Charlize Theron "fought" for her lastrelationship even when she knew it was "sinking".

The actress was with Irish star Stuart Townsend for nine years before they split in 2010.

Getting over the break-up was extremely hard for the star as she and Stuart had previously been so close they had described themselves as married.

She eventually accepted things weren't working and has made peace with that.

"It was sinking but I gave it a fight to try and make it work. That was my priority. I've never re-connected with an ex and I feel that once I'm done, I'm really done," she explained to British newspaper The Daily Mirror.

"I'm really at peace and feeling good about it. All of us go through darkness but that doesn't make you dark. Every single person in my life has gone through loss, been lonely, been sad, and amazing things have happened to them. They've had the birth of children and the loss of children. I mean, this is life. Life is all of those things."

Charlize and Stuart sold their shared Malibu home this year and she now lives on her own in Los Angeles. The stunning star has been linked to men including Ryan Reynolds since the breakdown of her relationship but is now happy taking time for herself.

She doesn't understand why some people are so obsessed with having the perfect life as she believes everyone goes through struggles at some point.

"I think happiness is overrated," she stated. "I don't know a world where you can be happy all the time.

"You have to kind of go through the highs and the lows. If it's a low moment, I'm at peace with it and it will pass and then a high moment will come along."