Angelina Jolie’s breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Kristi Funk, appreciates her for accepting her double mastectomy scars.
In 2013, the Academy Award-winning Hollywood actress underwent a preventive double mastectomy after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. The gene mutation indicated that she had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer.
After the death of her mother Marcheline Bertrand from cancer, she preventively lowered the risk to less than 5% by undergoing a preventive double mastectomy, and later also had her ovaries removed.
Following her interview with the French media French Internazionale, the Mary star called her scars ‘a choice’.
Jolie further explained, “Well, I’ve always been someone who was more interested in the scars and the lives that people carry with them.”
“I’m not attracted to a perfect idea of a life without scars. So no, I think, hey, you know, I see my scars as a choice I made to do what I could do to stay here as long as I could with my kids.”
“That’s why I love my scars, you know, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to have the choice to do something proactive about my health. I lost my mother when I was young, and I’m raising my children without a grandmother,” the mother of six explains.
On her Instagram, Funk posted an appreciation post for Jolie, writing, “I was her surgeon. I made those scars.”
“Now when I hear her called a ‘Choice’ — because they mean life — it reveals the full circle of healing that most people never see. When I first met Angie, she made a courageous, deeply personal decision — one that would change her body forever, but also give her a near-guarantee of a life without breast cancer,” she added after sharing the photo. Maleficent quote from the actress.
“Scars are not deformities – they are survival choices made visible. They tell stories of courage, love and second chances,” Funk said.
In her latest film, Couturestarring Jolie as Maxine Walker, a filmmaker diagnosed with breast cancer, arrived in French cinemas on February 18, 2026 after premiering at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival.
