Charlize Theron has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years now, and her relocation from South Africa to Hollywood drastically changed her life. Fans know that the Oscar-winning actress had a tough childhood, and it was not all glitz and glamour living with an abusive father.

Charlize Theron

Indeed, Theron’s story is an inspiring tale of the sheer willpower and determination of someone courageous enough to change the course of their lives. Now, she has lived a full and contented life and even claimed that if she perishes tomorrow, she’s at peace knowing she chose her own path.

Charlize Theron Moved To New York After A Traumatic Event In South Africa

In an interview with Marie Claire, Atomic Blonde star Charlize Theron took a trip down memory lane and recalled the bitterness of her childhood. She noted how her experiences in South Africa forced her to move to the US:

“My early life, I was just speeding through, because I saw a lot of life taken away around me. My 20s were like, ‘You can die, so get it done.’ I always felt like there was a clock ticking, like everything was life and death, and I’m not a citizen, so if I don’t make it…”

When Theron was 15, her mother Gerda Jacoba Aletta Maritz shot her abusive and alcoholic father after he threatened both of their lives with a gun. Because of this event, her mother encouraged her to move to New York when she turned 16. She took ballet class, but unfortunately, she suffered a knee injury that forced her to switch to acting.

The actress really got the job done and became a household name in Hollywood. She starred in numerous movies throughout the years, but her career-defining moment was winning an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 film Monster.

Charlize Theron in Monster

The events in her past still haunted Theron, revealing that going to therapy changed her perspective in life:

“I didn’t discover therapy until my mid-30s. My reasons for going had a lot to do with South Africa and uncertainty and living with an alcoholic every day in my life. What I discovered was that my life was an all-encompassing thing. It showed me that I can see the big picture and understand the reason to get to a place where I could create a life for my own kid.”

It was determination fortified by her traumatic experiences that guided Theron in her decisions. Her leaving South Africa to lead a better life and striving to “get it done” gave her a new chance of living free from danger and creating a safe environment for her kids.

Charlize Theron Is Happy And Thriving With Her Present Life

Charlize Theron

Theron’s mother usually steps in for the kids whenever the actress gets busy with her schedule. The Snow White & The Huntsman star remained single after her split with Sean Penn in 2015, but she is happily contented with her family life. She reflected:

“My 20s were really about getting a lot of stuff out of my system—wanting to experience the world, do drugs, travel to Turkey for four months with a backpack, and I did all that, so by the time I had kids, I was really ready.”

The 48-year-old actress mused that she finally found peace in her life and has no regrets over the things that happened in the past knowing she carved her own pathway:

“I’m in bed at 7:45 every night now, and I love it because I’ve lived. You don’t want to be 80, and on your deathbed and wonder what might have happened. If I die tomorrow, I’m at peace with who I am in my life.”
There’s nothing more inspiring than Charlize Theron’s fight for her and her mother’s life. The transition might have been scary, but it was all worth it in the end.