Angelina Jolie confided in Billy Bob Thornton about her double mastectomy.
The former couple - who split 10 years ago- are still close and Angelina called Billy Bob to warn him that she was planning to undergo surgery after finding out she carried the BRCA1 cancer gene, which gave her an 87 per cent chance of developing breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer.
He is quoted by In Touch Weekly magazine: "She told me she wanted to let me know before the public so I wouldn't freak out. She's an amazing person."
While the actress turned to her former partner once she made the decision to have the surgery, it was her husband Brad Pitt's mother who convinced her it was the right choice to make.
An insider previously revealed: "Basically, Brad's mom helped save Angie's life.
"When Angie told Jane that she was considering having genetic testing, Jane said to do whatever she thought was best for the children's sake.
"That was all Angie had to hear. She made a decision right then and there to have it done!"
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