I put these in here in a mixed way, because I want to get across how a woman can be unexpectedly strong.  I hope it worked!


Her old boyfriend,  Stephan Jenkins says," I don't believe in astrology, but she's a Leo and it's funny because she is sort of a Lioness."

Now she is with Stuart Townsend her boyfriend of three years.

She says, "I've always loved that duality, where you get dirty with the boys (tomboy thing) and then put on the ballgown and earrings and do the glamorous thing."

She was born in Benoni a little farming community in South Africa and raised mainly by her mother, Gerda. A strong woman who ran a road construction company.

Some details are:

Charlize's father Charles, an abusive alcoholic, forced his way into the family home one holiday season in 1991 wielding a gun. Gerta, her mother was frightened for their lives and shot him three times in self-defence. He died; she was arrested and released uncharged.

"Reading about it is painful because it comes across so nonchalant." Theron says.

Well, I won't be nonchalant about it. That is a difficult desicion to make. Obviously her mother felt very frightened for herself and daughter and determined to do something about it, or she would not have made that choice.

It takes a strength to make a desicion like that. And one with great responsibility.

And yet it is a valid, okay option when in a life or death situation!

One of the things our site addresses is self protection. That is part of the warrior woman model. To fight back when need be, not be a passive victim!

Regarding her mother and her self. It is said that they have a good, close relationship.

'They are a lot alike," says Enzo Angileri, who has been Theron's hairdresser since her modeling days pre-hollywood. "Friendly, outspoken, and tough. don't try to make anything fly over Charlize's head because she will catch it --boom-- before it gets by. That's why I love working with her. I can't deal with passive-agressive people."

Heather Graham a director who has cast Charlize says ," I might not be as experienced as some other great director, but I do know badass girls. It's a whole new game when you're a woman casting other women and you know who's what. I know who's strong."

Meagan Riley-Grant says. "Charlize is very much a whole person, very feminine, but at the same time strong and masculine. That's one of the reasons she can play anything."

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