She did it for the kids: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt open up on cancer op

Angelina Jolie and her husband Brad Pitt have opened up for the first time about the decision for her to undergo major surgery to slash the risk of her developing cancer. They spoke emotionally about her double mastectomy and to have her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed as something she did “for the kids.” Jolie said the decision was greatly influenced by the death of her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, who died after a long battle with cancer. “The doctor that did my ovary surgery was my mother’s doctor. And apparently my mother had said to her, ‘Promise me you will take Angie’s ovaries out,’” Jolie explained.

So when we kind of got together, we both had a big cry, and she said, 'I promised your mother, and I gotta do this.’

Angelina Jolie recalls a meeting with her surgeon

Jolie had breast surgery in 2013 and in March of this year, after a blood test showed she may have signs of early-stage ovarian cancer, Jolie, 40, also had her ovaries removed. Pitt was in France when he learned of the op: “Seeing my wife have to be her strongest and knowing that it’s the scariest news is terribly moving. And not being there is a horrible feeling.” The couple’s TODAY show appearance was a rare joint interview with the two that showcased their ease with one another. By the Sea will be the first movie the two have starred in since Mr. and Mrs. Smith in 2005.

There was no vanity to my wife’s approach. It was mature. 'This is our life and we’re gonna make the best of it.’ There was a strength in that.

Brad Pitt on Angelina’s resolve

Celebrity Angelina Jolie