Angelina Jolie has long been recognized not only as an acclaimed actress and filmmaker but also as a humanitarian and advocate for health awareness. At the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Jolie shared an emotional reflection about her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, whose death from cancer in 2007 continues to shape her perspective on life, grief, and resilience.
Her candid remarks served as a reminder that serious illness does not define the fullness of a person’s life. Instead, she emphasized the importance of recognizing individuals beyond their diagnosis, encouraging compassion and dignity for those living with medical challenges.
Remembering Marcheline Bertrand
Marcheline Bertrand, born in 1950, was an actress and producer who worked in Hollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. Beyond her professional career, she was also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly her work supporting women and children in need.
Bertrand was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and later breast cancer, illnesses that ultimately led to her passing in 2007 at the age of 56. Her journey deeply impacted Jolie, who has spoken openly about the profound influence her mother had on her life.
During her TIFF appearance, Jolie recalled how her mother once said, “All anybody ever asks me about is cancer.” This statement, Jolie explained, reminded her that those living with illness deserve to be seen as whole individuals, not defined solely by their medical conditions.
Angelina Jolie’s Preventive Health Decisions
In addition to honoring her mother’s memory, Jolie has taken proactive measures regarding her own health. In 2013, she revealed in an op-ed for The New York Times titled “My Medical Choice” that she had undergone a preventive double mastectomy after learning she carried the BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly increases the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers.
Medical experts, including the Mayo Clinic, confirm that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations face a lifetime breast cancer risk of up to 72% and a heightened risk of ovarian cancer. By undergoing preventive surgery, Jolie reduced her chances of developing these diseases.
In 2015, she wrote another essay, “Diary of a Surgery”, also published in The New York Times, where she shared her decision to undergo removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes (a salpingo-oophorectomy) as an additional preventive step. She described how these medical choices, while difficult, were motivated by a desire to live a long life for her children and to honor her mother’s legacy.
Advocacy for Cancer Awareness
Jolie’s openness about her health journey has had a global impact. Medical professionals praised her for raising awareness about genetic testing, preventive care, and the importance of early detection.
The American Cancer Society notes that early detection through screening, genetic testing, and awareness of family history can dramatically improve outcomes for people at risk of hereditary cancers. Jolie’s decision to share her personal experiences encouraged millions of women worldwide to seek medical advice, consult genetic counselors, and undergo screenings.
Her advocacy also helped reduce stigma around preventive surgeries and opened up conversations about women’s health that had often been considered private or taboo.
Grief, Resilience, and Family
Even after 17 years since her mother’s passing, Jolie continues to carry her memory in her daily life. She has expressed that her decisions are not driven by fear but by love—for her children and for future generations.
Jolie is the mother of six children: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne. She has said that her preventive health measures were made with them in mind, aiming to reduce the likelihood that they would endure the same heartbreak she experienced with the loss of her mother and grandmother.
This resilience, rooted in grief but shaped by purpose, underscores Jolie’s broader message: that illness and loss do not have to erase joy, dignity, or the will to live fully.
A Message Beyond Illness
At TIFF, Jolie reminded the audience that individuals facing serious illnesses still have vibrant lives, interests, and relationships. She encouraged people to ask about the whole person, not just their medical struggles.
This perspective aligns with research from organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, which highlights the importance of psychosocial support for cancer patients and survivors. Recognizing the individual beyond their diagnosis improves emotional well-being and quality of life.
Angelina Jolie’s Continued Influence
Angelina Jolie’s influence extends far beyond Hollywood. She has used her platform to promote humanitarian causes through her work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where she served as Special Envoy until 2022. Her advocacy includes refugee rights, children’s education, and gender equality.
By speaking publicly about her health journey and her mother’s legacy, Jolie continues to encourage a culture of openness, compassion, and proactive health care.
Her resilience offers inspiration, but perhaps her most powerful contribution lies in her willingness to share vulnerability—transforming personal grief into a call for greater awareness and empathy.
Conclusion
Angelina Jolie’s tribute to her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, at the Toronto International Film Festival served as a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between parent and child. More than 17 years after her mother’s passing, Jolie continues to honor her legacy through her advocacy for cancer awareness, preventive health choices, and compassionate care for others.
By sharing her personal journey, Jolie highlights that illness does not define a person. Instead, she encourages the world to see those facing medical challenges as complete individuals—loved, respected, and still very much alive in every sense of the word.
Her courage in turning personal grief into public advocacy stands as an example of resilience. For many, Angelina Jolie is not only a celebrated actress but also a powerful voice for awareness, compassion, and the importance of living fully, even in the shadow of loss.