– Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt in September 2016, citing irreconcilable differences and requesting sole physical custody of their six children, while asking the judge to grant Pitt visitation rights.
– Pitt released a statement, saying that the well-being of their kids mattered most during this challenging time, while insiders claimed they had quarrelled countless times about their parenting styles and schedules.
– Pitt was investigated for child abuse after being alleged to have verbally and physically abused his child while drunk on his and Jolie’s private plane. Although the LAPD denied an investigation, the Department of Children and Family Services in LA was still investigating Pitt, and the case was then transferred to the FBI.
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In 2016, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce from Brad Pitt after 11 years of being together and two years of marriage. Their split was amicable but Jolie requested sole physical custody of their six children and for the judge to grant Pitt visitation rights. Jolie filed papers that cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce, and her attorney released a statement saying the divorce was “for the health of the family.”
Pitt responded with a statement telling People that he was saddened by the news, but it was important to prioritize the well-being of their children. Celebrities reacted to the news, with Adele dedicating a concert to the couple and George Clooney expressing shock during an interview. Jolie’s friend, Chelsea Handler, made some snarky comments about the split, saying, “Maybe because he could have been spending the last 12 years at Lake Como hanging out with George Clooney and Matt Damon instead of being stuck in a house with 85 kids, speaking 15 different languages. Oh yeah, and because he married a f*cking lunatic, that’s why.”
The split took a more serious turn when allegations of child abuse were levied against Pitt. He reportedly got “verbally abusive” and “physical” with one of his children on his and Jolie’s private plane, which the LAPD and LA County Department of Children and Family Services began investigating. However, the LAPD later denied the allegations and stated that they were not actively investigating any case against Pitt. TMZ reported that the allegations were transferred to the FBI, and Pitt offered to take a drug test voluntarily.
As the divorce proceedings continued, Jolie enlisted the help of famous crisis manager Judy Smith to assist with negotiations. Smith was the inspiration behind Kerry Washington’s character in “Scandal” and has experience in handling high-profile cases.