LOS ANGELES, Aug 6 (AGCNewsNet) – Oscar-winning actress and philanthropist Charlize Theron marked her 50th birthday on Thursday with gratitude and reflection, saying she "couldn’t be any happier" as she embraces her age and legacy.

Born in South Africa, Theron began her career as a model before transitioning into dance. An injury eventually shifted her path to acting, leading to a breakout role in the 2003 biographical crime drama Monster, for which she became the first African to win an acting Academy Award. The film also marked her debut as a film producer.

She went on to earn further Oscar nominations in 2006 for North Country and in 2020 for Bombshell.

Despite holding dual citizenship with the United States, Theron has remained deeply connected to her South African roots. She has spoken often about being inspired by the late Nelson Mandela, whom she met multiple times. In a light-hearted moment, she once joked with Mandela that he could be rumored as her next romantic partner, alongside names like George Clooney.

Theron is the founder of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, a nonprofit focused on youth empowerment in Southern Africa through health, education, and safety initiatives. In 2008, she was appointed a United Nations Messenger of Peace for her work on HIV prevention and combating violence against women.

“I prefer my face today than in my twenties,” she told reporters, dismissing rumors about undergoing plastic surgery. She criticized the entertainment industry’s double standards for aging women, emphasizing that beauty and relevance do not fade with time.

Theron, who has adopted two children, is widely regarded as one of the world’s highest-paid actors. Her latest film appearance is in The Old Guard 2, currently streaming on Netflix.

The actor joined fans, celebrities, and advocates at the fifth annual Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project Block Party held on June 28 at Universal Studios in Los Angeles, an event that highlighted her ongoing commitment to community and social change.

Stay connected with AGC NewsNet for the latest news from Africa.