Angelina Jolie Shares Her Mastectomy Scars Over 10 Years After Surgery

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Angelina Jolie is embracing an eternal chapter in her life. 

It’s been over ten years since I first learned about Angelina Jolie’s double mastectomy, and I was so moved when she recently explained why she’s finally comfortable showing her scars. It feels incredibly brave of her to share this part of her journey, and I admire her willingness to be open about it.

In a recent interview with TIME France, Angelina Jolie, 50, explained that she shares similar experiences with many women she cares about. She feels inspired when other women openly share their stories and wanted to contribute, knowing TIME France would also provide important information about breast health, prevention, and breast cancer awareness.

As she promised, actress Angelina Jolie—who has six children with her former husband, Brad Pitt: Maddox, 24, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 17—showed off her scars on the cover of an upcoming magazine issue.

Angelina Jolie became a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness after her mother, actress Marcheline Bertrand, passed away from the disease in 2007 at the age of 56. Six years later, in 2013, she publicly shared her own health challenges in an opinion piece for The New York Times. Tests revealed she carried a BRCA1 gene mutation, which significantly increased her risk of developing both breast and ovarian cancers.

To reduce her risk, the founder of Atelier Jolie had the surgery soon after getting her screening results.

She said deciding to have a mastectomy was incredibly difficult, but she was ultimately very glad she did. It allowed her to reassure her children that she wouldn’t lose her life to breast cancer.

Two years after her preventative double mastectomy, Angelina also had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed. She recently stated that every woman should have the option to make this same choice as part of their personal healthcare.

She told TIME that genetic tests and screenings should be easy and affordable for women who have clear risk factors or a strong family history of related conditions. She explained that when she shared her own story in 2013, it was to empower women to make informed decisions about their health, emphasizing that these choices are personal and require both information and support.

She emphasized that everyone, regardless of their income or location, should be able to get screened for and receive necessary healthcare.

Keep reading to see more celebrities who have opened up about their health scares… 

Nikki Bella, known from Total Bellas, shared that one of her breast implants moved after being hit in the chest by Piper Niven during a wrestling match in July 2025.

She reassured her sister, Bella Garcia, that they would get the issue resolved eventually. She explained to the doctor that as soon as she finished her current commitment, she’d return to address the problem and ensure everything looked its best, because she planned to use them again and they needed to be in good condition.

Lupita Nyong’o, known for her role in 12 Years a Slave, received a diagnosis of uterine fibroids—benign growths in or around the uterus—in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award for her performance in the film.

She didn’t share her diagnosis until 2025, when she revealed on Instagram that she had been privately struggling with the condition for over ten years.

She explained that growing up, many of us are taught to expect periods to be painful, and to accept that pain as a normal part of womanhood. This often leaves us dealing with a common experience in isolation.

 

In July 2025, the actress from Daisy Jones & The Six revealed she was hospitalized for a hernia. This happened because she had been wearing pants that were too tight, which caused a gap in her abdominal muscles.

Someone messaged Suki on X (formerly Twitter) asking why she hadn’t been posting lately. Suki jokingly replied that she’d been hiding a serious injury – a hernia caused by wearing overly tight pants six months ago – and was afraid to mention it.

The former star of Beverly Hills, 90210 shared in April 2025 that he was recovering from surgery for a nearly ruptured appendix.

Brian shared in an Instagram video that he recently experienced stomach pain which led him to the emergency room. He explained he had a perforated appendix – it hadn’t fully burst, but was very close to doing so.

He added, “I’m on the road to recovery. It’s not an easy process. This is my first major surgery.”

During a soccer game against Seattle Reign on September 14th at Lumen Field in Seattle, a midfielder from Racing Louisville collapsed after only a few minutes of play.

According to Reuters, the U.S. Women’s National Team player was seen slowly sitting down on the field with a teammate supporting her, before suddenly collapsing. Trainers were immediately called to assess her condition.

After receiving immediate medical attention on the field, Savannah was taken to a nearby hospital for further tests. League officials reported she is currently stable and responsive.

Adam Devine revealed that injuries from being hit by a cement truck at age 11 continue to cause him problems even now.

“It’s been a really difficult time,” Devine shared on the In Depth With Graham Bensinger podcast in 2025. “I’ve been experiencing spasms all over my body, and doctors recently told me I was facing a life-threatening situation—within the last year, actually.”

He acknowledged that pain is temporary, explaining that his body has some minor imperfections and isn’t quite working as it should.

A former contestant on The Bachelor went to the hospital in severe back pain, reportedly crawling because it hurt so much. The pain flared up during a road trip with a friend while traveling in an RV.

He described a lingering tingling sensation in his knees and toes, saying it was “crazy” in a March 2025 episode of his podcast, Trading Secrets. To illustrate the extent of the issue, he explained that just a few weeks prior, he was able to squat 295 pounds. Now, he can’t even do a squat or stand on one foot without falling, comparing the feeling to having a stroke.

But with the help of a back specialist and some steroids, he added, “We’re on the mend.”

Gina Kirschenheiter, from The Real Housewives of Orange County, revealed that her ex-husband, Matt Kirschenheiter, had a heart attack in March 2025, but he is now recovering.

In March 2025, the actor from 30 Rock experienced a medical issue at a New York Knicks game and had to be taken out of Madison Square Garden in a wheelchair.

Okay, so I totally freaked out when I heard he was sick! But then, thank goodness, he posted an update! It turns out it was just food poisoning, and he’s already getting better! I’m SO relieved, honestly. I was a mess!

In February 2025, the former Even Stevens star revealed she was accidentally shot in the face during a birthday celebration for her husband, Brendan Rooney. They were on a clay pigeon shooting outing at the time.

In an Instagram post, she explained that she was accidentally shot in the face by someone at a party. They fired a weapon unsafely, and she was hit five times. One bullet came dangerously close to her right eye. Brendan Rooney quickly helped her, evaluating her injuries and immediately taking her to the hospital.

The Kim Possible actor explained that a small piece of something got stuck behind their eye. Doctors have advised against removing it with surgery right now, but they will keep monitoring the situation, as their vision is currently normal.

The actress expressed immense gratitude for surviving a frightening experience. She shared how much she cherishes her daughters, husband, family, and friends, explaining that she realized how precious life is. She urged everyone to hug their loved ones often, because things can change unexpectedly.

Amy Schumer is grateful for the internet, despite its downsides, because it helped her discover a health issue. After noticing she looked “puffier” during interviews, she faced criticism online. Surprisingly, doctors began commenting, expressing concern that she might have Cushing syndrome, a condition often linked to high cortisol levels or steroid use. This prompted Amy to realize she’d been receiving steroid injections after a breast reduction and C-section. She later learned she had a form of Cushing syndrome that would resolve on its own, and she’s relieved to be healthy. She shared this positive news in a February 2024 newsletter, calling it the “greatest news imaginable.”

In December 2024, an AHL player suffered a skate cut during a game, requiring 25 stitches to close the wound. After his son made a full recovery, New Jersey Devils General Manager Tom Fitzgerald shared with ESPN how relieved they were, saying, “We feel very fortunate, and no parent should have to go through that.”

As a wellness advocate, I’ve always believed in sharing personal experiences to help others, and I want to open up about something really scary that happened to me. Last year, while having breakfast with my husband, Justin, I suddenly started feeling unwell. I couldn’t respond when he asked if I was okay, and then I realized I couldn’t speak. The right side of my face started to droop, and I just couldn’t get the words out. Thankfully, it passed, but I immediately went to the hospital to get checked out.

It turned out I’d had a small blood clot travel to my brain, which doctors identified as a TIA, or transient ischemic attack. Further testing at UCLA revealed I have a hole in my heart called a patent foramen ovale, or PFO. Essentially, the clot had gone through that hole and caused the TIA.

I recently underwent a procedure to close the PFO, and I’m so happy to say I’m feeling fantastic now. I wanted to share my story to raise awareness and encourage everyone to listen to their bodies and seek medical attention if something doesn’t feel right.

The same year Hailey faced a health issue, Justin also experienced one. In June 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis on one side of his face. This forced him to cancel the remaining dates of his Justice World Tour.

In a video posted to Instagram, Justin explained the condition affects nerves in his ear and face, preventing him from blinking, smiling, or moving his nostril on the affected side. He also shared that it became increasingly difficult for him to eat.

Fortunately, the paralysis eventually went away. Hailey shared on Good Morning America that Justin was recovering well, calling the situation scary but assuring everyone he would be okay and was grateful he was on the mend.

As someone who often talks about prioritizing well-being, I was really moved by Jamie Foxx’s openness about his health journey. He initially kept things private, but recently shared a very personal story about what happened to him last year. He described having a terrible headache one day while in Atlanta, and before he could even take an aspirin, he lost consciousness for nearly twenty days! It turns out he had a brain bleed that led to a stroke. His sister, Deidra, thankfully stepped in and got him to the hospital. After surgery, he woke up on May 4th in a wheelchair, unable to walk. He then spent time in Chicago focusing on rehab and therapy to regain his strength. He’s incredibly grateful for all the prayers and support he received, saying he truly needed every single one. It’s a powerful reminder that health is precious, and taking care of yourself – and having a strong support system – is everything.

The reality TV star said she briefly stopped breathing while running a mile during the first challenge on the NBC competition show.

She shared on the show Fit for TV: The Reality of The Biggest Loser that her memory of the event was fragmented. She recalled hearing a helicopter, feeling like she was floating, and then seeing her grandfather. After that, she remembered only darkness, followed by light, leading her to realize she had died that day.

Let me tell you, I was seriously unwell. I actually didn’t know what was happening to my body, but it turns out I had rhabdomyolysis. Basically, it’s your body’s emergency signal – a way of saying, ‘Something is critically wrong, and I need to stop functioning to protect myself.’ It was a scary time, realizing my organs were starting to fail.

Emilia Clarke, known for her role in Game of Thrones, revealed a harrowing health battle in a 2019 essay for The New Yorker. While filming the series, she experienced a sudden, severe headache while at the gym. She described collapsing and being violently ill, quickly realizing something was seriously wrong with her brain.

After being rushed to the hospital, doctors diagnosed her with a subarachnoid hemorrhage – a life-threatening stroke caused by bleeding in the space around the brain. She had suffered an aneurysm, a rupture in an artery.

Clarke underwent immediate surgery to repair the aneurysm, describing the pain as excruciating. During her recovery, she experienced aphasia, leaving her unable to speak coherently. Fortunately, the aphasia subsided after a week, and she was discharged from the hospital a month later.

However, a 2013 brain scan revealed the aneurysm had doubled in size, requiring a second surgery. This procedure initially failed, causing a massive bleed and putting her life at risk. Doctors had to perform a more invasive surgery, accessing her brain directly through her skull.

Clarke is now thankfully fully recovered and says she is “at a hundred per cent.”

Cori Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s daughter, recently shared how thankful she is for her family’s support after experiencing a stroke in January 2024. She immediately reached out to them, sending a text and a picture, and they quickly came to her aid, she told TopMob News. While she could have been discharged after the stroke, other health issues, including lupus and kidney problems, required a longer hospital stay. Cori is now recovering well, saying she’s doing great and has mostly regained her motor skills. She’s grateful for her family’s unwavering support during a difficult time.

I’ve been a long-time admirer of Shailene Woodley, and I was really moved by what she recently shared about her health struggles. She explained that her early twenties were incredibly difficult – she was dealing with a lot of mysterious symptoms. She actually lost some of her hearing and couldn’t even walk for more than five minutes without needing to rest for hours! Everything she ate caused her stomach pain, and she spent years going from doctor to doctor, getting different and confusing diagnoses.

Because she comes from a holistic background and studies herbalism, Shailene decided to take a multi-faceted approach, working with both traditional doctors and alternative healers. It was a ten-year journey to figure things out, and she admitted that the physical discomfort led to a lot of anxiety around food and even body image issues. She really wrestled with feeling safe and comfortable in her own body.

But thankfully, she’s now in a much better place. She shared that her health issues eventually resolved themselves, and she’s incredibly happy and healthy now. It’s so inspiring to hear her openness and resilience, and I’m thrilled she’s doing well.

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2025-12-16 18:50