Marcheline Bertrand: Life, Legacy of Angelina Jolie’s Mother
Most people know Angelina Jolie as one of the most famous actresses in the world, but behind her success was a woman who never sought the spotlight: her mother, Marcheline Bertrand. This article traces her life from a small‑town girl in Illinois to a Hollywood mother who raised two children alone after a difficult divorce, and explores how her legacy of resilience and activism lives on through her daughter.
Born: May 9, 1950 · Died: January 27, 2007 · Age at Death: 56 years · Children: 2 (Angelina Jolie and James Haven) · Marriage to Jon Voight: 1971–1980 (divorced)
Quick snapshot
- Born May 9, 1950 in Blue Island, Illinois (IMDb (film database))
- Died January 27, 2007 in Los Angeles from ovarian and breast cancer (Legacy.com (obituary archive))
- Married to Jon Voight from 1971 to 1980 (Wikipedia (user‑edited encyclopedia))
- Mother of Angelina Jolie and James Haven (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Exact reasons for the breakdown of her marriage to Jon Voight remain private
- Her net worth at the time of death is not publicly documented
- Specific details of her early life before moving to Beverly Hills are sparse
- Whether she had any other marriages (IMDb lists a previous marriage to Tom Bessamra, but this is unconfirmed)
- The exact date of her ovarian cancer diagnosis (only the year 1999 is given)
- Nature of her relationship with her own parents (little is publicly known)
- 1971: Marries Jon Voight at age 21
- 1975: Daughter Angelina Jolie born (Bertrand was 25)
- 1980: Divorce finalized; she raises children alone
- 1999: Diagnosed with ovarian cancer
- 2007: Dies at 56 after nearly eight‑year battle
- Angelina Jolie continues her mother’s humanitarian and philanthropic work
- The Give Love Give Life concert series she founded continues to raise awareness for gynecological cancers
- Her story remains a reference point in discussions about single parenthood and cancer advocacy
Seven key facts about Marcheline Bertrand, one pattern: a life marked by early family, a short Hollywood marriage, and a lasting impact through her children.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marcia Lynne ‘Marcheline’ Bertrand |
| Born | May 9, 1950, Blue Island, Illinois, USA |
| Died | January 27, 2007, Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actress, producer |
| Spouse | Jon Voight (m. 1971; div. 1980) |
| Children | Angelina Jolie, James Haven |
| Notable Work | Lookin’ to Get Out (1982) |
What Happened Between Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand?
Marcheline Bertrand and Jon Voight were married on December 12, 1971, according to Wikipedia (user‑edited encyclopedia). The couple had two children: James Haven (born 1973) and Angelina Jolie (born 1975). But the marriage unraveled in the late 1970s, and they divorced in 1980. Voight later told People (celebrity news magazine) that they were “very young” and that “it didn’t work out.” After the split, Bertrand raised James and Angelina primarily as a single mother. The IMDb trivia page (film database) notes that she became involved in Native American causes after the divorce.
The implication: the divorce shaped not only her children’s upbringing but also Bertrand’s own shift toward humanitarian work.
How Old Was Marcheline Bertrand When She Had Angelina Jolie?
She was 25 years old when Angelina Jolie was born on June 4, 1975, as recorded by
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