Portrait of Mariane Pearl, photographed at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on June 14, 2007.
Five years ago, extremists murdered her journalist husband Daniel in Pakistan. Now, Angelina Jolie portrays her in the new film A Mighty Heart, based on her tragic love tale. Mariane Pearl will now take your questions
How did your purpose in life change after your husband's tragic death? —Natasha Landkamar, PARIS
I think the point is that it hasn't changed. That is my main achievement. Things like that happen to you, and the people that hurt you expect it to change your purpose. Part of my "revenge" was that my purpose wouldn't change--not how I live, the work that I do or my approach to the world.
Do you think your husband's sacrifice was worth it? —Dinh Quynh Anh, VIETNAM
I don't think you can talk in terms of "worth it." His will and his choice was to become a journalist and a writer. And I think every person who dedicates his or her life to something that belongs to the greater good is very meaningful.
What is the most important thing that your son Adam should know about his father? —Sami Ith, GARDEN GROVE, CALIF.
One really important thing for me is that he has a sense of who his father was as a person--his sense of humor and the kind of friend, husband and son that he was. That is the most beautiful heritage that Adam can have.
Do you regret demanding compensation from the 9/11 fund for your husband's death? —Juana Suarez, MEXICO CITY
I was thinking of Adam. When I knew that the people who were involved in 9/11 were also involved in Danny's case, I wanted him to join a moment in history. I thought maybe it would help him to be part of a group. That is why I did it. It really wasn't about money. Any money that comes as a result of this is for my son.
Given that Daniel died in Pakistan, what do you think about President Pervez Musharraf? —Dave Smith, ATLANTA
My view about him and politics is that I just don't trust anyone. He does not have as much power as we think, and I have never thought that any [help] would come from the Pakistani government.
Has it been difficult to maintain your objectivity as a journalist? —Dale Worsham, SAN ANTONIO
No, I haven't lost my objectivity. I don't think I have become a more fearful person or even more suspicious. I just finished a series of profiles of women around the world--all with different issues--to show that in the world there are incredible individuals we should focus on. It is something that even al-Qaeda hasn't taken away from me.
Has your view of Islam changed? —Budi Primawan, JAKARTA
No, it hasn't changed at all. I grew up with Muslim people, so I was very acquainted with Islam. So it is not like the people who killed Danny taught me what Islam was about. They are hijackers of their own faith.
Do you still practice Buddhism? If so, how has it helped you? —Maike Lehmann KÖNIGSFELD, GERMANY
I have been chanting for 24 years. It has brought me a lot of strength and wisdom in the sense that even in the most dire times, I didn't get lost. I knew that if I wanted to survive, it wasn't about healing or trying to forget. It was about how I could use my life to answer what had happened to us. In many ways, it saved my life.
As a woman of color, how do you feel about being played by Angelina Jolie in the movie? —Dharma Kemp-Bresett, NASHUA, N.H.
I have heard some criticism about her casting, but it is not about the color of your skin. It is about who you are. I asked her to play the role--even though she is way more beautiful than I am--because I felt a real kinship to her. She put her whole heart into it, and I think she understood why we should do this movie. We had something to say that we knew we should say together.
Did Angelina master your French accent? :-) —Rhonda Phillips, ATLANTA
[Laughs.] She suffered. She told me she loves me, but it was a very difficult task. She told me I didn't only have a French accent but I had a Cuban accent too. We joke about it.
TIME's interview with Pearl continues on Time.com. Click to read our extra questions. Also, to read past interviews or submit questions for upcoming guests, go to time.com/10questions.