"She really wanted me to be an actress"— Angelina Jolie talks about her mother in new interview

In a recent interview with W magazine, Angelina Jolie opened up about how her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, played a pivotal role in shaping her career as an actress. The interview, published as part of the promotional campaign for Jolie's latest film, Maria, shed light on the deep bond between Jolie and her mother, and how Bertrand's dreams influenced her path into Hollywood.

Angelina Jolie revealed that acting wasn’t initially her personal aspiration but something she pursued to fulfill her mother’s ambitions. Bertrand, a devoted mother who once dreamed of a career in acting, encouraged Jolie to enter the entertainment industry, sparking a journey that would ultimately make Jolie one of Hollywood's most celebrated stars.

She said in the W magazine interview,

"She pursued acting, but by the time my mom was 25, she was divorced with two kids and she decided to focus her life solely on motherhood. She oloved being a stay-at-home mom, but she really wanted me to be an actress.”

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Angelina Jolie opens up about her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand

During the interview, Angelina Jolie spoke candidly about how her mother’s unfulfilled dreams shaped her early life. Bertrand, who had briefly pursued acting herself, chose to leave her career behind after divorcing actor Jon Voight at the age of 25 to focus on raising Jolie and her brother, James Haven.

Despite the sacrifices, Bertrand always made it clear to Jolie that she loved being a stay-at-home mom, but she deeply hoped her daughter would achieve what she couldn’t.

Angelina Jolie admitted that she doesn’t recall consciously deciding to become an actress. Instead, her early steps in Hollywood were fueled by her desire to make her mother proud.

She shared that Bertrand also served as her manager in those early days, creating a partnership that helped Jolie support their household financially. Jolie described their relationship as a team effort, with her ultimate goal being to provide her mother with a better life.

However, Bertrand’s death in 2007 from ovarian cancer left a lasting impact on Angelina Jolie, who said it became more challenging to continue acting without her mother. She realized how much of her career had been driven by Bertrand’s support and vision, and it took time for Jolie to rediscover her own connection to the craft.

She revealed to W Magazine,

"My mom was my manager, and we were a team. I always wanted to buy her a house, and things like that. When my mom passed, it was harder for me to be an actress... because I realized how much of it was for her.”

Now a mother of six, Angelina Jolie is determined to take a different approach with her children, allowing them the freedom to find their passions. She emphasized the importance of taking risks and living with passion.

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Angelina Jolie on her movie, Maria

In her new film, Maria, Angelina Jolie takes on the role of iconic opera singer Maria Callas. Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria delves into the final days of the legendary artist as she reflects on her life and career.

The biographical psychological drama offers a poignant look at Callas’ struggles with loneliness, public scrutiny, and personal loss, painting a portrait of a woman yearning for understanding and redemption.

Angelina described her portrayal of Callas as an opportunity to bring empathy to the opera singer’s story, particularly during the challenging final years of her life. She expressed a hope that audiences would reevaluate Callas’ legacy and appreciate the vulnerability and strength that defined her.

The film, an international co-production between Italy, Germany, and the United States, features a stellar supporting cast, including Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, and Haluk Bilginer.

It premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2024, earning critical acclaim for both its storytelling and Jolie’s captivating performance. Following a limited theatrical release, Maria is now available for streaming on Netflix.