As fans know, Angelina Jolie, 46, filed for divorce from Brad Pitt, 58, in 2016 and their 12 year relationship came to an end. Since then, their divorce, custody battle regarding their 6 children and other related drama has been incredibly complex. Now, the Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood star is claiming that his ex wife made a deal with Yuri Shefler, Russian vodka billionaire, behind his back as the formerly dubbed ‘Brangelina’ continue to engage in a legal battle over their French estate, Château Miraval.
With the war in Ukraine, Russian oligarchs like Shefler, 54, are facing sanctions. To recap, as indicated in a lawsuit filed last month, Pitt claims he and Jolie “agreed they would never sell their respective interests in Miraval without the other’s consent,” and that Jolie broke their promise by selling her interest to Shefler.
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Last week, the Eternals actress took to her Instagram account to show support for Ukranian and Russian refugees at the midst of the ongoing and tragic conflict. Jolie (who is Special Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) wrote: “Like many of you, I’m praying for the people in Ukraine. My focus along with my @refugees colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region.”
She continued, “We have already seen reports of casualties and people starting to flee their homes to seek safety. It is too soon to know what will happen, but the significance of this moment – for the people of Ukraine, and for the international rule of law – cannot be overstated.”
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While many fans in her comment section seemed to appreciate her eloquent words and using her platform to advocate for the Ukrainian people, others on Twitter pointed out her potential deals with the Russian vodka tycoon and expressed their concerns and frustrations:
Yet you ANGELINA JOLIE just sold ur share of Chateau Miraval 2the Stoli Group, a Luxembourg-based spirits manufacturer OWNED by a RUSSIAN OLIGARCH & billionaire named Yuri Shefler. How much do u need? Donate the entire proceeds 2 Ukraine OTHERWISE YOU R LITERALLY FUNDING PUTIN! pic.twitter.com/eLUqpJlNMB
— Alixandra Kupcik (@Alixandrakupcik) March 2, 2022
Shefler, according to various outlets, is known to fly under the radar quite often, even though the billionaire is a major part of many world-renowned brands. The Oryol, Russia-born businessman is also the owner of SPI Group, whose core company is Stoli Group, which known for Stolichnaya vodka. Its website says that it “denounces” Russian aggression.
The Jolie and Pitt purchased a controlling interest in Château Miraval in 2008 “as a home to share with their children and the vineyard as a family business,” Pitt’s complaint obtained by Fox Business states. Their romantic downfall leading to their ongoing legal battle and now Jolie’s potential Russian dealings will likely garner more news and updates to come.
