Charlize Theron Credits Her Terrible Past For Her Success

Wow, I had no idea that Charlize Theron went through so much as a young girl.

When she was 15 she saw her mother, Gerda, shoot her alcoholic and abusive father, Charles, to death in self-defense.

Theron has linked the violent death of her father to her success as an acctress saying that witnessing such tragedy at a young age has inspired her to make the most of her life.

She says:

“I don’t know how to say this without sounding strange. But I feel like having this tragedy at such a young age has given me a leg up from other people. Because, man, from 16, I knew the value of life and I knew how quickly it could be taken away. And from that moment on, I made a choice to either swim or to drown, you know?

“(I have) had many painful journeys and heartbreaks since my father died, many of which I draw on for my work.”

photo: Wenn.com