Exclusive: Halle Berry: "My Mother Was a Battered Woman"

Halle Berry is no stranger to domestic violence.

"My mother was a battered woman and that was my childhood for a good chunk of it," the star, 43, says in an interview with NBC's Natalie Morales for an NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams segment airing Thursday.

"Early on in my life, I made choices, and I chose men that were abusive because that was what I knew growing up," she said four years ago, when she was honored by the Jenesse Center for her humanitarian work.

Through therapy, the star has said she learned what to do if and when a relationship turned violent.

Now, however, Berry -- who has said, "I'm not the girl that has the best relationships" -- has found happiness with beau Gabriel Aubrey, with whom she has 19-month-old daughter Nahla.

I am glad Halle Berry spoke out. People forget that their childern often follow in their patterns. So when you stay with the abuser it still afects the child.