The Reason Charlize Theron Never Wants A Husband

The 92nd Academy Awards will be a big night for many in Hollywood, including Charlize Theron. She's nominated for Best Actress at the 2020 ceremony for her role as Fox News' Megyn Kelly in Bombshell. The actress dropped a bombshell of her own in October 2019 when she revealed she has no desire to get married. Of course, that's entirely her own prerogative — and more power to her for not needing a legal ceremony to feel complete. But because of the pressure on female celebrities — and heck, even non-famous people — to settle down, it feels like a bit of a revolutionary statement, which is something she's even acknowledged. 

Theron told Glamour when she was named one of their 2019 Women of the Year, "I haven't been in a relationship for a very long time. I never wanted to get married." The 44-year-old continued, "Those are things that are not hard for me, because they're innately my truth. I find people are somewhat perplexed by that, and also more with women, right?" Amen. But even if she doesn't want to get married, is she dating anyone? What relationships has she been in in the past? Let's jump in and find out.

That Glamour interview actually isn't the first time Charlize Theron spilled her thoughts on marriage. She told Vogue in 2014, "I mean, I really do understand the importance and what that ceremony represents to so many people, but it's just such a personal thing. Let's put it this way: I never had the dream of the white dress. And watching other people getting married? I think it's beautiful for them, but to be quite honest, usually I'm sitting there just devastated." Expanding on that last part, she explained that while it's supposed to be a "night of celebrating love," "It just looks like a lot of work. And as you get older, you start sifting through the stuff that really matters." 

And no, she doesn't think her view is the direct result of her own parents' bad marriage. She explained to Vogue, "I have had a good amount of healthy therapy about [my parents' marriage], and it really isn't about that. Because I think that would kind of showcase itself more in a fear of long-term relationships, which I don't have at all. I want the long-term relationship. And I don't really know how to invest in the other thing." Honestly, that makes perfect sense.

Speaking of Charlize Theron's love life, there were rumors Sean Penn proposed back in July 2014, but People reported that the bling Theron was sporting was simply a gift. The pair ultimately split in 2015 after 18 months. In addition to engagement rumors, Theron faced speculation that she "ghosted" Penn, but she later told the Wall Street Journal Magazine (via E! News), "We were in a relationship and then it didn't work anymore. And we both decided to separate. That's it."

Other celebrities Theron has been linked to include actor Craig Bierko in the mid-'90s, per PureWow. She also dated Stephan Jenkins from Third Eye Blind from 1998 until 2001, and her Trapped co-star Stuart Townsend from 2001 until 2010. While she didn't get engaged to Townsend either, he gave Theron a ring, which she described as "a sign of our commitment to each other. I never take it off," according to Daily Mail.

More recently, Theron sparked dating rumors with Brad Pitt, which she clarified were not true on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2019, teasing, "I had an entire relationship that I didn't even know about." Per Entertainment Tonight, Theron admitted in April 2019 on The Howard Stern Show, "I am dating, yes. No, I'm not in love. Why is that crazy?" And earlier that month, she told ET, "I've been single for 10 years... Somebody just needs to grow a pair and step up. I'm shockingly available." Well, that clears things up.

Charlize Theron isn't the only star to voice her disinterest in getting married. Shakira recently admitted that, despite being with boyfriend Gerard Piqué for years and having two children together, marriage "scares the sh*** out of [her]." Annie Hall actress Diane Keaton also made headlines for not wanting to get married — and even going as far as not dating for 35 years. According to The Cut, she said in 2001, "I don't think that because I'm not married it's made my life any less. That old-maid myth is garbage." Per USA Today, Oprah Winfrey opened up to People about never marrying long-term partner Stedman Graham, too. "Both he and I now say, 'If we had married, we would not be together.'"

At the end of the day, Theron doesn't define success by her relationship status — or how many dollars she rakes in. When discussing how she definies success, she told Glamour with a laugh in 2019, "Well, it definitely doesn't mean box office . If you're going to do [a project], let it be on something that actually means something to you." 

Essentially, Theron wants to live a life that she personally feels good about, rather than defining herself by others' expectations or opinions. And there's 100% nothing wrong with that.