Brad Pitt Hails "Heroic" Angelina Jolie For Undergoing Double Mastectomy

Brad Pitt today hailed his fiancée, Angelina Jolie, as "absolutely heroic" after the Oscar-winning actress revealed that she has had a double mastectomy to reduce her high risk of breast cancer.

Pitt, 49, told London's Evening Standard newspaper: "Having witnessed this decision firsthand, I find Angie's choice, as well as so many others like her, absolutely heroic. I thank our medical team for their care and focus."

The Hollywood superstar added: "All I want is for her to have a long and healthy life, with myself and our children. This is a happy day for our family."

Jolie, 37, revealed to The New York Times in an article published on Tuesday that she had undergone the surgery after discovering that she had an 87% risk of breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer because of a "faulty" gene.

Pitt and Jolie, often known simply as "Brangelina", have been an item since they fell in love on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith in 2005.

They have three biological children and three adopted children.

The Hollywood megastar couple became engaged in April 2012, but Jolie dispelled rumours last month that they had secretly married.