It’s been a wild ride for Hollywood's most famous exes, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The divorce they filed in 2016 has resulted in one of the longest divorce battles in the entertainment world. The drama spanning eight years has had its fair share of twists, turns, and public spats. It has kept fans and tabloids busy for the longest.

(Photo: Instagram) The pair is fighting over the custody of their six children

The Spark That Ignited the Battle

The drama began with an incident on a private plane in 2016 when Jolie alleged Pitt had a physical altercation with one of their children. As a result, the "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" actress filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences and sparking a series of legal battles over custody and assets​.

The plane incident set Pitt up with authorities making him the subject of an investigation for child abuse. The actor was cleared of these charges. In 2019, the courts declared the Oklahoma-born actor legally single. However, their divorce proceedings have dragged on for eight years because of disputes related to child custody and shared assets, including the Château Miraval winery. ​

Custody Battles and Legal Skirmishes

Custody of their six children has been at the center of the prolonged legal battle. Brad Pitt sought joint custody, while Jolie initially wanted primary custody. In a brief victory for the 'Ocean's Eleven" actor in 2021, Judge Ouderkirk granted him joint custody. However, this decision was later overturned when an appeals court disqualified the judge due to undisclosed business relationships with Pitt's legal team.

(Photo: Shiloh Nouvel Instagram) In 2019, the Oklahoma-born actor was declared single

The legal skirmishes didn’t stop at custody. The couple's French winery, Château Miraval, has been another battlefield. Jolie sold her stake to Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group, without Pitt's consent. He claimed this was in violation of their prior agreement that neither would sell their interest without the other's approval. The resulting lawsuit alleges that the sale was done in secrecy. He claimed that the sale aimed to harm his involvement in the business. Jolie brought a countersuit that accused her ex-husband of attempting to control the winery and failing to finalize their divorce settlement to force her into silence about past abuse allegations​.

Careers and Complications

In the middle of all these, both actors have continued their careers. Jolie has been busy with her film projects, including her upcoming role as Maria Callas and directing "Without Blood" starring Salma Hayek-Pinault​. Pitt has also focused on his acting career. Additionally, he was also  filming a racing movie in Europe. Their busy schedules have further complicated their custody arrangements. The actor and producer has limited interaction with his younger children due to his filming commitments​

(Photo: Instagram) His daughter, Shiloh, has filed a petition to drop Pitt from her name

Finally, there are hopes that this battle could come to an end. A source close to the couple mentioned that negotiations are still ongoing, but the parties have not reached a settlement. Meanwhile, Jolie's attorney has urged Pitt to drop the winery lawsuit to help the family move toward healing and closure​.

If the current rumors are anything to go by, we have yet to see how this will end. Brad Pitt may have another heartbreak to deal with, though. His daughter, Shiloh, has filed a petition to drop Pitt from her name after she turned 18.