Angelina Jolie Reflects on Her Double Mastectomy
Angelina Jolie has expressed gratitude for her double mastectomy, referring to the scar as “a choice I made.” In a recent interview, she shared that she has always been intrigued by the marks people carry through life, asserting that the idea of a perfect existence free from flaws doesn’t resonate with her.
“My scar represents my decision to stay healthy for as long as possible with my children,” Jolie remarked, adding that she cherishes her scar and appreciates the opportunity to take proactive steps regarding her health.
At 50, Jolie discussed her personal connection to this choice, given that she lost her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, to cancer when she was young. This loss deeply influences her parenting, as she raises her kids without their grandmother.
Bertrand was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and later breast cancer, passing away in January 2007 at the age of 56. Jolie reflected on the significance of her own decisions, stating, “If you reach the end of your life, you won’t be able to claim you’ve lived fully without mistakes or imperfections.”
Jolie’s journey included undergoing a mastectomy in 2013 after learning she had an almost 90% chance of developing breast cancer due to a positive BRCA1 gene mutation. She later shared her experience in a New York Times editorial, where she expressed relief about reducing her cancer risk from 87% to under 5%, allowing her to reassure her children about not losing her to the disease.
She seldom discusses her preventive treatments but made it clear in an interview last October that she has no regrets about her choices. “It’s my decision. I’m not suggesting it’s for everyone, but having the option is significant, and I don’t regret it,” Jolie conveyed.
In 2015, Jolie also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed, a follow-up that seemed important to her well-being. However, she’s rarely commented on the surgeries since. Still, she revealed her mastectomy scars for the first time in December 2025 during a cover shoot for Time France, stating, “I share this hurt with so many women I love. It’s uplifting to see others sharing their stories.” She felt compelled to participate in a project focused on breast health and awareness.
