Charlize Theron has revisited the traumatic night her mother killed her father in self-defence, stating that such experiences must be discussed to ensure others “do not feel alone,” per parade.com.
In an interview with The New York Times, the 50-year-old detailed the 1991 incident in South Africa, framed by the backdrop of a country then on the brink of civil war.
The incident occurred when Theron was 15. After returning from a cinema, she and her mother, Gerda, found themselves targeted by her father, who was intoxicated and armed. Theron recalled the atmosphere of fear, noting she had urged her mother to leave the relationship earlier that evening—a suggestion she had never previously voiced.
Events escalated when Theron’s father forced his way into the family home and fired several shots through a steel bedroom door where Theron and her mother were hiding. Although bullets penetrated the door, neither was harmed. As her father moved to retrieve more weapons, Gerda fired her own weapon in self-defence, fatally wounding him.
Theron emphasised that while the event was formative, it does not define her. She noted that living in a high-security home with steel doors in every room was a necessity due to the pervasive regional violence of the era. The actor has since used her platform to advocate for the prevention of violence against women and girls.
The interview also touched upon Theron’s career, including her upcoming action thriller Apex, which co-stars Taron Egerton.
The shooting was investigated by South African authorities at the time, who ruled that Gerda Theron had acted in self-defence. No charges were brought against her. Theron has frequently integrated her history of overcoming domestic adversity into her philanthropic work and public advocacy.
•Featured image: Charlize Theron/RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
