Mila Kunis, the acclaimed Hollywood actress known for her roles in productions like "That '70s Show," "Family Guy," and "Ted," recently shared poignant details about her challenging childhood.
Born in Chernivtsi in 1983, a city that was part of the Soviet Union at the time, Kunis and her family moved to the United States when she was seven, seeking a better life.
Reflecting on her family's history, Kunis revealed the impact of the Holocaust on her grandparents and the restrictions on religious practices in post-Holocaust Russia. "My whole family was in the Holocaust.
My grandparents died, and not many survived. After the Holocaust, being religious was not allowed in Russia. So my parents raised me to know I was Jewish. 'You know who you are inside,' Kunis said.
In a recent interview, Kunis candidly spoke about the difficulties she faced during her childhood in the United States. "She cried every day," the actress shared, describing the emotional challenges she encountered.
Recalling instances of anti-Semitism in school, Kunis vividly remembered a friend discovering a swastika on her seat in second grade. "This is a country that obviously does not love you," Kunis concluded, highlighting the harsh reality she and others faced.
Upon their arrival in the United States, Kunis and her family faced financial hardships, arriving in New York with only $250. Despite her father's background as a mechanical engineer and her mother's profession as a physics teacher, they struggled to find employment in their respective fields due to the non-recognition of their qualifications.
Kunis's father worked odd jobs, including driving a taxi and working as a painter, while her mother found employment in a pharmacy. The transition to a new culture and language proved challenging for the young actress. "I cried every day. I didn't understand the culture. I didn't understand people," Kunis shared, expressing the difficulties she encountered while adapting to American life. The actress revealed that she has blocked out memories of second grade, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on her.
Mila Kunis's journey from a challenging childhood in Chernivtsi to becoming a beloved Hollywood figure serves as a testament to her resilience and determination in overcoming adversity.
