Archive · 22 Jul 2026
Charlize Theron Recalls Father's Shooting by Mother
Charlize Theron recently shared a personal and traumatic story about her childhood.
When she was 15 years old, her mother shot and killed her father in their home in South Africa.
Theron described how her father had taken the keys to their house and later forced his way in, armed and angry.
Her mother, fearing for their lives, retrieved a gun and shot her father when he tried to get more weapons.
The authorities ruled it as self-defense, and no charges were filed.
Theron is currently starring in the movie 'The Odyssey'.
Charlize Theron's mother shot and killed her father in self-defense during a violent confrontation in 1991 in South Africa.
Theron was 15 years old at the time of the incident.
Her father allegedly forced his way into their home armed and intent on harm.
Theron's mother retrieved a gun and shot her father when he tried to get more weapons.
Authorities ruled the shooting as self-defense, and no charges were filed.
- Who
- Charlize Theron, her mother Gerda Maritz, and her father
- What
- Charlize Theron's mother shot and killed her father in self-defense during a violent confrontation.
- When
- 1991
- Where
- South Africa
- Why
- Theron's father allegedly forced his way into the house armed and intent on harm, leading to the shooting.
Self-Defense
Violent Confrontation
Nature of the Incident
Self-Defense
Charlize Theron's mother acted in self-defense to protect herself and her daughter from her abusive father.
Violent Confrontation
The incident was a violent confrontation where Theron's father allegedly forced his way into the house armed and intent on harm.
- Date of Incident
- 1991
- Location
- South Africa
- Charlize Theron's Age
- 15 years old
- Legal Outcome
- No charges filed; ruled as self-defense
- Current Project
- The Odyssey