Angelina Jolie shares an emotional memory of her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died of breast cancer. Her words inspire hope and awareness worldwide.
Angelina Jolie Shares Emotional Story About Her Late Mother’s Cancer Journey
Hollywood star Angelina Jolie continues to honor the memory of her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who tragically passed away from breast cancer in 2007 at just 56 years old. The loss left a lasting impact on Jolie, shaping her views on family, health, and life itself.
A Mother-Daughter Bond Cut Short
Born in 1975, Angelina Jolie grew up with a close bond to her mother after Marcheline separated from actor Jon Voight when Angelina was just three years old.
In 1999, Marcheline was diagnosed with breast cancer and battled the disease for nearly a decade before passing away in January 2007. Jolie, now a mother of six, has often spoken about how deeply the loss influenced her approach to parenting and her advocacy for women’s health.
“When my mother passed, I realized that someone who lives life with that kind of dedication to family is the most noble,” Jolie said in an earlier interview.
Jolie’s Preventative Mastectomy and the “Angelina Effect”
In 2013, Jolie shocked the world by revealing she had undergone a preventative double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene, which gave her an 87% risk of developing breast cancer.
Her brave decision led to what doctors called the “Angelina Effect”—a global surge in women seeking genetic testing and preventative treatment.
Jolie shared her story in a New York Times op-ed to encourage women to learn their health risks.
Her surgery lowered her risk of breast cancer from 87% to under 5%.
Cancer organizations and doctors praised her for raising awareness and possibly saving lives.
“I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer,” Jolie wrote.
A Heartbreaking Memory at TIFF Premiere
At the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, Jolie became emotional when discussing her mother during the premiere of her new film Couture.
After being asked by a grieving audience member about hope, Jolie recalled a painful but powerful memory of her mom:
“I remember my mother saying once during her cancer journey, ‘All anybody ever asks me about is cancer.’”
Jolie then urged people to see beyond the illness:
“If you know someone going through something, ask them about everything else in their life as well. They’re still a whole person, and they’re still living.”
Honoring Her Mother’s Legacy
Jolie has dedicated much of her life to continuing her mother’s legacy, balancing her Hollywood career with humanitarian work, parenting, and health advocacy.
She has also reminded the public of the importance of empathy and awareness, not just for patients but for families navigating the challenges of cancer.
