Angelina Jolie Reveals Her Mastectomy Scars for the First Time

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Angelina Jolie recently showed her mastectomy scars publicly for the first time in an interview with TIME France. Over a decade ago, in 2013, she had a preventive double mastectomy, and she explained her reasons for sharing the scars now and what it represents to her.

Jolie explained that she connects with many women who have similar experiences, and she’s inspired when they openly share them. She decided to participate in a magazine feature to support the spread of information about breast health, cancer prevention, and awareness.

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Angelina Jolie chose to have the surgery because of cancer in her family. Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died from cancer at age 56. Jolie publicly shared in a 2013 article that she carries the BRCA1 gene, which greatly raises a person’s chances of getting breast cancer.

She shared that the surgery lowered her risk from a high 87 percent to under 5 percent. In a message, she explained that choosing to have a mastectomy wasn’t simple, but ultimately, she was very glad she did.

In 2015, Angelina Jolie had surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes as a preventative measure against ovarian cancer. She recently spoke about how important it is for women to have access to genetic testing and screenings. Jolie believes that “Every woman should be able to control her own health decisions and have the information to make smart choices. Genetic testing and screenings should be available and affordable, especially for women with risk factors or a family history of the disease.”

When it comes to healthcare, decisions should be made by individuals, and women especially need the information and support to make the choices that are right for them. Everyone, regardless of their income or location, should be able to get the screenings and care they need.

I just got a sneak peek at what’s coming in February 2026, and I’m really excited about ‘Couture’! Angelina Jolie is taking on the lead role in this French film, directed by Alice Winocour. She’ll be playing Maxine Walker, an American filmmaker who receives a breast cancer diagnosis. It sounds like a powerful and moving story, and I’m already marking my calendar.

She commended the director for thoughtfully telling the story and emphasizing the beauty of life, even amidst difficulty. She explained that many films dealing with women’s challenges – particularly cancer – tend to focus on sorrow and finality, rather than the experience of living. She believes that while hardship, illness, and pain are inevitable, it’s our response to them that truly matters.

Jolie recalled a conversation with her mother, who was undergoing chemotherapy. Her mother confided that she felt overwhelmed by constantly being defined by her illness and wished she could talk about other things. Jolie said this resonated with her because the film she’s in isn’t just about sickness, but about life itself. She was drawn to the role because of the film’s hopeful and life-affirming viewpoint.

As a film buff, I was really struck by Angelina Jolie’s decision to share her story and show her scars. It’s such a powerful thing to do, and it really highlights how important it is for women to be informed about their health, take steps to prevent problems when they can, and ultimately make their own choices about their bodies. Honestly, I hope it inspires other women to really prioritize their health and advocate for themselves – it’s incredibly empowering to see someone be so open and take control like that.

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2025-12-16 11:45