Jon Voight’s infidelity during his marriage to Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, is well-documented, with the actor openly admitting to his unfaithfulness. However, it appears he may have also failed in his financial obligations post-divorce, a point Bertrand highlighted in her will.
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Voight and Bertrand tied the knot in 1971, but their relationship crumbled due to Voight’s cheating. Reports suggest the marriage was fraught with issues, and both Jolie and her brother, James Haven, have spoken about their challenging childhood. The couple separated in the mid-1970s, finalizing their divorce in 1980. While the settlement details remain private, Bertrand’s will, made public after her passing in 2007, implied that Voight had not fulfilled his financial commitments.
Bertrand noted an outstanding $180,000 in spousal support, writing, “Jon Voight owes me this,” as reported by the Express in 2008. This revelation prompted speculation about potential family tensions. In a subsequent interview, Haven remarked to Marie Claire that his mother endured years of emotional distress due to Voight, describing the financial strain as a persistent issue (via Today). Haven also told the Daily Mail that the financial struggles motivated Jolie to become financially independent, noting, “Angie has been driven to be an independently wealthy woman now because we saw what it was like to be at the mercy of someone who controls the money and pulls the strings.”
Voight, however, refuted these claims, asserting he did not withhold funds. In a 2007 statement to Life & Style, he expressed sorrow over the accusations, suggesting they stemmed from long-standing resentment instilled by Bertrand (via Today). Voight maintained he had supported his family both emotionally and financially, saying, “In all truth, I tried to give him and their mother continuous love and support and large sums of money.” He lamented that Bertrand’s death might have exacerbated the situation but emphasized his willingness to support his children.
Despite past tensions, Jolie has worked towards mending her relationship with her father, primarily for her children’s benefit. She has publicly stated her forgiveness, noting they avoid discussing past conflicts (via E! News). Their improved relationship was evident when Jolie shared with Vanity Fair in 2017 that Voight frequently spent time with her children, especially following her separation from Brad Pitt, acknowledging his supportive role as their grandfather.
Jon Voight denied the claims that he withheld spousal support
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Despite his son’s claims to the contrary, Jon Voight denied having withheld any money from his ex-wife. In a 2007 statement to Life & Style, he said he found this characterization “heartbreaking” and subtly shaded Marcheline Bertrand as he did so (via Today). “I feel it comes from their inability to let go of years of programmed anger from their mother, who understandably felt quite hurt when we divorced,” he said. Voight further claimed that he had actually provided for his family, lamenting, “In all truth, I tried to give him and their mother continuous love and support and large sums of money. … God knows, for years I’ve tried to mend this relationship. Perhaps the trauma of their mother’s passing has made it worse.” Even so, he said he was there for both Haven and Jolie and was ready to support them however they needed.
As fans of Jolie will know, the actor and her father began the process of reconciling in order for her kids to have a relationship with their granddad. She’s said that she forgave Voight and keeps in touch with him, with the caveat that they don’t “discuss the past” (via E! News). Over time, they seem to have maintained their friendlier relationship, with Jolie telling Vanity Fair in 2017 that he’d regularly watch the kids after her own divorce from Brad Pitt. “He’s been very good at understanding they needed their grandfather at this time,” she said.
Outside of the kids, Jolie has said she and Voight bond over their shared interests, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “We’ve had some difficulties, [but] through art we’ve been able to talk. It’s the common language.” After those rocky early years, at least they finally found some common ground.