Angelina Jolie recently revealed that acting became “more difficult” after the death of her mother Marcheline Bertrand, who encouraged her to pursue the craft professionally.
On Friday, actress María, 49, explained to W Magazine how she and her late mother, who was just 56 when she died in early 2007 from breast cancer, “were a team.”
Jolie wanted to make Bertrand “happy,” so she tried acting, although she revealed that she doesn’t remember “making the decision.”
“I did it at first because… it was my mother’s dream,” he told the outlet.
He recalled how his mother pursued her own career in the industry, tirelessly auditioning for stage roles in Chicago and film gigs in Los Angeles.
“But when my mother was 25, she got divorced and had two children and decided to focus her life solely on motherhood,” the Maleficent star said.
Angelina Jolie recently revealed that acting became “more difficult” after the death of her mother Marcheline Bertrand, who encouraged her to pursue the craft professionally; Bertrand and Jolie seen in 2001
At the time of her death, Bertrand had divorced Jolie’s father, actor Jon Voight. The exes also shared a son, former actor James Haven, 51.
“She loved being a housewife, but she really wanted me to be an actress, so I don’t remember making the decision to be an actress.” I remembered that it made my mother happy,” he recalled.
In 1982, Jolie, then six years old, made her acting debut alongside her father in Lookin’ to Get Out. And for her, pursuing a career in acting meant being able to help her mother pay the bills.
At the time, Bertrand was his manager.
“We were a team,” said Brad Pitt’s ex-wife. “I always wanted to buy him a house and things like that, it all started like that.”
The actress and her mother shared a long-lasting bond that lasted until heartbreak came.
Bertrand, diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and later with breast cancer, faced a tough battle against both diseases. On January 27, 2007, he tragically died at only 56 years old.
Reflecting on her mother’s death, she said: “When my mother passed away, I think it was harder for me to be an actress for a while.” I realized how much I meant to her.
A year after her mother’s passing, Jolie spoke to Vanity Fair about how her mother’s devotion to motherhood became a guiding light in her own journey as a mother.
“When (my mother) passed away, I realized that someone who lives life with that kind of dedication to their family is the noblest thing,” he shared.
‘In passing away, she reminded me what matters. And what’s more fun: putting yourself aside for these other little people you’re raising.
He wanted to make his mother “happy”, so he tried to act, although he revealed that he does not remember “making the decision”; Angelina seen in January 2025
Bertrand was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1999 and later breast cancer. On January 27, 2007, he tragically died at the age of 56; Angelina and Marcheline seen in August 1998
At the time of her death, Bertrand had divorced Jolie’s father, actor Jon Voight. The exes also shared a son, former actor James Haven, 51; Angelina and James seen in March 2000
Last month, Jolie paid a moving tribute to her late mother by accepting the Artist’s Tribute at the Gotham Awards for her role in Netflix’s Maria.
Detailing her mother’s passion for theater and literature, she explained how it influenced her own creative journey and that of her brother Haven.
‘I grew up with a mother who kept books inside the oven because there were more books in our house than shelves in the apartment we had,’ she said in her speech.
That’s how he solved the problem and at the same time made sure we were fed. But it was his priority.
Jolie shares six children with her ex Brad Pitt: Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 18, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16.