Angelina Jolie has opened up about being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy and her struggles following her very public split from husband Brad Pitt.
In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Jolie revealed that she developed Bell’s Palsy, in addition to hypertension, in 2016.
The condition, which she tells the publication she has since recovered from, caused one side of her face to droop as a result of damage to facial nerves. “Sometimes women in families put themselves last,” she says, “until it manifests itself in their own health.”
The star also shared that after undergoing a preventative double mastectomy, reconstructive surgery and later her ovaries removed – she immediately experienced menopause.
The 43-year-old actress quipped that she experienced menopause during a very difficult time in her life as her highly publicised marriage with Brad Pitt broke down last year.
“I can’t tell if it’s menopause or if it’s just been the year I’ve had.”
On her divorce from the actor, Jolie revealed that for nine months her and the couple’s six children “lived out of suitcases.”
“It’s just been the hardest time, and we’re just kind of coming up for air.”
“We’re all trying to do our best to heal our family.”
She says, thankfully, the children seem to be handling the split well: “They’re six very strong-minded, thoughtful, worldly individuals. I’m very proud of them.”
“They’ve been very brave. They were very brave.”
But the actress does admit she worries about how her emotions will affect them. “I was very worried about my mother, growing up – a lot. I do not want my children to be worried about me,” she said.
“I think it’s very important to cry in the shower and not in front of them.
“They need to know that everything’s going to be all right even when you’re not sure it is.”
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This article originally appeared on WHO
