While Angelina Jolie has suffered some setbacks this year, the actress got some good news this week, as it was announced she would be honored by the Academy of Motion Pictures… but not for her acting.
Earlier this year, Angelina Jolie made headlines when she revealed in a New York Times op-ed that she’d undergone a controversial double mastectomy.
Jolie, whose mother Marcheline Bertrand died of ovarian cancer , carried the BRCA gene and a far higher risk of developing the illness. She opted for the radical surgery to reduce her risk, and endured a difficult reconstruction and recovery.
Angelina has not only advocated for breast cancer awareness — the star has been known for her work in developing countries through much of her career.
Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said in an announcement that the award being given to Angelina Jolie exists to recognize such achievements, explaining:
“The Governors Awards pay tribute to individuals who’ve made indelible contributions in their respective fields… We couldn’t be more excited for this year’s honorees and look forward to bringing their peers and colleagues together to celebrate their extraordinary achievements.”
Last year, Jolie commented on the balance of being a mom and being an actor, saying that most days she feels more like the former:
“I wake up in the morning as a [mom]… and I turn on the news like everybody else, and I see what’s happening, and I want to be part of the world in a positive way.”
Alongside Angelina Jolie, Steve Martin and Angela Lansbury will also receive honorary Academy Awards for their work.