In 2013, Angelina Jolie made headlines globally when she revealed that she carried a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, giving her an estimated 87% risk of developing breast cancer and a 50% risk of ovarian cancer. Knowing her family history—having lost her mother, grandmother, and aunt to cancer—she chose to take aggressive, preventive action. She underwent a preventive double mastectomy in 2013, followed by the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes two years later, successfully lowering her risks and securing her peace of mind for the sake of her children. The lesson : Proactive health is real wealth. Waiting for things to happen when you have the warning signs and the power to choose is a risk. Be your own advocate.