In December 2025, Angelina Jolie appeared on the inaugural cover of TIME France—a moment that reportedly sparked online trolling toward the actress.
For the first time, the 50-year-old openly revealed the scars from her 2013 preventive double mastectomy, explaining that her intention was to raise global awareness about breast cancer screening and to show solidarity with other women who have undergone similar procedures.
“I share these scars with many women I love,” Jolie told TIME France. “And I’m always moved when I see others share theirs.”
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Angelina Jolie Insiders Defend Her 'TIME' Cover
The feature also reflected on the so-called “Angelina Effect,” a term coined after Jolie’s original disclosure led to a reported 20 percent increase in breast cancer screenings in France and significantly boosted awareness of genetic testing worldwide.
Despite the positive intent behind the cover, some online critics accused the Oscar winner of using the moment to seek sympathy amid her ongoing legal battle with ex-husband Brad Pitt, claiming she was “twisting” her health struggles for attention. In response, sources close to the actress have come to her defense, condemning the trolling and standing by her decision to speak openly about her experience.
A source close to the mother of six said, "She is proud of what she's done and why she's sharing it. But people are twisting it, linking it to everything else going on in her life. The online abuse has been brutal, and it's compounded by the legal fight over the winery."
Another insider added, "These people should be ashamed of themselves. They are opportunists after web clicks, as Angelina's photoshoot clearly has nothing to do with some crackpot theory; she bared all to try and draw some kind of sympathy vote from lawmakers and fans."
Angelina Jolie's Family History With Cancer
Angelina has a significant family history of cancer, which played a major role in her decision to undergo preventive surgeries after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. In September 2025, while promoting her film Couture, Jolie reflected on how both her mother and grandmother were undergoing chemotherapy by the age of 50.
Her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died in 2007 at age 56 following an eight-year battle with ovarian and breast cancer. Jolie’s grandmother, Lois Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer at age 45, before Jolie was born. Her aunt, Debbie Martin—the younger sister of her mother—passed away from breast cancer in May 2013 at age 61, shortly after Jolie publicly disclosed her own preventive double mastectomy. Additionally, her great-grandmother, Virginia Gouwens, died of ovarian cancer at age 53.
The Legal Battle With Brad Pitt Continues
As of January 2026, the legal and personal relationship between Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt remains complicated. In December 2025, a Los Angeles judge granted Pitt a procedural win by ordering Jolie to turn over previously withheld private emails and text messages related to her 2021 sale of her winery stake. The trial over the winery dispute is currently scheduled for February 1, 2027, with court-ordered mediation set for October 28, 2026.
