The famous face of Christian Dior’s perfume, Charlize Theron started off as a model and dancer before working her way up to become one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood as well as a recognized philanthropist and social activist.
Born in South Africa in 1975, she received an education as a ballet dancer at the age of 6. Encouraged by her parents, she was sent at the age of 12 to a Johannesburg boarding school to study dance. Four years later, she won a few modeling contests which led her to travel outside of Africa and begin her modeling career.
However, she soon tired of the high fashion world and attempted to pursue her first love, dancing, inin New York, before having to put a halt to this path following severe knee injuries.
Forced to abandon her studies with the Joffrey Ballet, she decided to try her luck with acting and moved to Los Angeles. After a long struggle, an agent finally discovered her while arguing with a bank manager who refused to cash her check. Within months, she got her first acting job and her career skyrocketed in the late 1990s.
Her versatile talent has propelled her in many genres, picking up drama as easily as comedy or action. Throughout her career, the award-winning actress has appeared in numerous top-billing movies including “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “Tully,” “Young adult,” “Atomic Blonde,” “The Italian Job,” “Monster,” and “Bombshell.” She also made history by becoming the first South African-born woman to win an Oscar in an acting category.
In addition to her successful career she has also dedicated time to humanitarian projects. She is the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, which invests in African youth, and has been designated as a United Nations messenger of peace, with a focus on HIV prevention.
“I grew up during apartheid; there was never a day in South Africa that was just great. I love that I’ve had success as an actor and producer, but I know the thing my children will know most about is the work I’ve done with HIV. Success in life is all about humanity,” she said.