Oscar-winning actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has made a profoundly courageous move, publicly revealing the scars from her preventative double mastectomy for the very first time. The 50-year-old star, who underwent the surgery over a decade ago, opened up about her decision in a powerful new interview with TIME France magazine.
A Decision Rooted in Solidarity and Advocacy
Jolie explained that her choice to finally bare her scars was driven by a sense of shared experience and a desire to promote vital health information. She had the life-altering operation in early 2013 after genetic testing revealed she carries a mutation in the BRCA1 gene. This genetic fault dramatically increases a person's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
"I share these scars with many women I love," Jolie stated. "And I'm always moved when I see other women share theirs. I wanted to join them, knowing that TIME France would be sharing information about breast health, prevention, and knowledge about breast cancer."
The accompanying photos for the interview, published on December 18, show Jolie on the magazine's cover wearing a low-cut black jumper, subtly covering one breast with her hand. The images mark a significant moment of visibility for the mother-of-six.
A Family Shadowed by Cancer and a Personal Health Journey
The star's decision to undergo a double mastectomy was informed by stark medical statistics and profound personal loss. After being tested, Jolie was told she had an estimated 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer.
Tragically, breast cancer has deeply affected her family. Her mother, French actress Marcheline Bertrand, died from the disease in 2007 at the age of 56. Jolie's grandmother and aunt also passed away from cancer. In 2020, Jolie reflected on her mother's death, saying, "Losing a mother’s love and warm, soft embrace is like having someone rip away a protective blanket."
Following her double mastectomy, Jolie took further preventive action in March 2015 by having her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed.
A Passionate Plea for Accessible Healthcare
Now, with her long and painful divorce from ex-husband Brad Pitt finalised last year, Jolie is using her platform to advocate for widespread access to genetic screening. In the interview, she issues a clear call to action.
"Every woman should always be able to determine her own healthcare journey and have the information she needs to make informed choices," she asserted. "Genetic testing and screening should be accessible and affordable for women with clear risk factors or a significant family history."
She emphasised that her original disclosure in 2013 was to encourage informed choices, adding, "Access to screening and care should not depend on financial resources or where someone lives."
Channeling Experience into Art: The Upcoming Film 'Couture'
Jolie's personal history also influences her professional choices. Her latest project, the film Couture, set for release next February, sees her playing Maxine Walker, an American filmmaker diagnosed with breast cancer.
She expressed her connection to the role, stating that too many films about women's struggles with illness focus on endings and sadness. "Hardships, illnesses, and pain are part of our existence, but what matters is how we face them," Jolie said.
Recalling her mother's experience with chemotherapy, she noted her mother felt the illness was becoming her entire identity. "I love this film because it tells a story that goes far beyond the journey of a sick person: it shows life. It was this luminous perspective that touched me and made me want to play this role."
Through both her powerful public revelation and her artistic work, Angelina Jolie continues to transform personal adversity into a global conversation about health, choice, and resilience.
