Angelina Jolie publicly displayed the scars from her preventive double mastectomy in 2013 for the first time. In an interview with TIME France, the actress admitted that she does not feel the need to hide the traces of the surgery and views them as a symbol of strength, awareness, and acceptance.
"I share these scars with many women I love. And it always touches me when I see other women sharing theirs," Jolie said, emphasizing that open conversations about health help others not feel alone.
The decision for surgery was made after genetic testing revealed that the actress had a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, significantly increasing the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Jolie noted that her mother's experience — actress Marcheline Bertrand, who died of cancer at the age of 56 — had a profound impact on her.
In 2015, Jolie underwent another preventive surgery — the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes. Today, she actively advocates for the accessibility of genetic testing for women around the world, regardless of their financial situation or country of residence.
The actress also spoke about the new film Couture directed by Alice Winocour, which is set to premiere in February 2026. She describes the project as deeply personal: her character, American filmmaker Maxine Walker, is diagnosed with breast cancer. According to Jolie, she drew much of her inspiration for the role from memories of her mother.
"This film is not about fear, but about light. It shows life, not its end," the actress noted.
