The star, who is considered one of the top actresses in Hollywood, opened up for the first time about the tragedy that made her leave home and head to Milan to become a model.

"Everything changed for me the day my father died. Years ago I used to cover it all up and say he died in a car accident.

"I have now come to terms with it and have been able to move on. This was so long ago in my life and my life, my emotions and the pain are not stuck in this one event," reported ‘Daily Mail’.

Theron's mother shot her alcoholic and abusive husband after he fired bullets at the then 15-year-old actress, which was later ruled out to be a self-defence act.

Talking about her mother, the 33-year-old actress said, "My mother inspired me. When you think of that quintessential woman you want to be one day, she's that for me."

The actress, who won an Oscar for her role as the lesbian serial killer Aileen Wuornos in ‘Monster’, considers herself lucky to be in a profession which sometimes makes her reflect and draw inspiration from her own tragic life.

In her latest film ‘The Burning Plain’, the actress stars as Sylvia, a woman hiding from her past. The role required an actress who could convey a deep, inner trauma.

"The theme of the film is forgiveness, redemption, guilt and self-love. It deals with realising who we are through death. I am lucky to be in a job where I get to explore things that might resemble my own life or issues. And there's something cathartic about playing a damaged person.