Alison Botha Biography – Survivor And Motivational Speaker

  • 5 MIN READ
Alison Botha Bio

Alison Botha was 27 when she suffered a gruesome incident. Image Source: Social Media.

  • Birth DateSeptember 12, 1967
  • Birth Name Alison Botha
  • Age 57
  • Father's Name Brian
  • Mother's Name Claire
  • Birth Place Port Elizabeth, Gqeberha, South Africa
  • Birth Sign Virgo
  • Nationality South African
  • Profession Motivational Speaker
  • Partner Tienie Botha
  • Relationship Status Married
  • Eye Color Grey
  • Hair Color Black
  • Children Daniel Botha, Matthew Botha
  • Official Website http://www.alison.co.za/assets/content-page.php?id=home
  • Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AlisonABC

 Alison Botha is one of the most recognized motivational speakers who miraculously survived a brutal rape and attempted murder. She gained fame after surviving a horrific case of disembowelment and was almost decapitated after a series of stabbing by two criminals. She survived and later became a motivational speaker to inspire other victims to come forward and tell their stories.

With the immense popularity she has earned, many people are curious to know the details of the incident she had to go through. Also, people are eager to know more about how she has been living her life as a survivor. So, let’s talk more about Alison Botha’s injuries, net worth, family, and career in this article.

Parents Divorced When She Was Young

Alison was born on September 12, 1967, in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Her parents Claire and Brian divorced when she was only 10 years old. The start of her life must have been difficult as her parents parted ways.

Alison Botha's Parents
Alison Botha’s parents divorced when she was only 10. Image Source: Social Media.

Botha also had a brother, who was 18 months older than her. Alison and her brother Neale lived with their mother after the separation. Very little is known about their dad though.

The survivor was a head girl at The Collegiate High School For Girls in her hometown before she pursued her further education. She has been an inspiration for many people around the world with the strength she gathered after facing such a horrible experience.

Abducted And Raped; Extraordinary Rescue

On December 18, 1994, Botha was returning back to her apartment in Port Elizabeth after a night out with her friends, but as soon as Alison parked her car, she was threatened by a man carrying a knife. Then the attacker ordered her to move to the next seat and drove her car to pick up his accomplice.

Alison Botha’s captors took her to a secluded area on the outskirts of the town. It was already a frightening experience for Botha, who they cruelly raped, disemboweled, and then had her throat slit.


The first man who took the car identified himself as Clinton, however, his real name was Frans du Toit and his accomplice was Theuns Kruger. First, the two criminals raped her and tried to suffocate her. They stabbed her in the stomach 37 times as Frans wanted to destroy her reproductive organs.

After noticing she was still alive, The Ripper Rapists started to slice her throat and did it 16 times. Alison later explained that all she could see was an arm moving above her face. After that, they left her to die with numerous wounds all over her body.

A veterinary student named Tiaan Eilerd rescued her. He kept her conscious to wait for the paramedics. Alison stayed at the hospital for three weeks when she helped the authorities to arrest The Ripper Rapists aka Toit and Kruger. After being convicted, the criminals were sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

Also Read: More About US Soccer Player Kellyn Acosta 

Alison Botha Net Worth And Career

Even after facing such a devastating experience, Alison has been dealing with the trauma and still thriving forward. She has gone on to inspire a few movies and books about her and the sexual abuse she faced. With a lot of inspirational programs she has hosted, Alison Botha’s net worth must be immense.

Famous writer Marianne Thamm approached Alison to ghostwrite a book on her experience and to inform the world about the struggle she had to endure in her life. The book titled ‘I Have Life: Alison’s Journey’ was published in 1998. The kindle price of the book is $6.99, while they sell the paperback for $49.95. With that, it must have added massively to Alison’s earnings.

The book was translated into seven different languages which must have increased Alison Botha’s net worth. After becoming a best-seller exploring the experience and devastation of a woman, it sold over 90,000 copies worldwide. Alison then published a second book called ‘For the Tough Times’ in 2002. Also, a documentary titled ‘Alison’ was released on May 30, 2016.

Cesar Millan is a television personality with massive wealth.

Happily Married; Has Two Sons

Alison married Tienie Botha in February 1997. Botha explained that the pair met a year after her attack at a friend’s house. Alison Botha’s husband has been a constant help in everything she does and he must have helped her heal as well.

The pair had a son named Daniel Botha on November 13, 2003, followed by a second son Matthew Botha, in November 2006.

Despite experiencing a terrible incident, Alison has been able to heal and live a great life with her family. Let’s hope she can inspire many people in the future and stay happy.

Trivia And Facts

  • Alison crawled towards the highway with a nearly decapitated head and a disemboweled intestines to find help.
  • She was the first recipient of Femina magazine’s ‘Woman of Courage’ award in 1995.