Charlize Theron was born in Benoni, a town near Johannesburg, South Africa. Her upbringing on a farm exposed her to the complexities of life in apartheid-era South Africa and instilled a strong sense of independence and resilience that would shape her future.

From a young age, Charlize displayed a passion for dance, particularly ballet. She pursued her training rigorously, even attending the National School of the Arts in Johannesburg. This period honed her discipline, physical grace, and performance skills – qualities that would later prove invaluable in her acting career.