Jane Fonda 'not afraid of dying,' talks to Oprah about past cancer

Jane Fonda recently opened up to Oprah about her past struggle with cancer.

The 75-year-old actress, writer and political activist talked to the talk show host about her recent battle with breast cancer, calling ! this new phase in her life -- which she is thoroughly enjoying -- her "third act."

"I think it's wonderful," Fonda told Oprah for her show, "Oprah's Next Chapter." "The fact that I made it and I'm all in one piece. You know a couple years ago I got breast cancer, and that was a good test, because I always said, I'm not afraid of dying -- and I wasn't."

"I mean, I felt, God, I've just joined a family of millions of women who have gone through this," she continued. "And how interesting. What a journey this is going to be. And, you know, maybe I'll make it and maybe I won't. I didn't get scared. I hope I don't die. But I'm not scared of dying."

In November 2010, she discovered she had breast cancer and underwent a procedure to remove the tumor, which turned out to be non-invasive. Following the surgery, she announced in August 2011 that she was cancer free.

(See photos of celebrities who have battled breast cancer.).

Fonda, who rose to fame a sex symbol due to to her role in the 1968 film "Barbarella" and her numerous exercise videos, went on to explain what she focuses on at this point in her life.

"Being an actress again is what really interests me, and being fully present in my relationship," she explained. "I'm old, and I feel really young."

Jane Fonda talks about sex and her "kind" lover

"I've learned that (sex) can remain wonderful even as you get to be my age, and I'm 75," Fonda explained. "In fact, it can get better. ! For a wom! an especially - I mean, we're lucky, we women as we get older, because we dont have to worry about the ups and downs of things," she laughed.

"We know our body's better, and we're less afraid to ask for what we want," she continued. "We learn what's important. I really learned that what's really important for me is skin, and kindness. And I never realized how important kindness was. You know, my lover is really kind, there is no hidden agenda."

Fonda has been dating music producer Richard Perry since 2009. The actress has previously been married to actors Ted Turner, Roger Vadim and Tom Hayden.

Jane Fonda talks about "miracle" daughter

The talked about her African-American daughter, Mary Williams, who she rescued from a poverty-stricken home when she was only 14 years old.

"My life ... has been very unorthodox," Fonda explained in the interview. "So, to me, it's perfectly normal to have a black daughter. From the time I was relatively young, difference has been comfortable for me."

"I'm so unbelievably proud of her -- but I've been proud of her for a long time, and it doesn't surprise me that she's written this book, because I read other things that she's written, and you know, she's like, a miracle to me. I've learned so much from her."

Fonda is referencing Williams' new book, "The Lost Daughter," which can be purchased on Amazon.

Oprah went on to question whether Fonda was hiding her daughter all these years, to which Williams responded that she was actually the one who shied away from media attention.

"There was a time whenever we would go to a black-tie event, I would never want to do the red carpet," Williams explained. "I kind of shied away from those moments."

Fonda is known for a number of films, including "Klute" and "Co! ming Home! ," which both earned her the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role. More recently, Fonda has starred in "Georgia Rule" and "Peace, Love, & Misunderstanding."

The actress is next set to appear in a drama film, "The Butler," alongside a slew of stars including John Cusack, Robin Williams, James Marsden, Alex Pettyfer, Oprah, Melissa Leo, Alan Rickman, Minka Kelly, Forest Whitaker, Terrence Howard, and Cuba Gooding Jr.

In September, Oprah debuted photos of the cast including Fonda dressed as First Lady Nancy Reagan (See photos). The film is set to hit theaters Oct. 18.

Fonda currently stars on Aaron Sorkin's new HBO series, "The Newsroom," alongside Jeff Daniels, Emily Mortimer, Allison Pill, Olivia Munn and John Gallagher Jr.

Watch Fonda's interview for "Oprah's Next Chapter" below.

(Copyright 2013 OnTheRedCarpet.com. All Rights Reserved.)