This is a great question. While I do believe that people can change, I think it's good to look at the pattern of their behavior and if it's gone on for years and years it's highly likely those traits will always be there.
I don't believe it will just change on its own. Maybe if he acknowledges his behavior and works to change it.
Or if you change your responses to him, thus forcing a change. My ex- was very controlling and emotionally abusive. I ended up going to counseling on my own, my therapist worked with me on how to change my behaviors, choices, acceptance of his behavior and when I started pushing back and not just "biting my tongue" because "it's just worse when I speak up", etc. Things did change a bit for the better, at least for me.
When I did file for divorce, I was in a better place emotionally anyways.