In the public eye, Angelina Jolie is a symbol of Hollywood fame. To her, however, the scars on her body are powerful reminders of a life journey shaped by pivotal choices and hard-earned resilience.

In 2013, Jolie shocked the world when she revealed she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly increased her risk of developing breast cancer—by as much as 87%. She shared the deeply personal decision in an op-ed published by The New York Times, drawing global attention.

“The decision to have surgery was not easy. But it was the right one for me,” she wrote. “My cancer risk has dropped to under 5%. I can tell my children they don’t need to fear losing me to this disease.”

Two years later, in 2015, the actress underwent further preventive surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes to reduce her cancer risk. For many years, Jolie rarely spoke publicly about these medical interventions. Recently, however, she has reaffirmed that she has no regrets.

In interviews with Hello! magazine and France Inter, Jolie emphasized the importance of personal choice in healthcare. “I’m not saying everyone should do the same,” she said. “But every woman should have the right to choose. And I have no regrets.”

In December 2025, Jolie publicly revealed her surgical scars for the first time in a photo shoot for the French edition of Time. She explained that sharing her scars was not about seeking attention, but about standing in solidarity with women who have faced similar experiences.

“I’ve always been more interested in scars and the stories people carry, rather than a flawless image of a life without wounds,” the actress reflected.

Jolie said her scars will forever remind her of the choices she made so she could be present for as long as possible for her six children. She has three adopted children and three biological children with her former husband, Brad Pitt.

Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died of breast cancer in 2007 at the age of 56—an event that profoundly influenced Jolie’s decision to take preventive action. “If you reach the end of your life without mistakes or scars,” Jolie once mused, “perhaps you haven’t lived fully.”

Born in 1975, Angelina Jolie has been one of the most prominent figures in American cinema for over two decades. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted and starred in blockbuster films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Salt, and Maleficent. Beyond acting, she has also directed acclaimed films including Unbroken and First They Killed My Father.

According to Forbes, Jolie’s estimated net worth ranges between $120 million and $150 million, derived from film salaries, endorsement deals, directing work, and real estate investments.

Beyond her film career, Jolie is widely recognized as an international humanitarian and has frequently appeared on lists of the world’s most influential women.

Following her highly publicized marriage and divorce from Brad Pitt, Jolie has repeatedly said that her children became her greatest source of emotional strength during a turbulent period of her life. Becoming a mother, she says, completely transformed her outlook.

“I want to be a good mother and be present whenever my children need me. They are my top priority,” she shared in an interview with international media. Each child, she added, offers her a different perspective on the world, helping her grow more mature and responsible.

After filing for divorce in 2016, Jolie admitted the period was far from easy. Rather than allowing herself to be consumed by crisis, she focused on building a stable and nurturing environment for her children. She learned patience, listening, and respecting each family member’s emotions.

“We’ve been through a lot,” she said. “But I’m proud of how my children have faced those challenges and grown from them.”

Alongside motherhood, Jolie continues her artistic and humanitarian work, believing that her career is not just a profession but a way to teach her children compassion and social responsibility. Now in her 50s, she says she no longer seeks a perfect model of life. What matters most to her is inner peace and the mental well-being of her family.

“When you have children, you don’t live only for yourself,” Jolie reflected. “I want them to see that no matter how life changes, we can still be strong and kind.”

After years of upheaval, Angelina Jolie has gradually shaped an image of an independent, resilient woman who places family at the center of her life. For her, her children are not only the motivation to overcome personal heartbreak, but also the reason she continues to move forward.