The 30-year-old 'Les Miserables' star and her husband Adam Shulman were at the Victory Fund Champagne Brunch in Beverly Hills, to salute cancer specialist Dr Beth Karlan, reported E! online.
However, when Hathaway tried to make a speech at the event, she got emotional and began to shed tears.
"On a personal note, Dr Karlan helped a beloved friend of mine battle cancer recently and I couldn't be more grateful to her," Hathaway said.
"Thank you Dr Karlen, you were better, you were more than just my friend's doctor, you were her friend and ally," she added.