Anjelica Huston Finally Tells Her Story — She Secretly Fought a Life-Threatening Disease

Anjelica Huston is speaking out for the first time about one of the most difficult and private battles she’s ever faced — her fight against cancer. The beloved Hollywood icon, best known for her unforgettable roles in The Addams Family and The Witches, has long been celebrated for her poise, power, and unshakable presence. Now, she's revealing the truth behind the silence — and how it changed her life forever.

She kept it a secret for all these years.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 73-year-old actress shared that she was diagnosed with cancer shortly after the release of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum in 2019. Despite the shock of the diagnosis, she faced the challenge head-on, and now, she’s in the clear, reflecting on her journey with pride.

“It was a very serious moment for me,” Huston recalled, speaking from her ranch near the Sierra Nevada mountains. “I managed to survive it, and I’m proud of myself.”

She went on to say that the experience made her more mindful of how she approaches life, “It made me conscious of what I shouldn’t do, of places I shouldn’t go. One of those places was taking life too seriously. So now when the opportunity arises, I laugh, and I try not to make a big deal out of things.”

Even with the weight of her experience, Huston is far from slowing down.

After keeping her cancer battle private for 6 years, Huston decided to share her story with the hope of inspiring others. “There’s a lot to be said for talking about it and getting it out there and celebrating the fact that one’s come through,” she said. Huston’s journey serves as a reminder that life is both fragile and beautiful, and it’s the strength to keep moving forward that truly matters.

Anjelica Huston takes on the role of Lady Tressilian in the new three-part limited series Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero, which officially premiered on April 16.

Filming in the English countryside brought back nostalgic memories of her childhood in Ireland. “It was beautiful,” she shared, noting that the local women reminded her of those she grew up around — strong, horse-riding, land-working noblewomen from the west of Ireland.

Despite her impressive career and enduring talent, Huston is in no rush to retire.

Huston thoroughly enjoyed playing Lady Tressilian, especially the fact that most of her scenes were filmed from the comfort of a bed. And the good news is that she isn’t really in the mood to retire.

“I can’t imagine such a thing,” she said when asked about the possibility. “I think it would be too much, even for me.” Huston’s love for her craft and her unwavering determination to continue working are truly inspiring.

When she found out she was cancer-free 4 years ago, she celebrated quietly, walking through her garden, savoring the moment. "I just walked in my garden and smelled the roses and thought how clever I was," she recalled.

"Sometimes you feel like you don't want to talk about it for the obvious reasons, but there's a lot to be said for talking about it and getting it out there and celebrating the fact that one's come through," Anjelica says. "Life is tenuous and wonderful. It also gives you the idea that the world is big and you can somehow match up to it. That you're ready for whatever happens."

Not long ago, the cast of The Addams Family reunited — and fans couldn’t believe how much the actors have changed over the past three decades. From childhood stars to timeless icons, take a look at how the beloved cast members have transformed over more than 30 years.