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Overcoming the Pain of Losing Her Mother: Angelina Jolie Honors Her Great Mother at the 2024 Gotham Awards
The 2024 Gotham Awards, renowned for its celebration of independent filmmaking, was marked by an unexpected, yet profoundly moving moment. Amidst the usual glitz and glamour, it was a raw, deeply emotional tribute by Angelina Jolie to her late mother, Marcheline Bertrand, that captivated the audience and left a lasting imprint on the night’s proceedings. In a speech that was as much a celebration of life as it was a reminder of the enduring pain of loss, Jolie poured out her heart, honoring the memory of a woman who had shaped her life in ways that few could ever truly understand.
The Unspoken Bond Between Mother and Daughter
Angelina Jolie’s bond with her mother was one of the most formative aspects of her life. Marcheline Bertrand, though known to the public as the mother of one of Hollywood’s most famous stars, was an influential figure in her own right. A former actress who largely stayed out of the limelight, Marcheline dedicated much of her life to raising her children with love, compassion, and an enduring sense of responsibility. Despite facing personal challenges, including a battle with cancer that eventually claimed her life in 2007, Marcheline’s presence in her children’s lives was unwavering.
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At the Gotham Awards, Jolie didn’t just recall her mother’s achievements or the pain of her passing; she spoke with a rare vulnerability, shedding light on the deep, often unspoken connection between them. “She was the calm in my storm, the one person who always knew exactly what to say, even when I didn’t know how to ask for it,” Jolie shared, her voice trembling with emotion. “She taught me how to love deeply and live authentically. Even in her silence, she was my strongest teacher.”
A Mother’s Love and Sacrifice
The heart of Jolie’s tribute was the recognition of her mother’s quiet sacrifices, many of which went uncelebrated by the public. Marcheline Bertrand’s decision to step away from the spotlight to care for her children and support their growth was something that Jolie often spoke about, especially in the context of her own journey as a mother. While Marcheline could have pursued her own career with vigor, she chose instead to focus on her family, instilling in her children values of humility, empathy, and perseverance.
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Jolie’s words painted a picture of a woman who may not have sought recognition, but whose actions were rooted in a profound desire to create a better world for her children. “She never needed to be in the spotlight. She found her fulfillment in the small, everyday moments with us. Her greatest strength was in her ability to give, without asking for anything in return,” Jolie reflected, her voice now filled with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. “In every moment she gave me, she was teaching me to be strong and independent, to follow my own path, but also to remember the importance of kindness.”
Despite the public’s often fleeting focus on celebrities, Jolie highlighted the personal side of her mother’s story, a tale of quiet resilience and the silent strength that often goes unnoticed. “My mother taught me what true grace looks like. It’s not about being perfect or flawless, but about the courage to show up, to love deeply, and to live with integrity,” Jolie explained, capturing the essence of her mother’s life philosophy.
The Pain of Loss: A Wound That Never Heals
While the tribute was one of love and admiration, it also served as a reminder of the deep, aching pain that comes with losing someone who was so integral to your identity. Marcheline Bertrand’s death in 2007 left an undeniable void in Jolie’s life, one that, despite the years, still lingers in profound ways. Jolie spoke candidly about how the pain of losing her mother has never fully gone away, despite the success she’s found in both her personal and professional life. “You think that with time, the pain will fade. But it doesn’t. It changes, yes, but it’s always there. And in a way, I carry it with me because it’s a part of who I am now,” Jolie admitted.
In her speech, Jolie conveyed that this ongoing grief was not a burden, but rather something that continued to shape her. It was clear that her mother’s death had deeply impacted how Jolie navigated her career, her advocacy work, and even her role as a mother herself. As a mother of six, Jolie often reflects on the ways in which her own children help her heal, just as her mother’s presence helped her through many difficult times.
“I look at my children, and I see the lessons she gave me reflected in their eyes. Every time I hug them, I feel her presence,” Jolie shared, her voice filled with a tender longing. “There’s no roadmap for grief. But I’ve learned that it’s okay to carry it with love, to let it fuel you rather than break you.”
A Life Well-Lived: Remembering the Quiet Acts of Kindness
Jolie’s tribute wasn’t only about the loss of her mother, but also about the legacy that Marcheline left behind. Through stories of her mother’s quiet acts of kindness, resilience, and strength, Jolie was able to paint a portrait of a woman who lived with purpose. Marcheline’s commitment to helping others was something Jolie often reflected on in interviews, especially when discussing her own humanitarian work. “My mother was one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known. She never sought the limelight, but her heart was always in the right place. She believed in doing the right thing, no matter the cost,” Jolie explained.
Throughout her life, Marcheline was involved in various charitable causes, working behind the scenes to make a difference in her own quiet way. It was through this example that Jolie learned the importance of using her own platform for positive change. “She never saw her work as charity. To her, it was simply a matter of doing what needed to be done. I try to live by that principle every day,” Jolie reflected.
Her mother’s influence continued to guide Jolie even as she navigated the complexities of fame and the public eye. “My mother was the one who helped me keep perspective when the world seemed to be spinning too fast. She would remind me to slow down, to breathe, to think about what really matters,” Jolie shared. “It’s not about the accolades or the fame. It’s about the difference you make in the lives of others.”
An Emotional Moment of Connection
The audience at the 2024 Gotham Awards was visibly moved by Jolie’s words. As a room full of filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals sat in rapt attention, many found themselves caught up not just in the tributes to a beloved actress, but in the raw emotions shared by one of Hollywood’s most admired figures. What struck everyone was the universality of the emotions Jolie expressed. Whether or not they had experienced the loss of a parent, her words resonated with anyone who has ever loved deeply or struggled to overcome grief.
In this moment, Angelina Jolie was not just a celebrity or activist — she was a daughter, vulnerable and honest, sharing the most personal side of herself. As she spoke about her mother’s legacy, she also spoke about the deep bond they shared, a bond that transcended death. Through her words, Jolie reminded the audience that love, once given, never truly leaves us — it lingers, it shapes us, and it stays with us in ways we may not always expect.
In this quiet, intimate moment of reflection, the room was united not just in admiration for Jolie’s career, but in recognition of the deeper, unspoken emotions that connect us all. It was a reminder that, while the world may change and evolve, some things — like the love of a mother — remain constant, enduring beyond time and space.
