Brad details millions spent on supporting Angelina and kids

Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt on Wednesday rebutted claims that he had failed to support his children, and accused his estranged wife, actor Angelina Jolie, of trying to manipulate the media in their long drawnout divorce.

In the latest round of bitter accusations between the former power couple — known as Brangelina — Pitt’s attorneys said that the actor had paid over $1.3 million (₹8.84 crore) in bills for Jolie and their six children since their 2016 separation. In papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the attorneys also said that Pitt had loaned Jolie $8 million to help her buy her current house.

Jolie’s attorney had said in a Tuesday court filing that Pitt had “paid no meaningful child support” since Jolie filed for divorce in September 2016.

Pitt’s attorneys said that Jolie’s claims were “a thinlyveiled effort to manipulate media coverage”.

Jolie’s representatives did not immediately return a request for comment on Wednesday. But on Tuesday, her spokeswoman said that her filing was intended to provide closure to the marriage “and allow her and Brad to recommit as devoted co-parents to their children”.

Pitt and Jolie were married for two years and enjoyed a 10year romance that had made the pair one of Hollywood’s most glamorous couples. They have six children for whom she is seeking custody. Jolie said on Tuesday that she wanted to expedite the divorce and return to single status by the end of 2018. Pitt’s court filing said that it was he, not she, who made the request to speed up the divorce.

The divorce filing, citing irreconcilable differences, triggered a bitter custody dispute during which Pitt was investigated and cleared of child abuse.

PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER POLK/GETTY IMAGES/AFP Angelina Jolie

PHOTO: JUAN MEDINA/REUTERS Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (right) have six children, including three who are adopted