Her surname is pronounced differently in South Africa than it is in the U.S.A. In South Africa, it is pronounced “Thrown” and “Ther-on” in the U.S.A.
In her early teens she started modeling. She admitted to not really liking it in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
The legal ruling was that Gerda Theron killed her husband, Charles, in self-defense. Charlize’s mother was not charged with a crime.
Charlize spoke Afrikaans as her first language. She normally speaks in her native tongue, Afrikaans, to her mother, Gerda.
Charlize learned to speak English by watching American TV shows, especially soap operas.
Charlize won Best Actress in 2004 for role portraying serial killer Aileen Wuornos in the film “Monster.” She also won the Screen Actors Guild Award and The Golden Globe for the role.
Charlize was in Playboy magazine in the May 1999 issue. The pictures were reportedly taken long before she became famous.
She was also named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People in 2000. Since coming to public attention, she has made most if not all “most beautiful people” lists.
She stopped smoking after deciding to use hypnosis to help her quit the habit. She kicked her three-pack-a-day habit in 2006.
She now holds dual citizenship in South Africa and the U.S..
