Angelina Jolie, a mother of six, lost her own mother, Marcheline Bertrand, to breast cancer in 2007—a loss that deeply impacted her. Jolie has kept her mother’s legacy alive, often speaking about the bond they shared and how it shaped her views on motherhood.
Born in 1975 to actors Marcheline Bertrand and Jon Voight, Jolie was raised mostly by her mother after her parents divorced when she was three. Marcheline was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and passed away at 56. Jolie has called her mother’s devotion to family “the most noble” trait, one that still guides her.
In 2013, Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which gave her an 87% risk of breast cancer. In a widely shared New York Times op-ed, she explained her decision and encouraged women to get tested and explore their options. Her openness led to the so-called “Angelina Effect,” increasing awareness and genetic testing rates globally.
Jolie has continued speaking publicly about her experience and the grief of losing her mother. In a 2019 Time article, she wrote about how her mother missed out on knowing most of her grandchildren and how that loss motivates her health decisions.
At a 2025 Toronto International Film Festival premiere, Jolie became emotional when recalling how her mother once said, “All anybody ever asks me about is cancer.” Jolie urged others to see cancer patients as whole people, not just their illness.