Jessica Chastain reveals ‘beautiful grandmother’ Marilyn has breast cancer: ‘I know she’ll get through this’

Jessica Chastain announced this week that her “beautiful” maternal grandmother, Marilyn Herst, is currently battling breast cancer.

“She’s a total badass**, and I know she’ll get through this,” Jessica shared in an emotional Instagram post breaking the news.

Noting that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she revealed that Marilyn asked her to encourage her fans to get their mammograms.

“You are so important to so many people – please make this a priority,” the Interstellar actress wrote, adding a heart emoji.

The 47-year-old has always been close to Marilyn and took her along as her Oscar date when she was first nominated for The Help in 2012.

“My beautiful grandmother Marilyn, who many of you have met at various events, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer,” Jessica wrote on Instagram on Friday.

‘This week I flew to meet her wonderful doctors and surgeons who are providing her with the best care possible. I am beyond grateful to the incredible hospital staff. She’s a total badass, and I know she’ll get through this.”

The A Most Violent Year actress added, “In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she asked me to remind you all: schedule your mammogram today. You are so important to so many people. Please make this a priority.”

Her post was accompanied by a video she made of Marilyn wearing her hospital gown and urging viewers to “observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

Marilyn recalled discovering she was ill after “feeling a tiny little thing in my chest.” I did mention it in my annual exam, and had my mammogram, and I am now being treated for positive breast cancer.”

She noted how “grateful” she feels “for discovering it so early because it is so treatable, but if you don’t take care of yourself and check yourself or even get your regular mammogram, you might not noticing early. and it may not help you. So I really want you to go out there and do that. Please? For me?’

Jessica previously spoke about Marilyn, which is why she first got into acting as a child and decided to pursue show business as a career.

She recalled having a “very active imagination” as a child – “and then my grandmother took me to a play. She made it clear that this was a professional theater company, that this was their job – she wanted me to know that it was a celebration.”

The 47-year-old has always been close to Marilyn and took her along as her Oscar date when she was first nominated for The Help in 2012; pictured at the Oscars

“She is a total badass**, and I know she will get through this,” Jessica shared in an emotional Instagram post breaking the news

Noting that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she revealed that Marilyn asked her to urge her fans to get their mammograms; pictured at the 2023 Tony Awards

“You are so important to so many people – please make this a priority,” the Interstellar actress wrote, adding a heart emoji

Her post was accompanied by a video she took of Marilyn wearing her hospital gown and urging viewers to “observe Breast Cancer Awareness Month.”

“My beautiful grandmother Marilyn, who many of you have met at various events, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer,” Jessica wrote on Instagram on Friday

Jessica previously spoke about Marilyn, which is why she first got into acting as a child and decided to pursue show business as a career

Jessica continued, “So then I saw a little girl on stage and I was like, okay, so this is totally my job too. This is what I’m going to do. I’m ready.’

In 2012, she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars for her role in The Help, and Marilyn was her plus-one on the red carpet.

Jessica lovingly described Oscar night with Marilyn as “one of the best days of my life.” Just watching her keep an eye on everything.”

She claimed her grandmother was “just goo-goo.” She said it was the best day of her life,” via an interview with The Guardian.