Wildfires Threaten Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's French Winery Amid Legal Dispute
Flames approach Chateau Miraval estate, where firefighters are using water from a private lake to combat the blaze, as the former couple continues their legal battle over ownership.
Wildfires are threatening Chateau Miraval, the French winery co-owned by actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, amidst their ongoing legal dispute over the estate.
The Correns Fire is burning near the village of Correns in the southeastern French region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, where the winery is located. Images show brown smoke rising near the estate and its vineyards, with firefighters reportedly utilizing water from a private lake on the property to help extinguish the flames.
The legal battle between Pitt and Jolie over Chateau Miraval, which they purchased in 2012, has been ongoing. Pitt initially sued Jolie in February 2022, alleging she had sold her half of the estate without his consent, violating an alleged agreement that neither party would sell their share to a third party without the other's approval. Jolie's legal team has denied the existence of such a pact, asserting she did not require Pitt's consent for the transaction.
The winery was a significant asset for the former couple, where they married in 2014. The estate is valued at approximately $164 million. A trial is scheduled for February 1, 2027, with mediation ordered for October 28. Pitt has sought to depose members of the Stoli Group, run by Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler, who purchased Jolie's stake in the vineyard.
Meanwhile, other European celebrities have also been impacted by the widespread wildfires. George Clooney and his wife Amal, along with their children, were forced to evacuate their home in the same region. Clooney sent a letter to the mayor of Brignoles expressing concern for the town and pledging support, stating, "At this point we have no idea whether our beautiful home makes it through this terrible moment."
Greece, Italy, and Central Europe are facing high wildfire risks, with the EU's emergency response chief warning that wildfires could potentially engulf "all of Europe" within days.
