Halle Berry as Leticia Musgrove in 2001's 'Monster's Ball.' Berry's gut-wrenching performance as a woman struggling with grief after a family tragedy earned her an Oscar at the 74th Academy Awards, making her the first Black woman to ever take home the trophy for Best Actress. | The Academy

Halle Berry was warned that the Canadian model she had met recording that commercial was with her only for money. The actress dismissed the signs and embarked on a love affair that, to her horror and surprise, soon proved right to those who insisted for so long about the dangers ... Halle only realized when she saw what he had planned to do with their daughter. | Icons

Halle Berry couldn't speak for 30 seconds after being named Best Actress for Monster's Ball at the 74th Academy Awards on March 24, 2002. She sobbed through the standing ovation. When she reached the microphone, she dedicated the award to Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, and Diahann Carroll. She remains the only Black woman to win Best Actress. Over 20 years. Still the only one. Berry's speech ran four minutes and is the most emotionally raw acceptance in Oscar history. She named the women who sho