Colombian pop star Shakira performs during her concert in Barcelona

Colombian pop star Shakira performs during her concert as part of "The Sun Comes Out World Tour", at the Lluis Companys Olympic stadium in Barcelona May 29, 2011

Rihanna performs on NBC's 'Today' show in New York

Singer Rihanna performs on NBC's "Today" show in New York, May 27, 2011.

Miley Cyrus promotes her album 'can't Be Tamed' in Mexico City

Actress and singer Miley Cyrus poses during a photocall before a news conference promoting her album "can't Be Tamed" in Mexico City May 26, 2011.

The Oprah Winfrey Show

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is shown with guests (L-R) Stevie Wonder, John Travolta, Gayle King and Tina Turner from the Oprah's 50th Birthday Party episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that originally aired on January 29, 2004, in this publicity photograph released on May 24,2011.

The closing ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival

Actress Kirsten Dunst poses during a photocall after receiving the Best Actress award for her role in director Lars Von Trier's film "Melancholia" during the closing ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival May 22, 2011.

Jolie and Pitt attend premiere of 'The Tree of Life' at LACMA in Los Angeles

Cast member Brad Pitt and actress Angelina Jolie pose at the premiere of "The Tree of Life" at LACMA in Los Angeles May 24, 2011.

The 2011 Billboard Music Awards show in Las Vegas

Singer Rihanna arrives at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards show in Las Vegas May 22, 2011.

Lady Gaga attends album signing event for new release 'Born This Way' in NY City

Singer Lady Gaga arrives at an album-signing event for her new release "Born This Way" at Best Buy in New York City May 23, 2011.

AmfAR's Cinema Against AIDS 2011 event in Antibes at the 64th Cannes Film Festival

Actress Zhang Ziyi arrives for amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS 2011 event in Antibes during the 64th Cannes Film Festival May 19, 2011.

The screening of 'This Must Be The Place' at Cannes

Singer Gwen Stefani arrives on the red carpet for the screening of the film "This Must Be The Place", in competition at the 64th Cannes Film Festival May 20, 2011.

Stars studded at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit

Madonna poses on the red carpet at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit celebrating the opening of Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, in New York, May 2, 2011.

Justin Bieber performs on stage during his concert in Manila

Singer Justin Bieber speaks during a news conference in a mall in Manila May 10, 2011. Bieber arrived in Manila on Tuesday for his one-night concert at the ShoeMart Mall of Asia concert grounds, as part of his "My World" 2011 Asian Tour.

Britney Spears appears at 2011 Wango Tango concert in Los Angeles

Singer Britney Spears walks on stage at the 2011 Wango Tango concert in Los Angeles May 14, 2011

Stars shine on red carpet for the opening ceremony of 64th Cannes Film Festival

Chinese actress Fan Bing Bing arrives on the red carpet for the opening ceremony of the 64th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes May 11, 2011.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie sued

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are to be sued by a former employee.

The unnamed woman - who worked as a bilingual secretary at their Miraval chateau in the South of France - was dismissed by a manager at the estate while on sick leave on the grounds her absence impacted on the running of the property and is seeking 80,000 Euros in compensation for unfair dismissal.

Lawyer Emmanuel Ludot said: "It's a drop in the ocean for these stars.

"She has nothing against them personally and says she was always treated well. But they did not step in to prevent her being dismissed.

"Mr. Brad Pitt, who is also famous for his charity work and adoption of children, should understand that my client needs compensation as soon as possible, and that she's not asking for millions, just a fair amount for unfair dismissal.

"We hope they will both be faithful to their reputation for humanitarian causes."

The woman has remained anonymous due to confidentiality clauses in the contract she signed before being employed.

The lawyer said he has deliberately announced the matter now because the couple - Maddox, nine, Pax, seven, and six-year-old Zahara, as well as biological kids Shiloh, four, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne - are currently in France for the annual Cannes film festival.

A labour tribunal in Draguignan will rule on the case next month.