Angelina Jolie Breaks Down: Heartfelt Tribute to Her Mother's Battle with Cancer

Angelina Jolie Breaks Down in Tears as She Recalls Her Late Mother's Cancer Battle

In a poignant and emotional moment, Oscar-winning actress Angelina Jolie was overcome with tears at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) while discussing her new film, Couture. The actress, who stars as a woman diagnosed with cancer just as she arrives in Paris for Fashion Week, revealed how her own mother's decade-long battle with breast and ovarian cancer continues to haunt her.

Jolie, 50, was visibly shaken when an audience member asked for advice on how to cope with the loss of a loved one to cancer. The actress, who lost her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, in 2007 at just 56, dabbed away tears as she shared a heartfelt message. "I'm very sorry for your loss," she said, her voice trembling.

As she collected herself, Jolie reflected on her mother's own words of wisdom: "All people ever ask me about is cancer." She recalled how her mom would often say that, despite the constant questions and concerns about her health, people rarely asked about anything else in her life. Jolie's eyes welled up with tears as she remembered her mother's plight.

"I think what I learned from my mother is to always ask someone who's going through something about everything else in their life," she said, her voice cracking. "They're a whole person, and they're still living." Her words were met with applause and nods of agreement from the audience.

Jolie's own experience with cancer began when she discovered a mutation on the BRCA1 gene, which increased her risk of breast cancer. In 2013, she underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction as a precautionary measure. The actress has been open about her decision, using her platform to raise awareness about the importance of genetic testing and early detection.

Her courage in sharing her story has inspired countless women to take control of their own health, earning her the nickname "The Angelina Jolie Effect." In 2018, Dr. Jay Orringer, a member of her surgical team, praised her for setting an example that has likely saved lives. "I have personally seen women whose lives were likely saved as a result of the public awareness that has resulted from the 'Angelina Jolie effect,'" he wrote.

Jolie's connection to her mother is deeply personal and professional. Her mom, who walked away from acting in the 1980s, was a constant source of inspiration for Jolie's own career. When Bertrand passed away, she left behind a legacy of love and support that continues to influence Jolie's work.

At the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February, Jolie received the Maltin Modern Master Award for her efforts to change the movie industry through significant contributions and impact. In her acceptance speech, she spoke fondly of her mother, who would often write letters to her characters.

"I think of my mother," Jolie said via video on X from The Hollywood Reporter. "She had to give up her dreams of a creative life but she embraced that side of mine." She remembered how her mom would write letters to her earliest characters, including Gia and Lisa Rowe from Girl, Interrupted.

Those letters have since ceased, but the emotional actress admitted that she still tries to imagine what her mother would say. "I try to imagine sometimes what she would write," Jolie said. "And she would probably tell Maria [Callas] that she loved her because Maria had many things but she never had a mother's love."

As her voice cracked, the actress confessed, "I would be absolutely nothing without mine." She revealed that it's always this time of year – with its change in weather – that reminds her of her mom. "That feeling, that sensibility, makes what I do hard for me," she said. "But it's also part of what connects me and many artists to our work."

The release date for Couture has not been announced, but one thing is clear: Jolie's portrayal of a woman battling cancer will be a poignant reminder of her own experiences with the disease. As an actress and advocate, she continues to inspire others to take control of their health and live their lives to the fullest.

Sources:

• thescholarlynote.com: Angelina Jolie Opens Up About Her Mother's Cancer Battle at 2025 Toronto International Film Festival
• Entertainment Weekly: Angelina Jolie Breaks Down in Tears Over Loss of Mother