Charlize Theron was born on November 7, 1975, in Benoni, South Africa. She was raised in a challenging environment due to her father's struggle with alcoholism. Her father, Charles Jacobus Theron, was reportedly abusive toward her mother, Gerda Jacoba Aletta. In a tragic but legally justified act of self-defense, Gerda fatally shot Charles when Charlize was 15 years old. The court ruled the incident as self-defense, and no charges were filed against her mother.
Theron initially attended Putfontein Primary School but struggled to adapt, prompting her parents to enroll her in a boarding school. She later studied at the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, where she pursued her passion for the performing arts. Although her first language is Afrikaans, she speaks English fluently and uses it primarily in her professional career.
At the age of 16, Charlize Theron won a modeling contract in Salerno, Italy. This opportunity led her and her mother to relocate to Milan. After modeling throughout Europe for a year, she moved to New York City to further her career. While in New York, she trained as a ballet dancer until a knee injury abruptly ended her aspirations in dance. This setback encouraged her to shift her focus to acting.
Theron moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting seriously. Her first film appearance came in 1995 with a non-speaking role in Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest. She gained broader recognition with her supporting role in 2 Days in the Valley (1996), which helped launch her Hollywood career. Her persistence and talent helped her transition from modest beginnings to roles in major motion pictures. Throughout this period, she also appeared on magazine covers, including Playboy and Vanity Fair, further solidifying her public image.
| Birth Date: | 7 Aug, 1975 |
| Age: | 44 yrs |
| Citizenship: | South Africa United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Benoni |
| residence: | Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | South African-American film actress and producer |
| Net Worth 2021: | 160 million |
