Introduction
Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, played a crucial role in shaping the Hollywood icon’s life and values. Born on May 9, 1950, Bertrand was a former actress who dedicated herself to raising Jolie and her brother, instilling a strong sense of compassion and resilience.
Though her acting career was brief, she deeply influenced Jolie’s journey in Hollywood and humanitarian work. Bertrand’s battle with ovarian cancer ended in 2007, but her legacy lives on.
Angelina Jolie, born June 4, 1975, is now 49 years old and stands 5 feet 7 inches (1.69 meters) tall. She often acknowledges that her mother’s love and guidance remain the foundation of her success.
| Category | Details |
| Marcheline Bertrand | Former actress, mother of Angelina Jolie (b. 1950 – d. 2007) |
| Career | Minor roles in Ironside (1971), Lookin’ to Get Out (1982), The Man Who Loved Women (1983) |
| Personal Life | Married Jon Voight (1971-1976); later partners Bill Day & John Trudell |
| Children | James Haven (b. 1973), Angelina Jolie (b. 1975) |
| Humanitarian Work | Co-founded All Tribes Foundation, advocated for Native American rights |
| Angelina Jolie | Born June 4, 1975 (49 years old), actress, director, humanitarian |
| Education | Studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and UCLA |
| Career | Oscar winner (Girl, Interrupted), global fame with Lara Croft, Mr. & Mrs. Smith |
| Humanitarian Efforts | UNHCR Special Envoy, advocate for refugee rights & women’s health |
| Physical Appearance | 5’7″ (1.69m), ~119 lbs (54kg), blue eyes, dark brown hair |
| Mother’s Influence | Shaped Jolie’s career, humanitarian work, and parenting |
Angelina Jolie’s Mother
Angelina Jolie’s mother, Marcheline Bertrand, was a significant figure. A former actress, Bertrand raised Jolie and her brother, James Haven, with a focus on compassion and resilience.
Although she didn’t seek fame like her ex-husband, Jon Voight, her influence shaped Jolie’s values and humanitarian efforts. Bertrand passed away in 2007, leaving a lasting impact on her daughter’s life and career.
Marcheline Bertran’s Early Life and Background
Birth and Family Roots
Marcia Lynne “Marcheline” Bertrand was born on May 9, 1950, in Blue Island, Illinois, to Lois June Gouwens and Rolland F. Bertrand. Her father, of French-Canadian descent, managed a bowling alley, while her mother had Dutch and German ancestry. Marcheline grew up in nearby Riverdale, Illinois, alongside her younger siblings, Debbie and Raleigh.
In 1965, the family relocated to Beverly Hills, California, where she attended Beverly Hills High School. Despite her modest upbringing, Bertrand developed a love for literature and the arts, traits she later instilled in her children.
Claimed Heritage and Identity
Marcheline often spoke of her Iroquois ancestry, though her ex-husband Jon Voight later contested this, suggesting it was exaggerated.
Nevertheless, this connection fueled her lifelong advocacy for Native American rights. Her daughter Angelina later clarified, “My mom wasn’t French Parisian—she grew up in a bowling alley. But she carried herself with a grace that made people think otherwise.”
A Brief Foray into Acting
Early Ambitions
Marcheline dreamed of becoming an actress, studying under Lee Strasberg, the renowned acting coach. Her early career included minor roles in television and film. In 1971, she appeared in an episode of Ironside, playing Connie in the episode Love, Peace, Brotherhood, and Murder.
Film Roles
Her most notable roles came in the early 1980s:
- Lookin’ to Get Out (1982): A comedy co-written by Jon Voight, where she played a brief role as “Girl in Jeep.”
- The Man Who Loved Women (1983): Her final acting role in Blake Edwards’ remake of the French film.
Though her acting career never soared, Bertrand pivoted to producing, co-founding Woods Road Productions with partner Bill Day. Her most significant project was the 2005 documentary Trudell, highlighting Native American activist John Trudell, which won awards at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Personal Life and Relationships
Marriage to Jon Voight
In 1971, Bertrand married rising star Jon Voight. The couple had two children: James Haven (b. 1973) and Angelina Jolie (b. 1975). Their marriage dissolved in 1976 due to Voight’s infidelity, with Bertrand raising the children as a single mother. Angelina later reflected, “She gave up her dreams to ensure we had stability.”
Later Partnerships
After her divorce, Bertrand began an 11-year relationship with filmmaker Bill Day. In the 1990s, she partnered with John Trudell, a Santee Sioux activist and poet, collaborating on humanitarian projects until her death.
Angelina Jolie’s Age
Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, which makes her 49 years old.
Jolie’s Education
Jolie studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in New York before attending the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she pursued filmmaking.
Angelina Jolie’s Career
Jolie began her acting career in the early 1990s, earning recognition for her performance in Girl, Interrupted, which won her an Academy Award. She gained global fame through films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider and Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Besides acting, Jolie has made a name for herself as a director, producer, and prominent humanitarian, serving as a Special Envoy for the UNHCR.
Angelina Jolie’s Physical Appearance
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (1.69 meters)
- Weight: Approximately 119 lbs (54 kg)
- Hair Color: Dark Brown
- Eye Color: Blue
- Body Type: Slim and athletic
- Distinct Features: High cheekbones, full lips, and striking blue eyes
The Architect of Angelina’s Early Career
A Mother’s Influence
Marcheline’s unfulfilled acting ambitions became the catalyst for Angelina’s career. “I didn’t choose acting—it was my mother’s dream,” Angelina admitted. Bertrand managed her daughter’s early roles, guiding her through Hollywood’s challenges. The duo worked as a team, with Angelina recalling, “I wanted to buy her a house; that’s how it started.”
Emotional Struggles
Marcheline’s 2007 death from ovarian cancer left Angelina adrift. “Acting became harder because I realized how much I did it for her,” she confessed. Yet Bertrand’s legacy endured: Angelina wore her mother’s ring at her wedding to Brad Pitt and named her daughter Vivienne Marcheline.
Humanitarian Work and Advocacy
Championing Indigenous Rights
With Trudell, Bertrand co-founded the All Tribes Foundation, supporting Native American communities. Her advocacy extended to environmental causes and education, reflecting her belief in “giving a voice to the voiceless.”
Fighting Women’s Cancers
After her 1999 ovarian cancer diagnosis, Bertrand launched Give Love Give Life, raising awareness for gynecological cancers. The initiative hosted benefit concerts and funded research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she died.
Battle with Cancer and Legacy
Bertrand fought ovarian and breast cancer for nearly eight years, passing away on January 27, 2007, at age 56. Angelina noted her mother’s determination to meet her grandchildren, saying, “She held on until she saw us in a good place.”
Marcheline’s death prompted Angelina to undergo preventive surgeries after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene. “She’d have wanted me to take action,” Angelina wrote in a New York Times op-ed, sparking global conversations about genetic testing.
Shaping Angelina’s Parenting and Philanthropy
A Model of Nurturing
Bertrand’s parenting style emphasized creativity and education. “Our house had books in the oven because we had more books than shelves,” Angelina recalled. This ethos influenced Jolie’s approach to raising her six children, blending adventure with learning.
Humanitarian Blueprint
Marcheline’s compassion left an indelible mark. Angelina, a UNHCR Special Envoy, credits her mother’s activism: “She took me to Amnesty International events as a child, teaching me to care deeply about the world.”
Conclusion
Marcheline Bertrand’s life was a tapestry of unrealized dreams and quiet resilience. Though her acting career never reached the heights of her daughter’s, her influence permeates Angelina’s artistry, philanthropy, and motherhood.
Bertrand’s story is a testament to the power of selfless love—a reminder that behind every star, an unsung hero often lit their path. As Angelina once poignantly stated, “My mother was grace incarnate. I’ll never be as good a mother as she was, but I’ll keep trying.”
In honoring Marcheline’s legacy, Angelina ensures that her mother’s light continues to shine on and off the screen.
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FAQs
Marcheline Bertrand was an actress and humanitarian best known as the mother of Angelina Jolie.
She had a brief acting career, appearing in films like Lookin’ to Get Out (1982) and The Man Who Loved Women (1983).
She had two children: James Haven and Angelina Jolie.
Her passing had a profound impact on Jolie, influencing her advocacy for cancer awareness and preventive health measures.
