Charlize Theron, with net worth of $110M, commits $1M to fight COVID-19 and domestic violence during lockdown
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many celebrities have stepped up in helping fund relief organizations and among them is Charlize Theron who has committed $1M to the novel coronavirus' relief efforts with half of it being geared fighting gender-based violence that has resulted from the outbreak.
On Wednesday, Theron's foundation 'The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project' had revealed that of that $1M, $500,000 would go to "domestic violence shelters and community-based programs fighting gender-based violence" under the 'Together For Her' initiative. As women along with children are forced to be on lockdown at home, domestic abuse towards them poses to them a greater danger as they are unable to leave their abuses and have little to no escape. Theron's foundation also said she will be supporting the efforts of the US and South Africa, her home country. It was also reported that "additional funds will be designated both domestically and internationally through two partner organizations, CARE and the Entertainment Industry Foundation."
The statement read, "As the global spread of COVID-19 has forced people indoors, life has become even more dangerous for women experiencing domestic violence, especially for those who are most marginalized and are at increased risk of experiencing violence." The statement further revealed that donations to the initiative 'Together For Her' will aid "shelters, support and counseling, helplines, crisis intervention, health services, legal services, and other forms of support for women and children experiencing domestic violence."
"Charlize and these three organizations are calling upon other influential women and organizations to join this critical cause to provide safe spaces and lifesaving programs for women in need," the statement continued.
Theron, a mother of two, is a South African and American actress and film producer. She is widely known for her roles in films such as 'The Devil’s Advocate,' 'Mighty Joe Young, and 'Monster' and has been the recipient of an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and the Silver Bear for Best Actress. The actress also has high-paid endorsement from big name brands such as Dior and has wears an executive producer hat for 'Hatfields & McCoys' pilot for NBC. She was number 9 on Forbes 'Highest-Paid Actresses' in 2019! Charlize Theron’s net worth is estimated to be $110 Million dollars and her decision to help aid people in need comes from more than just an altruistic nature.
There is a personal meaning to her efforts in helping domestic abuse victims as Theron has had experienced it herself. She told NPR last year, "My father was so drunk that he shouldn’t have been able to walk when he came into the house with a gun," Charlize said. "My mom and I were in my bedroom leaning against the door because he was trying to push through the door. So both of us were leaning against the door from the inside to have him not be able to push through. He took a step back and just shot through the door three times. None of the bullets ever hit us, which is just a miracle." Her mother Gerda shot her husband in self-defense and fairly faced no charges.