Angelina Jolie mom, Marcheline Bertrand, was far more than just the mother of a Hollywood superstar—she was an actress, a devoted single parent, a humanitarian, and the emotional foundation behind Angelina Jolie’s life and values. From giving up her own acting ambitions to raising her children with love, discipline, and cultural awareness, Angelina Jolie mom played a defining role in shaping the woman the world knows today. Her influence can be seen in Angelina’s career choices, her deep compassion for others, and her outspoken advocacy for women’s health, making Marcheline Bertrand an essential part of Angelina Jolie’s story.
Angelina Jolie is one of the most recognizable and influential figures in global culture — an Oscar-winning actress, humanitarian, filmmaker, and mother. But behind every great life is a story of inspiration, influence, and love. For Angelina Jolie, that story begins with her mother: Marcheline Bertrand — a woman whose grace, courage, and devotion shaped not just her children’s lives, but the way the world came to know Angelina Jolie.
This article explores in intimate detail who Angelina Jolie’s mom was, her life and career, her struggles, her love for her children, her legacy, and the profound impact she had — both on Angelina’s life and on the world at large.
Who Was Angelina Jolie Mom?
Angelina Jolie’s mother was Marcia Lynne “Marcheline” Bertrand, born on May 9, 1950, in Blue Island, Illinois, USA. She passed away on January 27, 2007, at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer.
Marcheline was more than “just” an actress — she was a mother, a dreamer, a humanitarian, and an influence whose legacy continues to be felt through her daughter’s life and work.
Angelina Jolie Mom : Early Life and Family Background
Angelina Jolie mom Marcheline Bertrand was born into a family with modest roots. Her parents were Lois June (née Gouwens) and Rolland F. Bertrand, and she grew up with a younger sister, Debbie, and a younger brother, Raleigh. Her family was of French-Canadian, Dutch, and German descent.
In 1965, when Angelina Jolie Mom Marcheline was in her mid-teens, her family relocated from the Midwest to Beverly Hills, California. This move ultimately exposed her to the world of entertainment and Hollywood culture during her formative years. She attended Beverly Hills High School, where she completed her education and began to see a world of possibilities beyond her humble beginnings.
Career: From Hollywood Aspiring Actress to Talented Performer
Angelina Jolie Mom Marcheline Bertrand pursued her passion for acting. She began studying performance and appeared in a few screen roles during the 1970s and 1980s:
Key Career Highlights
Angelina Jolie Mom appeared in an episode of the TV series Ironside in 1971.
She acted in the 1982 film Lookin’ to Get Out and had a role in the 1983 movie The Man Who Loved Women.
In 2005, she appeared — and worked as an executive producer — on the documentary Trudell.
Despite these appearances and her obvious talent, Marcheline’s acting ambitions were not fully realized. She put her dreams on hold when her personal life, especially motherhood, took center stage. Angelina has openly shared that her mom gave up acting to raise her and her brother.
Angelina Jolie Mom and her relationship with Jon Voight
In 1971, Marcheline married actor Jon Voight, already an Oscar-winning and rising film star. Together, they had two children:
James Haven – born May 11, 1973.
Angelina Jolie – born June 4, 1975, at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, the marriage did not last. Although they stayed together for five years, their relationship was troubled, and they separated by 1976, finalizing their divorce in 1978.
Angelina has described how the divorce and her father’s infidelity deeply affected her mother emotionally and influenced her decision to devote herself fully to her children rather than pursuing her career.
Raising Angelina Jolie and James Haven
After the divorce, Marcheline dedicated herself entirely to raising her two children — at times as a single mother in Hollywood, balancing love and challenges in a world that was neither simple nor gentle.
Life as a Single Mom
Marcheline moved between Palisades, New York, and Los Angeles, raising Angelina and James. Although finances were often tight and they lived simply, the emotional connection was strong. Stories from James and Angelina describe a home filled with warmth, regular family meals, and disciplined — yet compassionate — parenting.
She was methodical about education, helping with homework, using flashcards, and integrating lessons into daily life, even while cooking in the kitchen.
Angelina has called her mother her best friend — someone she could speak to about anything.
How Angelina Jolie Mom Influenced Her Career
Angelina Jolie mom Marcheline wasn’t just a caregiver; she was an emotional anchor. Angelina described her as:
A great listener and trusted friend.
A woman of natural elegance, modest in her tastes yet always refined in her own way.
Someone who valued books, theater, and art — immersing her children in culture from an early age.
Indeed, Angelina credits her mother with introducing her to theater and encouraging her artistic interests, helping shape her future path toward acting and creativity.
Angelina Jolie Mom’s Battle With Cancer
The most challenging chapter of Angelina Jolie mom Marcheline’s life began in 1999, when she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Over the next several years, the disease progressed and she also developed breast cancer.
Despite treatments and the pain she endured, Marcheline lived for several years — long enough to meet Angelina’s first children and see her children grow. Angelina later shared that her mother persevered through chemotherapy because she wanted to see her grandchildren and feel confident that her daughter was on the right path as a parent.
In January 2007, after nearly eight years of battling cancer, Angelina Jolie Mom Marcheline passed away at 56 years old at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, surrounded by her children.Cancer, Genetics, and Angelina’s Response
Cancer, Genetics, and Angelina’s Response
Angelina Jolie Mom Marcheline’s struggle with cancer had a profound effect on Angelina and her approach to health and advocacy.
Because her mother — and other female relatives — died from cancers linked to genetic risk, Angelina discovered she carried the BRCA1 genetic mutation, which dramatically increased her own risk of both breast and ovarian cancer.
In 2013, Angelina made international headlines when she publicly shared her decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 mutation — a decision she described in a widely read New York Times op-ed. This act brought global attention to genetic testing and preventative cancer measures — often called “The Angelina Effect”.
She also later had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed to further reduce her cancer risk.
These deeply personal health decisions and Angelina’s openness about them were directly inspired by her mother’s experience — transforming grief into advocacy for women’s health worldwide.
Emotional Legacy and How Angelina Remembers Her
Angelina’s reflections on her mother are heartfelt and deep:
She said she feels “in contact” with her mother when she looks at her own children — seeing her mother’s spirit in her parenting.
She honored her mother’s legacy at awards ceremonies by recalling her love for books and theater, and how she brought culture into their modest home.
After her mother’s death, Angelina found early acting footage of her — and realized how talented her mom had been — a reminder of dreams postponed and love offered.
Angelina even got a small tattoo referencing a song her mother used to sing to her as a child — a personal tribute carried forever on her hand.
These stories reveal not just grief, but a lifelong connection and a desire to honor her mother’s memory in every chapter of her own life.
Legacy Beyond the Personal: Humanitarian and Awareness Work
Angelina Jolie Mom Marcheline was not just a mother and artist — she was a humanitarian at heart. In her later years, she founded an initiative called Give Love, Give Life to raise awareness about gynecological cancers and support research. Events she hosted featured performances and raised funds to support screenings and research.
Angelina carries forward that legacy:
Through her advocacy on genetic testing and cancer awareness.
Through her humanitarian work with refugees, children, and global communities, echoing her mother’s values of service and love.
Through the way she raises her own children with empathy, culture, and compassion at the center of their upbringing.
Personal – and Public – Recognition of Marcheline’s Influence
Angelina has publicly spoken of her mother’s influence many times, including at major film festivals and awards ceremonies. For instance:
At the 2024 Gotham Awards, Angelina recalled how her mother kept books in unconventional places but still made learning and culture central to their lives.
At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Angelina spoke emotionally about her mother’s attitudes toward cancer, sharing that her mom believed illness shouldn’t define a person — an idea she carries forward in her own advocacy.
These appearances illustrate a daughter continually shaped by a mother who taught her to see beyond adversity.
Summary: Why Marcheline Bertrand Matters
Marcheline Bertrand was not a household name like her daughter — but her influence was just as powerful:
1.A Loving Mother
She raised two children with love, strength, and cultural richness despite financial hardship.
2.An Aspiring Artist
She pursued acting with passion and encouraged her children’s artistic dreams.
3.A Humanitarian
She used her voice and initiatives to support cancer awareness and research.
4.A Source of Enduring Inspiration
Angelina’s life, career, and advocacy echo her mother’s values of compassion, resilience, and devotion.
In every sense, Marcheline Bertrand’s story remains one of love, courage, and legacy, woven into the fabric of Hollywood, humanitarian work, and her daughter’s extraordinary life.
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Refference:
Angelina Jolie opens up about how her father’s affair destroyed her mom’s dream of family life(Hola!)
Angelina Jolie ‘Appreciates Getting Older’ as 50th Birthday Nears ‘Because She Lost Her Mom Young’ (PEOPLE)
Angelina Jolie Shows Double Mastectomy Scars for the First Time ( DAILY BEAST )
Marcheline Bertrand (Wikipedia)
