Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has spoken candidly for the first time in a long while about a family tragedy that occurred during her teenage years and left a lasting impact on her life. In an interview with The New York Times, she recalled events from 1991 in South Africa.

When Charlize was 15, her father, who struggled with alcoholism and had repeatedly displayed aggressive behavior, returned home heavily intoxicated and began threatening the family. According to the actress, he attempted to force his way into the house and fired shots through the door, declaring his intention to kill both his wife and daughter. At that moment, Charlize and her mother were hiding in a bedroom.

In the critical situation, her mother, Gerda Theron, took a firearm and opened fire in order to protect herself and her child. The police later ruled the incident to be self-defense, and no charges were filed.

The actress admitted that for a long time she was unable to speak about the event and even fabricated an alternative version – that her father had died in a car accident. She explained this as stemming from shame and a desire to avoid sympathy. Theron also noted that living in an atmosphere of constant fear forced her to grow up far too quickly.

After the tragedy, her mother tried to preserve a sense of normality for her daughter: Charlize was sent to school the very next day, and later supported in her decision to leave the country. At 16, she moved to Europe, where she began a modeling career that eventually led her to Hollywood.

Theron emphasized that her story is only one of many similar ones and stressed the importance of speaking about domestic violence so that those who have experienced similar situations are not left alone with their trauma.

Photo: Instagram @charlizeafrica

Hollywood actress Charlize Theron has shared her personal approach to staying in shape, proving that even with an intense schedule, it’s possible to maintain peak physical condition. The star balances filming, producing, and running her charitable foundation — yet still makes time for regular workouts.

In a recent interview, the actress admitted that an active lifestyle has always been part of who she is: «I’ve been lucky — I’ve never been a homebody.» This mindset has become the foundation of her approach to fitness.

Theron’s routine includes Pilates, power yoga, stationary cycling, and active leisure activities such as tennis. She works out three to four times a week and emphasizes that the key is finding a form of physical activity you genuinely enjoy. «If you do what you love, exercise stops feeling like a chore,» she has noted.

The actress pays particular attention to Pilates, which she says has significantly transformed her body. At the same time, she highlights the importance of being honest with oneself and maintaining a balance between effort and rest.

Theron also admits that discipline plays a crucial role. After just a few days without training, returning to the gym becomes much more challenging — another reason to stay consistent.

As for her diet, the actress favors raw, plant-based foods, occasionally incorporating meat. She avoids alcohol and focuses on protein-rich options, including vegetables, greens, and fruits.

With the premiere of the film «The Old Guard 2» starring Uma Thurman and Charlize Theron, interest in the actresses has significantly increased. It’s no surprise that The New York Times invited them to be the stars of its summer issue.

The Hollywood icons took part in a photoshoot and shared behind-the-scenes details from the filming process.

In the Netflix film «The Old Guard 2», Theron and Thurman portray immortal warriors. According to the plot, the main character Andy (Charlize Theron) tries to live a normal life after losing her immortality. But when the world is threatened by the first of the immortals, she is forced to return to the fight with her team.

This large-scale action movie marks Theron’s return to the franchise five years after the release of the first film, and for Thurman, it’s a high-profile comeback to the action genre after a 21-year break since the film «Kill Bill: Volume 2».

Here are the main highlights from their interview:

Why did you agree to join the sequel?

Charlize Theron:

«The story wasn’t finished. I wanted to explore the character more deeply – not just as a warrior, but as a woman with pain and doubts».

Uma Thurman:

«I was drawn to the unconventional tone. My character was allowed to be complex – that’s rare for women in film, especially after 40».

What was it like filming the stunts?

Charlize Theron:

«The cliff scene – I was really hanging at a great height. It was terrifying, but it adds authenticity. Fear makes everything feel alive».

What is the film really about?

Uma Thurman:

«About how hard it is to stay human, even when you’re immortal».

Charlize Theron:

«And about time – how it changes us and takes away what once seemed important».

Will there be a third installment?

Charlize Theron:

«It’s possible. It all depends on the audience. If there’s interest – we’re ready».

Uma Thurman:

«We have ideas, but the sequel has to be meaningful, not just a repeat».

Photo: The New York Times

Recently, the fifth annual Block Party in support of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project took place at Universal Studios in Los Angeles.

At the charity event, Charlize Theron delivered a speech in which she referenced the headline-making event of the past weekend – the lavish $50 million wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez.

«It seems like we’re the only ones who didn’t get invited to the Bezos wedding». The audience laughed, and Theron added: «Well, good. Because they suck, and we’re cool», The Hollywood Reporter quotes the actress.

Perhaps the star made the comment as a joke, but many perceived her words as clear criticism of the excessive flamboyance in displaying wealth.

The Oscar-winner then continued her speech in a more serious tone.

«Thank you for being here. Especially now, when the world is literally on fire – and that’s not an exaggeration», she said.

According to Theron, humanity is not moving forward, but backward:

«Immigration policies are destroying the lives of ordinary people, not criminals. Women’s rights are becoming weaker, LGBTQ rights are being erased, and gender-based violence is on the rise».

For the Block Party, the 49-year-old star wore a black dress with an asymmetrical shoulder cutout, complemented by a leather biker jacket and matching sandals.

It’s worth noting that not only Charlize Theron, but other global activists also took issue with Bezos’s wedding. Residents of Venice recently protested the grand event.

Photo: Instagram @charlizeafrica

It was recently revealed that Charlize Theron has split from her boyfriend, Alex Dimitrijevic. And it seems she has found a way to move on after the breakup: her profile was recently spotted on the celebrity dating app Raya.

According to The Sun, Charlize created a profile featuring several of her photos. The outlet reports that, although she hides her real name and uses just «C», she has linked her account to her official Instagram, which boasts 7.7 million followers.

Charlize is not the first celebrity to turn to a dating app. Other famous Raya users reportedly include Channing Tatum, Cara Delevingne, Harry Styles, and Sharon Stone.

Theron was previously in a two-year relationship with Sean Penn, which ended in 2015. She has also been romantically linked to actor Craig Bierko, Stephen Jenkins of «Third Eye Blind», actor Stuart Townsend, and model Gabriel Aubry. Since May 2023, the Hollywood star had been dating Alex Dimitrijevic, who formerly worked as a model for brands like Malbon Golf, AG Green Label, The Elder Statesman, and Combo Boxing.

Despite her various romances, Charlize has never been officially married. However, she is the proud mother of two adopted daughters: 12-year-old Jackson and 9-year-old August.