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ANGELINA JOLIE'S beloved aunt – said to be the unsung hero behind the Hollywood star’s decision to have a double mastectomy – has died of breast cancer.

Debbie Martin lost her fight for life just two weeks after Angelina, 37, announced that she’d had her breasts removed in an effort to ward off the disease.

The grieving family said 61-year-old Debbie died in hospital on Sunday.

She was the sister of Angelina’s mother Marcheline Bertrand, who was killed by ovarian cancer in 2007, aged 56.

Relatives say the sisters both had the mutated BRCA1 cancer gene which US film star Angelina inherited.

The actress was very close to her aunt and the women had supported each other during the family’s years of heartache.

After announcing Debbie’s death, her husband Ron Martin said: “Angelina has been in touch throughout the week and her brother Jamie has been with us, giving his support day by day.

“They both loved Debbie very much and though Angie is not able to come right now she has sent her love and support which was very nice.”

Debbie died in the city of Escondido in California after slipping into a coma. She had collapsed at her home on Wednesday.

Sources close to the family said Debbie had been hugely supportive of Angelina’s decision to have her breasts removed.

Ron said: “We have seen Angelina a number of times since Debbie was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“Debbie and I were both very proud of her recent decision to have the double mastectomy and to do everything she can to keep her family from having to go through what we’ve been through.

“Angelina’s father Jon Voight has also been tremendously supportive.

“He came down to see Debbie last Sunday and spent the whole day, talking with her and sharing his love.

“Debbie really enjoyed seeing him and talking with him.”

Ron said Debbie had the defective BRCA1 gene but did not know until after being diagnosed with cancer in 2004.

Angelina, who has six children with fiance Brad Pitt, 49, had her operation after doctors estimated she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent chance of contracting ovarian cancer.

She said: “I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much as I could.”

Angelina added that the likelihood of her developing breast cancer had now dropped to five per cent.

The Oscar winner said she also plans to have a hysterectomy and an oophorectomy – when the ovaries are removed – to further reduce her chances of being struck down by the killer disease.