Charlize Theron

Theron in 2003, Denis Makarenko/Shutterstock.com

Place of Birth: Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa

Date of Birth: August 7, 1975

Ethnicity: Afrikaner [Dutch, French Huguenot, German, smaller amounts of Belgian Flemish/Belgian Walloon, distant Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish], distant English, as well as possibly 1/1024 Khoisan

Charlize Theron is a South African-born actress, model, and producer. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Monster (2003).

Charlize is the daughter of Gerda (Maritz) and Charles Theron. Danie Theron, a Boer War military leader, was her great-great-uncle. Charlize is from an Afrikaner family. Her family has lived in South Africa since the 1600s on many, if not most, of her family lines. Her Afrikaner ancestry includes Dutch, as well as French Huguenot and German, with smaller and/or more remote amounts of Belgian Flemish/Belgian Walloon, Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish. She also has distant English ancestry. Charlize is also of possibly 1/1024 Khoisan descent.

Charlize moved to Los Angeles to work in the entertainment industry in the mid 1990s. She became a U.S. citizen in 2007. She has two children, who are adopted, from South Africa and the U.S., respectively.

Charlize speaks Afrikaans, Xhosa (a native African language), as well as English. Her surname, Theron, is an Occitan name which is pronounced Tronn. Occitan is a language spoken in Occitania, located in the Occitan Valleys of Italy, Southern France, Monaco, and the Aran Valley of Spain.

Charlize’s patrilineal line can be traced to Jacques Therond, who was born, c. 1668, in Nîmes, Languedoc, France, and emigrated to South Africa in 1688, and to his wife Marie-Jeanne des Prez/du Preez, who was born in Béthune, Artois, France.

Charlize’s paternal grandfather was Danie/Daniel Theron (the son of Charles Jacobus Theron and Wilhelmina Maria Stofberg). Charlize’s grandfather Danie was born in Pofadder, Kenhardt, Cape Province. Charlie’s great-grandfather Charles was born in Tulbagh, Cape Province, the son of Willem Wouter Theron and Anna Helena Margaretha Krige. Wilhelmina was born in Calvinia, Cape Province, the daughter of Andries Benjamin Stofberg and Mary Louisa Buck.

Charlize’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Johanna “Betty”/Bettie Beets (the daughter of Hendrik Lucas/Lukas Beets and Wilhelmina Johanna Aletta/Christina Joone/Jooni Jones). Elizabeth was born in Vioolsdrif, Northern Cape. Hendrik was the son of Daniël Godlieb Beets and Hendrina Johanna Janse Van Vuuren. Wilhelmina was the daughter of Jan/John Joone/Jooni and Magrieta/Margriet Aletta Mostert/Mosterd.

Charlize’s maternal grandfather was Jacob Johannes Maritz (the son of Phillipus/Philippus Rudolf Maritz and Gerda/Gerta Jacoba Aletta Kruger). Jacob was born in Prieska, Cape Province. His family also lived in Tsumeb, Oshikoto, Namibia. Phillipus was the son of Jacob Johannes Maritz and Huibrecht/Huilbrecht Johanna Holtzhausen. Gerta was the daughter of Gerrit Diederik Kruger and Susanna Christina Botes.

Charlize’s maternal grandmother was Johanna Maria Barindina/Barendina Stofberg (the daughter of Dirk Johannes/Jacobus van Dyk Stofberg/Stoffberg and Johanna Susanna Elizabeth/Elisabeth Kruger). Charlize’s grandmother Johanna was born in Memel, Vrede, Orange Free State, South Africa. Dirk was born in Middelburg, Cape Province, the son of Dirk Frederik Stoffberg and Stoffelina Jacoba Botha. Charlize’s great-grandmother Johanna was born in Bloemfontein, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, the daughter of Barend Johannes Marthinus Kruger and Frederika Elizabeth Bezuidenhout.

Charlize is a fourth cousin, once removed, of actress Alice Krige. Charlize’s paternal fourth great-grandparents, Willem Adolph Krige and Elisabeth/Elizabeth Petronella de Villiers, were also Alice’s third great-grandparents.

Sources: Genealogy of Charlize Theron – http://www.geni.com

Death record of Charlize’s father – https://www.findagrave.com