Charlize Theron, acclaimed actor and philanthropist, has revealed details of her tumultuous early years growing up in Benoni, South Africa, offering insight into the adversity she faced as a teenager. The story of Charlize Theron’s childhood in South Africa underscores not just her personal strength, but also her commitment to address pressing issues facing her homeland.
A Difficult and Dangerous Upbringing in Benoni
Charlize Theron grew up in the town of Benoni, South Africa, before becoming a well-known figure in international entertainment and advocacy. Despite her high-profile status today, much of her early life was defined by hardship and instability at home. She has spoken sparingly but honestly about her youth, providing rare glimpses into the events that forged her resilience and motivated her to create positive change.
At age 15, Theron endured a traumatic encounter involving her parents. In 2023, she recounted to Town & Country a night when her father, inebriated and armed, fired three shots at Charlize and her mother. None of the bullets struck them, but the threat was real and terrifying. In a moment of self-defense, Charlize’s mother returned fire and fatally shot her husband, a turning point that forever altered the course of both their lives.
Reflecting on that formative night, Theron has stated,
“But I think it’s way more complicated than having just one night of trauma in your life,”
—Charlize Theron, Actor. She emphasized that violence, especially gender-based violence, is a pervasive issue not only in South Africa but around the globe, and is something women face regularly.
“With or without that, gender-based violence is so in your face in South Africa and globally. It’s hard to not be aware of these things just purely by being a woman.”
—Charlize Theron, Actor.
Living with Instability and Addiction at Home
Theron’s discussions have not been limited to the violent event alone, as she has also opened up about the years of unpredictability due to her father’s struggles with addiction. In a 2019 interview with NPR, she shared that her father “was a very sick man” and described the lasting impact of growing up in a household affected by substance misuse. For Theron, the conversation is about more than just a single night—it’s about
“growing up with addicts and what that does to a person.”
—Charlize Theron, Actor.
These experiences, she explained during a July 2, 2025 appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, manifested in a constant uncertainty within her home. She described the daily unknowns of her father’s mood and the overall feel of life dictated by his drinking.
“Whatever they’re feeling that day or wherever they are, that’s what is going to be the vibe and the energy of the house,”
—Charlize Theron, Actor. She further reflected,
“And that inconsistency I think was what affected me way more than just that one night.”
—Charlize Theron, Actor.
Motherhood and New Chapters
Today, Charlize Theron is the mother of two adopted daughters, Jackson and August. Choosing to build a family as a single parent, Theron adopted Jackson in 2012 and later welcomed August. She even homeschooled her daughters for a time during the global COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating her dedication as a parent despite her demanding career.
Theron’s personal life has evolved in other ways as well. On the Call Her Daddy podcast, she discussed her current disinterest in dating, especially with others in the entertainment industry, emphasizing her focus on her children and her work.
Impact and Continuing Advocacy
Through her journey from a troubled upbringing in Benoni to international stardom, Charlize Theron has remained vocal about the challenges she and her mother overcame. Her work as a philanthropist includes founding the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program, an organization aimed at supporting South African youth and addressing the systemic problems she witnessed firsthand.
Her willingness to discuss her history not only brings awareness to issues like addiction and gender-based violence but may encourage others experiencing similar hardships to seek support. By connecting her past to her advocacy, Theron’s life story becomes more than personal history—it represents hope and motivation for systemic change in South Africa and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What illness did Charlize Theron have as a child?
A. As a child, she often suffered from jaundice and needed antibiotics to treat her illness. The medicine caused her top baby front teeth to decay badly, so doctors had to take them out. Her adult teeth did not come in until she was about ten years old.
Q. How did Charlize Theron get PTSD?
A. When she was 15 years old, Theron saw her mother shoot and kill her violent father to protect herself. This event was very shocking for Theron and made her feel broken inside. After it happened, she struggled with sadness, guilt, and confusion.
