In September of 2016, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt shocked fans when news spread of their divorce. In 2019, although the divorce wasn't completely settled, a court ruled the two were legally single.
Though speculation was abundant, neither Jolie nor Pitt revealed many details about their unraveling.
However in September of 2021, Jolie revealed to The Guardian she feared for her family's safety during her marriage to Pitt but did not go into more detail.
She told The Guardian:
"I'm not the kind of person who makes decisions like the decisions I had to make lightly."
"It took a lot for me to be in a position where I felt I had to separate from the father of my children."
Now new details have emerged.
In a complaint filed Tuesday, Jolie alleged Pitt physically attacked her and their children in September 2016, days before Jolie filed for divorce.
In the court documents obtained by The New York Times, details of the altercation are revealed.
During a flight on the couple's private jet from France to California, it is claimed Pitt "choked one of the children and struck another in the face."
Jolie's lawyers also claim Pitt yelled at Jolie in a private bathroom, grabbed her by the head and shook her. He then "grabbed her shoulders and shook her again before pushing her into the bathroom wall."
Pitt "punched the ceiling of the plane numerous times, prompting Jolie to leave the bathroom."
The documents also reveal Pitt lunged at one of the children after the child called him a "pr*ck." Pitt was cleared after the FBI investigated.
Many took to Twitter to respond to the newly revealed details, noting their memory of the first time this story broke.
\u201c@nytimes Here\u2019s the original Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt plane situation from 2016. \u2b07\ufe0f\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes It's good to remember that Maddox testified against him. The others were also willing to testify against the father as well. But many insist that nothing happened. Why is it so hard to accept that he did something serious? The guy traumatized his own children!\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes Whatever happened on that plane was bad. It ended their relationship immediately, FBI was involved and his older children wanted nothing to do with him.\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
Many others, however, are comparing the situation to that of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
\u201c@nytimes Guess we\u2019re all going back to defamation court then\u2026. Hope Angie didn\u2019t do an Amber\u2026\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes Exactly like johnny Depp he's a disgusting person and both of their kids does not support them which shows the truth\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes @newschambers Time for another long drawn out public court case\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes Honestly it\u2019s kinda bizarre how Brad has been up and down the media from promoting his movie to skincare and yet everyone has been nonchalant about this situation almost like they\u2019re afraid of another Amber Heard moment in bringing this up to his face\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes This was not in her original filing 6 years ago. She is Amber Heard 2.0. making up things 6 years later. lol\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
Regardless of public, allegations of domestic violence are serious.
\u201c@nytimes The comments are what I expected them to be. Completely neglecting the facts that he laid hands on his children.\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes Some of these comments are disgusting. Angelina Jolie's allegations, true or not(!), are in regards to incredibly vile, abusive behavior. Don't belittle, discredit, or mock abuse victims. We see your words here too.\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
\u201c@nytimes Most of the replies are disheartening. Domestic abuse is awful. No matter who it happens to. And as we saw with the Depp/Heard trial, stories about celebrities can affect how we view and discuss intimate partner violence. So yes, this does matter and is newsworthy.\u201d— The New York Times (@The New York Times) 1664907866
While many are questioning the motives behind releasing the details of the incident 6 years after its occurrence, it should be noted Pitt sued Jolie in February over an alleged contract violation.
In October 2021, Jolie was able to sell her stake of a winery she owned with Pitt to Russian billionaire Yuri Shelfer after Pitt demanded she sign a nondisclosure agreement which would keep her from speaking about their marriage.
The details of Pitt's physical aggression were revealed in Jolie's countersuit.
