Hollywood actress Charlize Therons aunt, Elsa Malan, in a new book, has spoken against the actresss claims that her mother had killed her father out of self defense.
New York, Jan 7 : Hollywood actress Charlize Theron's aunt, Elsa Malan, in a new book, has spoken against the actress's claims that her mother had killed her father out of self defense.
In South African writer Chris Karsten's new book, 'Killer Women: Fatal South African Females', Malan has raised doubt on the actress's claim that her mother, Gerda, was a victim of domestic abuse.
The Monster star recently spoke about this horrific event in her childhood and revealed that her mother killed her father to save herself.
The Academy award wining-actress was only 15 at the time of the traumatic event, and had told the police that her mother feared that her father would kill them both.
"My father said he would kill us with his shotgun. My mom said she was afraid that he really would kill us," the New York Post quoted her, as saying.
However, in the upcoming book, Charlize's aunt ruled out whatever the actress and her mother narrated of the incident.
Elsa Malan said her "mildmannered" brother Charles "could never lift his hand in anger to anyone," while Charlize's mother, Gerda, "could be testy and grumpy and never hesitated to speak her mind."
"We want to set the record straight. All those perceptions that Charles was some kind of a monster-at home were very hurtful to our family and everyone who knew him. He was a dedicated family man. His wife and daughter were the most important things in his life," she said in the book.
She added: "Their marriage had been rocky for years. I remember asking Gerda at church, shortly before the shooting, why she hadn't opted for a divorce rather than live in an unhappy marriage. She said she couldn't do it for Charlize's sake."
Charlize's aunt said that though the family was upset of Gerda walking free after the murder, they didn't say anything because they were concerned about Charlize.
"Gerda killed my eldest brother and wounded another brother, and she walked free. We would have liked some kind of justice, but we were very worried about Charlize."
Elsa's mother, Charlize's estranged grandmother Bettie also gave her statement in the book.
"My son was never, as far as I know, violent towards her. She, on the other hand, was very violent towards him," she said.
However, the old lady still wants to get re-united with her granddaughter.
"I dream that we will be together again after all these years. She is still my little girl. It doesn't matter to me whether she is famous or completely unknown. She is my last link with Charles," she added.
ANI