Angelina Jolie tears up over fans' support at first public appearance after double mastectomy

Jolie became emotional when talking about the overwhelming support she has received since revealing she had undergone the major surgery. ‘I’ve been very happy to see the discussion of women’s health expanded and that means the world to me,’ the superstar said
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Actress Angelina Jolie, left, poses with her fiance Brad Pitt , right, as she arrives for the U.K. premiere of Pitt's film "World War Z" at Leicester Square in central London on Sunday. Jolie, 37, revealed in mid-May that she chose to undergo surgery to minimize the risk she might develop breast cancer due to the inheritance of a 'faulty gene.'

Angelina Jolie teared up as she made her first public appearance since announcing her preemptive double mastectomy, joining boyfriend Brad Pitt at the London premiere of his new film “World War Z” Sunday.

Jolie, looking radiant in a sleek, backless black Yves Saint Laurent dress with mesh paneling across the front, became emotional when talking about the overwhelming support she has received since revealing she had undergone the major surgery.

She became obviously affected after being told what an impact her decision had had on women. The 37-year-old superstar said, “I’ve been very happy to see the discussion of women’s health expanded and that means the world to me.

“I am so grateful to have my health. And after losing my mom to these issues, I’m very grateful for it. I’ve been very moved by the support from people,” she said.

NEIL HALL/REUTERS

Angelina Jolie looks radiant in a sleek, backless black Yves Saint Laurent dress at the London premiere of Brad Pitt’s film 'World War Z.' Fans at the event expressed overhwelming support for the actress following her announcement that she'd had a double mastectomy.

Jolie’s mom, Marcheline Bertrand, died in 2007 at age 56, following a long bout with ovarian cancer.

Jolie revealed last month that she has an inherited genetic mutation that puts her at high risk of breast and ovarian cancer, prompting her to have the double mastectomy as a preventive measure.

The “Tomb Raider” star underwent a series of surgeries to remove her breasts and have them replaced by implants.

Looking very much the loving couple, she and Pitt hugged, held hands and posed for the cameras before she went off alone to sign autographs and chat to fans while her partner gave interviews.

“I think the world of her. She is an amazing woman,” the 49-year-old Pitt said.

“She wasn’t really nervous about coming to support me tonight; she was so moved — we were all so moved — by how much it meant to others. We didn’t realize, or certainly I didn’t realize, how many people were in limbo over this, deliberating, and unsure of what their options were," he said.

“They didn’t know the testing even existed, then you find out it is not available to everyone. It certainly should be, there is no reason for anyone to have to die. It’s become a tipping point. I’m very touched by the reaction; it makes me very emotional,” Pitt said.

Hundreds of fans turned out to the premiere in Leicester Square to support Jolie.

Carole Pearson, from Missouri, had the same operation and met the actress as she walked the red carpet.

“Angelina told me she was very touched by the impact her decision had,” Pearson said.

Some fans had banners, including one that read: “We love you, Angelina. Get well soon. You are our hero.”

Ishmael Montiel, 20, from San Diego, was on vacation in England and had been waiting 11 hours to see Jolie and Pitt.

“What Angelina did is powerful and will greatly impact on other women who see her as a role model,” the art student said. “She’s so famous and it’s so dramatic, so it has had a double impact.”

NY News