Halle Berry Accused by Ex-Husband of Choking Son, Actor Denies Allegations

Actress Halle Berry is embroiled in a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband, Olivier Martinez, who has accused the Oscar winner of physically abusing their 13-year-old son, Maceo. Martinez is seeking sole legal custody and a domestic violence restraining order against Berry, according to court documents.

Martinez alleges that Berry choked Maceo during an altercation at her Los Angeles home on September 26, calling her son "an idiot" for playing a virtual reality game. He also claims there have been multiple instances of abuse over the past year and a half. Berry and her legal team have vehemently denied these allegations, labeling them as "meritless and deliberately misleading."

A source close to Berry, who has known her for years, described the actress as having "intense mood swings," stating that she can be "the loveliest human being" one moment and fly into a "rage" the next. This source suggested that "dysregulation to her moods" has been witnessed by many people in her life. However, the source also cautioned that this does not confirm the accusations against her and noted that Martinez "has his own issues."

Berry's past legal troubles include a 2000 hit-and-run incident where she pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge for leaving the scene of an accident. The other driver, Hetal Raythatha, sued Berry for negligence, and the case was settled out of court.

In a sworn declaration filed with the court, Berry's daughter, Nahla, who is now 18, stated she has never witnessed her mother physically abuse Maceo. Nahla described Berry as a "loving and devoted parent" and expressed shock at the allegations, saying she has never seen her mother engage in conduct resembling the accusations.

Martinez currently holds temporary sole custody of Maceo. A judge has ruled that the teenager can testify in the ongoing court proceedings. In a response filed on Wednesday, Berry alleged that Martinez is responsible for their son's recent behavioral issues at school. She is seeking sole legal custody and primary decision-making authority over Maceo's education, medical care, and mental health if she and Martinez cannot agree on these matters within 72 hours.

Berry has been married three times, including to Martinez from 2013 to 2023. Her previous relationships and custody disputes, including those with Gabriel Aubry, the father of her daughter Nahla, have been publicly scrutinized. The divorce from Martinez was finalized in August 2023 after eight years, with Berry ordered to pay monthly child support and cover Maceo's expenses.

Despite the ongoing legal battles, Berry remains active in her career. She is reportedly working on film projects and has launched a wellness platform focused on women's health. She recently celebrated her 60th birthday and put her Hollywood Hills home, the site of a past altercation between Martinez and Aubry, on the market for nearly $12 million.