The mother of six has older children, and Angelina Jolie is opening up about her new stage of life. Jolie, 51, revealed that she related to her new movie character’s cancer journey and thinks about her mother, who didn’t get to meet her grandchildren.
Angelina Jolie Says She Can Be Vulnerable Again
Jolie plays an American film director who is diagnosed with breast cancer. The Oscar winner’s real mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died from ovarian and breast cancer in 2007.
“Alice is a wonderful director and approaches the stories of the women in Couture with sensitivity and hope,” the movie star said, according to PEOPLE. “The film is not about an end for my character but rather about a renewed desire to live life until your last breath which particularly resonates with me at this time in my life.”
Related: Colton Underwood Saw ‘The Bachelor’ as Conversion Therapy
Jolie admitted she wouldn’t have done this role earlier. “I am not sure I was strong enough even five years ago to do this. To be open and trusting to share and be vulnerable again,” she said.
Jolie also talked about her family and her mother. “Things happen in life that take us off path,” she said. “We lose ourselves and we feel isolated. I would have given anything to have my mother alive to be there for her grandchildren.”
The actress revealed she had a double mastectomy and then reconstruction surgery in The New York Times in 2013. She explained that she had the BRCA1 gene, which increased her risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.
“I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity,” read the article. “For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options.”
John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images
Related: Anna Faris Reveals Jealousy of Sexy Star in ‘Scary Movie’
Jolie was motivated to get tested to assure her children she wouldn’t die like her mother. She has six children. Maddox is 24, Pax is 21, Zahara is 20, Shiloh is 20, and the twins Knox and Vivienne are 17.
The family is still adjusting after Jolie and Brad Pitt divorced in 2024. Maddox requested to change his legal name to “Maddox Chivan Jolie” without “Pitt” in May 2026, according to TMZ.
Jolie’s comment about her strength five years ago being weaker aligns with her divorce from Pitt. There were also allegations of domestic abuse. The actress refused to give details about the situation to The Guardian that year, but answered if she feared about safety. “Yes, for my family,” she answered. “My whole family.”
Maddox is also credited as a second unit or assistant director on Couture. That credit is under the name “Maddox Jolie.” The mother’s other children, Shiloh, Zahara, and Vivienne, have dropped Pitt’s name either legally or informally for work. The eldest son previously executive produced First They Killed My Father, which Jolie directed.
Couture is in theaters on Friday, June 26.
Related: Why Dennis Hopper’s Ex-Wife Believes He Haunted Her After His Death
