries to portray of him and his children.
      When Zahara started college last autumn he spoke about being “so proud” of her.
      The source close to the warring pair, though, suggests Brad still has contact with his biological kids, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne.
      “He still sees Shiloh and the twins whenever he can, though not as often as he would like.”
      The multi-millionaire has fought a long, bitter and expensive battle to try to gain equal custody rights with Angelina.
      And in May 2021, a judge ruled he could jointly share access.
      But just a few months later that was overturned following an appeal by Jolie, on the grounds that the judge had financial connections to Brad’s legal team.
      None of that stops Brad from seeing the children under supervision, which he has to book in advance.
      Yet, despite being followed by paparazzi almost daily, the actor has not been snapped in their company.
      None of the string of beautiful women the heartthrob has dated since his marriage ended is believed to have met his kids either.
      Insiders reported that model Ines de Ramon, 30, who he has been in a relationship with for a year, has still not been introduced to them.
      He certainly wasn’t shy about being seen out with his brood when he was still with Angelina.
      Brad, Angelina and the kids on a family trip to Tokyo in 2011Credit: Getty
      The Sun’s story on Pax’s tirade on Instagram
      The proud dad was often snapped beaming with his kids on red carpets, at football matches or at airports.
      All that changed as Brad and Angelina’s marriage disintegrated around 2015.
      The couple are said to have tried to keep their blistering rows from the children, but that became impossible in the confines of a private jet
      In a report filed by the FBI about the 2016 incident, Angelina claimed Brad yelled at her before pulling her into the toilet where he pushed his then wife against the wall and punched the ceiling repeatedly.
      When one of their brood tried to protect their mum, Brad is alleged to have “choked one of the children and struck another in the face”.
      The report said he then poured beer on his family as they tried to sleep.
      Brad’s representatives have always denied this version of events and an investigation by the US authorities concluded that no charges should be brought.
      But following the break-up, Brad joined Alcoholics Anonymous and he has spoken about drinking too heavily for much of his life.
      Pax’s private Instagram post in 2020 on Father’s Day suggests their kids experienced problems before and beyond the plane incident.
      He wrote: “You time and time and again prove yourself to be a terrible and despicable person.
      “You have no consideration or empathy toward your four youngest children who tremble in fear when in your presence.
      “You will never understand the damage you have done to my family because you’re incapable of doing so.”
      The children’s closeness to their mum hints at where their allegiances lie.
      While Brad is never seen by their sides, Angelina often is.
      Vivienne is currently working with her mum in New York on a stage musical version of The Outsiders film.
      The youngster is an assistant on the show, which Angelina is ­producing.
      Mother and daughter have been seen laughing at New York’s JFK airport and out shopping for groceries.
      Knox appears to be less interested in following his parents into showbiz, having only provided a voice for Kung Fu Panda 3.
      Shiloh was once very close to her father, but there were signs that had changed when, in 2021, she reportedly took the Pitt part of her name off her private Instagram account.
      She has travelled the world with her mum on various humanitarian projects and took up a dance course in the sun Los Angeles last year.
      After a video of some of her moves was posted online last year, Brad commented: “I love when they find their own way, find things they are interested in and flourish.”
      Brad’s relationship with his adopted children is said to be far frostier.
      When Cambodian orphan Maddox — who Angelina adopted before she began dating Brad — started at university in the South Korean capital Seoul in 2019 a reporter asked the youngster if his relationship with Brad was over for good.
      Maddox replied: “Whatever ­happens, happens.”
      ‘She’ll never forgive’
      Brad is believed to have not visited his son in Korea and was reportedly absent from his 21st birthday celebrations last year.
      When Ethiopian-born Zahara, who was adopted by both Brad and Angelina in 2005, was at an event at Spelman College in Atlanta last week, she omitted Pitt from her name.
      In a video, Zahara said: “My name is Zahara Marley Jolie.”
      Maddox, Pax and Angelina had all flown to Atlanta to mark the moment Zahara joined a social organisation, known as a sorority, at the university.
      Brad, who wasn’t there, had said when she started as a freshman at the university last year: “She’s so smart.
      “It’s an exciting and beautiful time to find her own way and pursue her interests.
      “I’m so proud.”
      Since the marriage breakdown, Brad and Angelina’s careers have taken very different paths.
      He won a best supporting actor Oscar in 2020 for Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and has been in a big production every year, including Babylon and Ad Astra.
      Angelina on the other hand hasn’t acted in a movie since the Marvel’ movie Eternals in 2021 as she has dedicated more of her time to her family.
      Even if Brad does manage to repair things with his children, there seems no chance of him being on talking terms with Angelina ever again.
      Our source concludes: “She will never forgive his behaviour ­during the marriage and believes he’s lucky that people don’t know the full truth in terms of the hell the family went through back then.
      “Brad’s failure to take full res­pon­sibility for this is some­thing he’s got to live with the rest of his life.”
      Couple’s brood
      Maddox Chivan Jolie-Pitt
      Born August 5, 2001 (age 22) in Cambodia; adopted March 10, 2002 by Jolie; adopted early 2006 by Pitt
      Pax Thien Jolie-Pitt
      Born November 29, 2003 (age 19) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; adopted March 15, 2007 by Jolie; adopted February 21, 2008 by Pitt
      Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt
      Born January 8, 2005 (age 18) in Awassa, Ethiopia; adopted July 6, 2005 by Jolie; adopted early 2006 by Pitt
      Shiloh Nouvel Jolie-Pitt
      Born May 27, 2006 (age 17) in Swakopmund, Namibia
      Knox Léon Jolie-Pitt and ­Vivienne Marcheline Jolie-Pitt (twins)
      Born July 12, 2008 (age 15) in Nice, France More

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      Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie’s bizarre list of rules their kids had to live by – including ban on Googling famous parents

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      THE Jolie-Pitt brood have always been tight-lipped about their famous parents.But an explosive post by Brad Pitt’s adopted son Pax, 19, revealed just how fractious his relationship with his father has become. 
      Pax Jolie-Pitt said his famous dad had made his life ‘hell’Credit: Getty
      Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their six children Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, Knox and Vivienne in happier timesCredit: Getty
      In a scathing Instagram post which resurfaced this week, Pax called his dad a ‘world class a**hole’ and a ‘despicable person’. 
      He also accused his dad of giving him ‘hell’ and said his younger siblings ‘tremble in fear’ when their dad is present. 
      The rant – which was posted on Pax’s private Instagram account on Father’s Day 2020 – was also accompanied by a photo of Pitt receiving an Oscar for best supporting actor for his part in Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood.
      It’s no secret relations between Brad and Ange have reached boiling point following their acrimonious divorce in 2016.  
      READ MORE IN FEATURES
      During divorce proceedings, her legal team said the Hollywood star was ’emotionally and physically abusive’ to her and their children on a private jet.
      Pitt allegedly grabbed Jolie by the head and shook her before choking and striking two of their children when they tried to defend her. He was even accused of pouring beer and red wine over them.  
      But no action was taken against Pitt and a judge gave him 50-50 custody of the children after a closed-door trial in which the allegations were aired.
      In the aftermath of their divorce – which was finalised in 2019 – Jolie revealed one of her ‘biggest goals’ was ensuring her beloved children were safe and happy. 
      Most read in Fabulous
      The pair put a bizarre list of rules in place for the kids while they tried to navigate co-parenting and global fame. 
      From a ban on Googling their famous parents to monitored social media accounts – we reveal the strict orders the children have to abide by…
      Diversity lessons
      Angelina Jolie with daughter Zahara and Brad Pitt with Maddox in IndiaCredit: Rex Features
      Jolie’s oldest children, Maddox, 22, Pax, 19 and Zahara, 18, were born in Cambodia, Vietnam and Ethiopia, respectively and adopted by the pair. They also have three biological children, Shiloh, 17, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 15. 
      Diversity is important to Jolie and she wants to teach her children where they came from by travelling to their home countries. 
      “We often travel to Asia, Africa, Europe, where they were born,” the actress told Vogue. “They boys know they’re from Southeast Asia, and they have their food and their music and their friends, and they have a pride particular to them.”
      “But I want them to be just as interested in the history of their sisters’ countries and Mummy’s country so we don’t start dividing,” she said of keeping her family close.
      “Instead of taking Z on a special trip, we all go to Africa and we have a great time.”
      Family therapy
      Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie divorced after two years of marriage and 12 years of being togetherCredit: TheImageDirect.com
      Following Jolie’s messy divorce from Pitt, the Bone Collector actress ensured her children underwent regular therapy sessions to help them digest the split. 
      According to People, an insider said that Jolie and all of her children have started therapy, “It’s been a traumatic situation.”
      “It was hard for all of them. They are used to more activities and more entertainment so it’s difficult for them to just stay at the house. The younger kids don’t understand what’s going on.”
      Monitored social media accounts
      The Hollywood pair wanted to protect their kids by hiring cyber security experts to monitor their accountsCredit: Getty Images
      Jolie is not a huge fan of social media and only recently created an Instagram account.  
      Talking about her kids’ internet use, Angelina told People: “We have someone who monitors that.”
      The cyber security team she and Brad have hired keep an eye on the internet and social media activity of their brood.
      “It’s a scary new world,” she explained. “It’s so beyond what we understand. We wouldn’t even know what to look for.”
      She also explained how glad she is that there was no social media when she was young. “I got in enough trouble,” she said. “It just would have been very documented.”
      While it may sound a bit creepy, the pair insist it is to protect their children.
      Homeschooling
      Angelina doesn’t like the educational system so teaches her kids at homeCredit: AFP or licensors
      While most A-lister kids go to the best prep schools in the US, Jolie decided to homeschool her brood because she wasn’t happy with the educational system. 
      “It bothered me how little I was taught in school,” Jolie said.
      “I do worry about my children’s education. I homeschool partially because they are from around the world and… I didn’t want them to have the same education I had when it came to Vietnam or Cambodia.”
      “They have tutors for all kinds of subjects, including different languages and instruments. The kids are also very physically active. They like soccer and love skateboarding, and also take self-defence classes,” a source added.
      Uninterrupted calls with Brad
      Angelina is not allowed to interrupt calls with Brad and his six childrenCredit: Getty
      In the divorce proceedings, the judge awarded Pitt unrestricted phone access to his children – and Jolie was not allowed to interrupt this time. 
      Pitt must be allowed to have the mobile number of each child and can text and call with them without supervision from Jolie. 
      In the court documents, the judge notes that the children “not having a relationship with their father is harmful to them,” adding that “it is critical that each of them have a healthy and strong relationship with their father and mother.”
      Individual bonding time
      Jolie took a year off work to be with her kids following her split from BradCredit: Rex Features
      After her divorce from Pitt, Jolie stopped working “for over a year” to take care of her children. 
      “Everything will be around the children,” Jolie explained. “I haven’t worked for over a year now because they needed me home. Everything just stopped.”
      One-on-one time with each of her six children is important to Jolie, so the kids have to carve out a bit of time a day to spend with her. 
      “I schedule individual time with each of the kids like a crazy person,” Jolie told Vogue.
      Jolie took her middle son Pax as her guest to the Golden Globes in 2018 as a way to spend quality time with him.
      Ban on Googling famous parents
      Brad and Angelina met while filming Hollywood blockbuster Mr. & Mrs. SmithCredit: AP:Associated Press
      The pair revealed their children are not allowed to search for their names on the internet and gossip magazines are banned from the house. 
      Pitt admitted that he has taken certain precautions at home to ensure that the three biological and three adopted offspring are not exposed to news and opinions about the pair. 
      The 48-year-old told a German newspaper: “On all the kids’ computers we had our names blocked. They can’t Google their mum and dad. I don’t want to make myself dependent on what other people think.”
      While the warring parents have attempted to work together to protect their brood, the latest leak shows the fractured relationship between them and their father.
      But at least they won’t be able to read about it on the internet. More