Angelina Jolie Reflects on Mother's Fatal Cancer Diagnosis With Touching Photo

Angelina Jolie paid tribute to her mother Marcheline Bertrand on World Ovarian Cancer Day.

The actress, who rarely shares her personal life on social media, wrote an emotional and reflective note about losing her mom to cancer.

"Tomorrow would have bee my mother's 73rd birthday. She passed away 15 years ago, after a long struggle with breast and ovarian cancer. In June, I will be a month away from the age when she was diagnosed. I have had preventative surgeries to try to lessen chances but I continue to have check-ups," she wrote.

Jolie continued, "My mom loved Hendrix. And would always sign her letters Kiss the Sky. It took on new meaning after she passed. Sending my love to those who have also lost loved ones and strength to those who are fighting at this very moment for their lives and the lives of those they love."

She finished her note urging people to get tested, writing, "And to the other women, please take the time to look after yourself and go for your mammogram and blood tests or ultrasounds, particularly if you have a family history of cancer."

Jolie also included a rare polaroid of herself as a child with Bertrand, both dressed in white gowns playing on the floor.

In 2013, Jolie wrote an essay for The New York Times explaining her decision to get a preventive double mastectomy.

"I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent. I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer," she wrote at the time.