Angelina Jolie started her acting career at a young age and rose to fame quickly. Apart from her award-winning performances, the actress is best known for her work as a director, UN ambassador, and philanthropist. Considering her celebrated career, one might believe that she has had a fortunate life.
Angelina Jolie as Thena in a still from Eternals
However, Jolie’s position in the industry doesn’t mean her life has also been perfect without any challenges. From a challenging upbringing to personal health issues and a high-profile divorce, Jolie has had her fair share of adversities. Her personal life has always been a subject of attention in the tabloids, leading to public scrutiny. The actress even had to undergo major surgery to prevent a life-threatening disease.

Angelina Jolie Underwent a Major Surgery as Prevention

Upon analyzing Angelina Jolie’s genetics, it was found that the actress had the BRCA1 gene, which is associated with breast cancer. Based on the findings, her medical team found an 87% likelihood of her developing breast cancer and a 50% chance of developing ovarian cancer, considering her family history.

Jolie wrote in her The New York Times op-ed.
“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.” 
Angelina Jolie in a still from Changeling
In 2015, the actress decided to take a proactive approach against cancer, choosing to undergo surgery that would remove her fallopian tubes and ovaries. Jolie lost her mother and grandmother to cancer and didn’t want to take the same risk with the disease.

In 2007, Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died after battling with ovarian cancer. Her loss was particularly painful for the actress as her grandmother also succumbed to the same disease, instilling in her a fear of dying prematurely and leaving her children without a mother.

Angelina Jolie Once Spit On Her Co-star’s Face

Throughout her acting career, Angelina Jolie has taken on roles that not only challenge her but also become fan favorites. This approach was also seen in her role of Olympias, the mother of Colin Farrell’s Alexander the Great, in the film Alexander. 

In an intense scene, Jolie spontaneously spits on Farrell during a heated argument. It was a candid and unscripted moment that surprised everyone but also skillfully showcased the emotional friction between the characters. 

Angelina Jolie in Alexander
Jolie said (via Farout):
“That was improvised. That just happened. And me spitting on him just happened. It was when they were fighting, and it actually came out of him disrespecting her. In fact, it was a crass thing, and it angered me.”
The fact that the director did not guide Jolie during the improvised scene shows how serious Jolie was about portraying the character. Among all her commanding roles, the role of Olympias stands out as one of the most challenging yet impressive ones. The character also drew more attention than Farrell’s character.