A Harrowing Moment in Charlize Theron’s Life
Charlize Theron, now 50, has shared a deeply personal story about the moment her mother shot her father in self-defence. This incident occurred in 1991 when she was just 15 years old. Her father, Charles Theron, had attempted to shoot both her and her mother, leading her mother, Gerda Theron, to take action.
In an emotional interview with the New York Times, Charlize spoke about how her father was a “full-blown functioning drunk” who often engaged in heated arguments with her mother. She emphasized the importance of discussing such experiences, as it helps others feel less alone.
“I think these things should be talked about because it makes other people not feel alone,” she said. While she has never encountered another story quite like hers, she is no longer haunted by the past.
The incident took place when Charlize and her mother visited her uncle’s home. She upset her father by not greeting people in the house before going to the bathroom. Her father interpreted this as rude behavior and became extremely angry.
“In South Africa, there’s a lot of respect for elders, and he was in a state where he just spiralled. Like: ‘Why didn’t you stop? Who do you think you are?'” she recalled.
Charlize knew her father was angry and asked her mother to help de-escalate the situation when he returned home. She went to her room, turned off the lights, and was scared. She could tell the level of anger by the way he drove in.
She felt something bad was going to happen.
Her father broke into the house, shooting through doors to get in. He made it clear he intended to kill them. Gerda ran to the safe to retrieve her gun and returned to Charlize’s bedroom, where they both held the door with their bodies because there wasn’t a lock.
“He just stepped back and started shooting through the door,” she continued. “The messaging was very clear: ‘I’m going to kill you tonight. You think I can’t come into this door? Watch me. I’m going to go to the safe. I’m going to get the shotgun.'”
Charlize recalled that her father and uncle were both shot. “He walked to the safe, and my mom pulled the door open while the brother was still standing there,” Theron said. “The brother ran down the hallway, and she shot one bullet down the hallway that ricocheted seven times and shot him in the hand. It’s stuff you can’t explain. And then she followed my father, who was by then opening the safe to get more weapons out, and she shot him.”
After the incident, Charlize noted that her mother simply moved on. The next day, she was sent to school, and the attitude was “we’re going to move on.” While she admits this isn’t necessarily healthy, it worked for her.
Gerda faced no charges as the shooting was ruled as self-defence.
Charlize has spoken about the trauma of her father’s death in the past. She has also been vocal about gender-based violence. “Gender-based violence is so in your face in South Africa and globally,” she told Town & Country magazine in 2023. “It’s hard to not be aware of these things just purely by being a woman.”
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
