Angelina Jolie Unveils Mastectomy Scars on TIME France Cover, Reaffirms Breast Cancer Advocacy

Angelina Jolie, the celebrated actress and humanitarian, stepped into the spotlight in a new way this month by revealing the scars of her double mastectomy on the front cover of TIME France’s upcoming issue. The 50‑year‑old’s decision to display the marks that have been part of her life for more than a decade signals a renewed commitment to breast‑cancer awareness.

In an interview published on Dec. 15, Jolie told TIME France, “I share these scars with many women I love,” and added, “And I’m always moved when I see other women share theirs. I wanted to join them, knowing that TIME France would share information on breast health, prevention and knowledge about breast cancer.” Her words underscore a personal mission that has long guided her public life.

Jolie’s family ties to the Hollywood scene are well known. She shares six children with her former husband Brad Pitt—Maddox, 24; Pax, 21; Zahara, 20; Shiloh, 19; and twins Vivienne and Knox, 17—making her a central figure not only in entertainment but also in discussions about family health.

The actress’s journey began with a double mastectomy over a decade ago, a surgical choice that followed her mother’s own battle with the disease. Marcheline Bertrand, Jolie’s mother and fellow actor, died of breast cancer in 2007 at age 56, a loss that left an indelible mark on the family.

Six years after her mother’s death, Jolie herself faced a personal health scare. In a 2013 New York Times op‑ed, she revealed that genetic testing had identified a “faulty gene” called BRCA1 in her DNA, a marker that significantly raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Faced with this information, Jolie opted for preventative surgery shortly after her screening. In her own words, “The decision to have a mastectomy was not easy,” she wrote. “But it is one I am very happy that I made. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer.”

Two years later, she expanded her preventative measures by removing her ovaries and fallopian tubes—a step she has publicly encouraged other women to consider.

In a recent conversation with TIME, Jolie emphasized that every woman should have access to such choices. She said, “Genetic tests and screening are intended to be accessible and affordable for women with obvious risk factors or significant family history.” She added that “Access to screening and care should not depend on financial resources or where you live.”

These statements align with her broader advocacy, which has always centered on empowerment through knowledge and early detection. By placing her scars on a widely circulated magazine cover, she brings visibility to a personal experience that many women face.

The cover itself serves as a visual testament to her courage. It shows a close‑up of the healed but unmistakable marks on her chest, a reminder that recovery and resilience can coexist with the realities of surgical intervention.

Jolie’s public sharing is not a solitary act; it echoes a growing movement among survivors to destigmatize visible outcomes of cancer treatment. Her own narrative offers both a warning and a hopeful message for those navigating similar paths.

In other news, Brad Pitt has recently broken his silence regarding the finalization of his divorce from Jolie, concluding an eight‑year legal battle. The actor’s statements suggest that the divorce process has reached a definitive end, although details remain sparse.

The intersection of Jolie’s health advocacy and the recent divorce news underscores how public figures manage personal challenges while maintaining a public persona.

Overall, Jolie’s decision to display her mastectomy scars is a powerful act of transparency. It invites conversation, reduces stigma, and reinforces the importance of genetic testing, early detection, and informed decision‑making.

Key Takeaways

• Angelina Jolie has publicly displayed her double mastectomy scars on the cover of TIME France.
• She has emphasized that access to genetic testing and preventative surgery should be affordable and available to all.
• Brad Pitt has announced the finalization of his divorce from Jolie after an eight‑year legal battle.

In closing, Jolie’s bold move serves as both a personal milestone and a broader call to action—reminding women worldwide that knowledge, access, and courage can shape health outcomes.