The actress on juggling her time and a hectic life.

Charlize Theron: “I like to take risks on screen”

You could be forgiven for thinking that when the good Lord divvied up his bounteous gifts, Charlize Theron ended up with more than her fair share. A talented actress, who hasn’t allowed her glamorous and sexy looks dictate the parts she takes. A powerful force in Hollywood with a raft of awards. These include an Academy Award for best actress, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild award, plus her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Theron, 45, has appeared in a wide spectrum of films, from The Cider House Rules to Monster, playing serial killer Aileen Wournos – for which she won the Oscar – and also a rebel assassin in Aeon Flux, MI6 agent in Atomic Blonde and talk-show host in sexual harassment drama Bombshell. She also wears an abundance of other hats: as producer with her own production company, as a working mother, businesswoman and as a philanthropist active in outreach work for HIV/Aids and LGBTQ+ rights. She founded the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project more than 13 years ago.

Charlize Theron wears the Breitling Chronomat Automatic 36 in gem-set stainless steel, £6,750
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“When I got to a place in my life where I could give back, I wanted to channel my time and resources into making a positive impact in my home country of South Africa,” she says. “It was and remains the country with the highest number of people living with HIV, and I grew up there during the time the HIV epidemic was getting its strong foothold, so this was always close to my heart.”

It’s a hectic life, and time management is crucial. “I’m not going to lie and say I have some magic solution for how I manage it all,” Theron admits. “But I am very lucky to have some incredible people in my life, like my mother with whom I co-parent my kids [two under the age of nine], who keep me on track. It’s a team effort, and that’s the way I operate my life.”

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Theron might appear to have it all now, but it wasn’t plain sailing growing up in South Africa. Her father Charles was an abusive alcoholic, and she’s described the agony of waking up not knowing how each day was going to pan out, as they would be determined by his drinking and moods. When she was 15 her father rampaged round the house firing his gun until her mother, Gerda, finally shot him dead in self-defence.

This traumatic episode behind her, Theron began modelling in Europe, before moving with her mother to New York to attend dance school. When an injury prevented her continuing, Gerda bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. There she grafted, attended acting classes, eventually got noticed – and has been unstoppable ever since.

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Known for playing fearless women on screen, she admits she’s far from brave in her domestic life. “I like to take risks in my professional life, but that does not mean those risks don’t scare the hell out of me,” she says. “And in terms of being a parent, it’s scary. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time, and it’s a lot of trial and error.”

The best piece of advice she’s ever been given was from her mother: “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.” And she’s followed this instruction throughout her life.

This spirit chimed with Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, when recruiting ambassadors for the luxury watch brand. “Charlize Theron is at the top of her game professionally,” he says. “She pushes boundaries as an actress and producer but also in her commitment to change and diversity.”

For her part, Theron says, she knew about Breitling. “It was a no-brainer when they approached me. The brand emulates a lot of the things I try to convey personally.” And, she adds, “I was pleased to find out that they’ve been making watches for women since the Forties.”

As part of Breitling’s “Spotlight Squad”, Theron champions the versatility of the women’s Chronomat models. “I love my Chronomat 32 in white with red gold accents. It’s a perfect mix of elegant and understated. You can wear it pretty much everywhere and don’t have to change watches to adapt to your outfit,” she says.

Theron says her forties are the best time in her life. And that time has taken on new dimensions in the past pandemic year. “It has taught me that sometimes you need to take a step back and appreciate what’s in front of you. I’ve really cherished the time I have spent with my mom and kids.”

This traumatic episode behind her, Theron began modelling in Europe, before moving with her mother to New York to attend dance school. When an injury prevented her continuing, Gerda bought her a one-way ticket to Los Angeles. There she grafted, attended acting classes, eventually got noticed – and has been unstoppable ever since.

TOM MUNRO

Known for playing fearless women on screen, she admits she’s far from brave in her domestic life. “I like to take risks in my professional life, but that does not mean those risks don’t scare the hell out of me,” she says. “And in terms of being a parent, it’s scary. I don’t know what I’m doing half the time, and it’s a lot of trial and error.”

The best piece of advice she’s ever been given was from her mother: “Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t.” And she’s followed this instruction throughout her life.

This spirit chimed with Georges Kern, CEO of Breitling, when recruiting ambassadors for the luxury watch brand. “Charlize Theron is at the top of her game professionally,” he says. “She pushes boundaries as an actress and producer but also in her commitment to change and diversity.”

Breitling Chronomat Automatic 36 in gem-set stainless steel, £6,750

For her part, Theron says, she knew about Breitling. “It was a no-brainer when they approached me. The brand emulates a lot of the things I try to convey personally.” And, she adds, “I was pleased to find out that they’ve been making watches for women since the Forties.”

As part of Breitling’s “Spotlight Squad”, Theron champions the versatility of the women’s Chronomat models. “I love my Chronomat 32 in white with red gold accents. It’s a perfect mix of elegant and understated. You can wear it pretty much everywhere and don’t have to change watches to adapt to your outfit,” she says.

Theron says her forties are the best time in her life. And that time has taken on new dimensions in the past pandemic year. “It has taught me that sometimes you need to take a step back and appreciate what’s in front of you. I’ve really cherished the time I have spent with my mom and kids.”