Angelina Jolie recalls how her mother watched the 1979 Oscars while Jon Voight attended with his mistress

Actress Angelina Jolie brought to light a poignant memory about her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2025. In her speech while receiving the Maltin Modern Master Award, Jolie shared an episode that shaped her family’s history and influenced her views on motherhood, career, and personal relationships. In 1979, when her father, Jon Voight, won the Oscar for Best Actor for Coming Home, he attended the ceremony accompanied by his mistress. Meanwhile, Bertrand watched the event from home, alone, taking care of her young children. The revelation, which drew attention from the public and the media, reinforced the long-standing tensions in Jolie’s relationship with her father, which has been marked by ups and downs over the decades.

Jon Voight and Marcheline Bertrand married in 1971 and officially divorced in 1980, though they had separated years earlier. The couple had two children, Angelina Jolie and James Haven, who were primarily raised by their mother following the split. During this period, Bertrand gave up her acting career to dedicate herself fully to raising her children, a choice that Jolie has always recognized as an act of love and sacrifice. The 1979 Oscars became one of the most emblematic moments of this turbulent divorce, leaving a lasting impact on Jolie’s perception of her family.

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The relationship between Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight has always been fraught with conflict, with periods of estrangement and reconciliation. In the early 2000s, the actress even removed her father’s surname from her stage name after he made public comments about her mental health. In recent years, despite a brief reconciliation, the bond between father and daughter remains distant, especially due to political differences and Voight’s controversial public statements.

The impact of her parents’ separation on Angelina Jolie’s journey

Angelina Jolie grew up under the strong influence of Marcheline Bertrand, who raised her almost entirely alone after her marriage to Voight ended. Bertrand abandoned her acting career to focus on parenting, creating an environment of protection and emotional support. The actress has revealed in interviews that her mother was the greatest influence in shaping her personal and professional life.

Her father’s absence had a significant impact on Jolie’s youth, leading to prolonged periods of estrangement between them. Though they briefly reconciled in 2010, their differences remained evident. Voight, who became an outspoken supporter of conservative U.S. politics, often clashed with Jolie, who is known for her progressive humanitarian efforts.

The 1979 Oscars serve as an example of a pattern in Voight’s behavior that, according to sources close to the family, was a recurring issue throughout their marriage. For Jolie, the memory of that night was a stark reminder of her mother’s silent suffering, having sacrificed her own ambitions for the well-being of her children.

Angelina Jolie’s rise and her connection to the Academy Awards

In 2000, Angelina Jolie had her own moment at the Oscars, winning Best Supporting Actress for Girl, Interrupted (1999). That night, she dedicated the award to her mother, symbolically repairing the pain Bertrand had endured years before. On several occasions, the actress has stated that her mother was her greatest emotional and professional support, emphasizing Bertrand’s influence on her journey in the film industry.

Winning an Oscar was a milestone in Jolie’s career, solidifying her as one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Unlike her father’s path, the actress has used her fame to advocate for social causes, becoming one of the world’s leading humanitarian ambassadors. Since then, her career has been marked by iconic roles in film, as well as her work as a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The turbulent relationship between Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight

The complexity of Angelina Jolie’s relationship with Jon Voight extends beyond personal matters, also involving ideological conflicts. Voight is a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, while Jolie is widely recognized for her activism and human rights advocacy. These differences have led to numerous public disputes, further straining their already fragile relationship.

In 2002, Voight publicly stated that Jolie needed help for “serious mental issues,” prompting the actress to completely cut ties with him. The estrangement lasted nearly a decade until 2010 when, influenced by her then-husband Brad Pitt, she resumed contact with Voight. However, the reconciliation was never fully solid, and in recent years, reports suggest their relationship has once again grown cold.

Marcheline Bertrand’s journey and her lasting influence on Jolie

Marcheline Bertrand was born in 1950 and pursued a career as an actress in the 1970s, but her rise was interrupted after her marriage to Jon Voight. Following their separation, she withdrew from the entertainment industry to focus on raising her children, though she did appear in a few film projects over the years.

Bertrand’s battle with ovarian cancer was one of the toughest challenges the family faced. In 2007, after nearly a decade of treatment, she passed away at the age of 56. Her death had a profound impact on Jolie, who has since become a strong advocate for women’s health. In 2013, the actress underwent a preventive double mastectomy after discovering she carried a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, a decision inspired by her mother’s experience.

The films that brought Angelina Jolie and Jon Voight together and apart

Jon Voight and Angelina Jolie have shared the screen a few times, most notably in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), where they played father and daughter. However, behind the scenes, their relationship remained tense. Despite attempts at reconciliation, their personal and professional differences were always evident.

Additionally, Voight and his ex-wife Marcheline Bertrand both appeared in Lookin’ to Get Out (1982), where Jolie made a brief cameo at just six years old. This film remains one of the few cinematic records featuring all three members of the family.

Jon Voight and his controversial public statements

• Successful career and controversies: Jon Voight built a respected career in Hollywood, but his personal and public life have been marked by controversies.
• Accusations of infidelity: During his marriage to Marcheline Bertrand, he faced allegations of multiple affairs, which contributed to their divorce and the family’s estrangement.
• Controversial political stance: In recent years, Voight has become an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump’s policies, generating mixed reactions in the entertainment industry.
• Clashes with Hollywood colleagues: His political statements have frequently led to conflicts with fellow actors and industry professionals, distancing him from mainstream Hollywood.
• Strained relationship with Angelina Jolie: Political differences further deepened the rift between father and daughter, as Jolie maintains a private stance on politics and focuses on humanitarian causes, avoiding public alignment with her father’s views.