01of 09Helping Her Native CountryNeilson Barnard/GettyThroughout 2022, Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis took the initiative to raise money and awareness for the ongoing war waging in her home country. In March, Kunis and her husband, fellowThat 70’s Showalumnus Ashton Kutcher,donated $3 millionin support of refugees fleeing from escalating conflict following Russia’s invasion. In an Instagram video posted to Kutcher’s account, the couple encouraged their fans to take action as well.“The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity,” Kunis said in the video. The couple also pointed followers to aGoFundMepage that set a total fundraising goal of $30 million, whichthey surpassedin just two weeks.At theAcademy Awards, Kunis took the stage to address the crisis in Ukraine. She highlighted the “strength and dignity of those facing such devastation” in her native country. “One cannot help but be in awe of those who find strength to keep fighting through unimaginable darkness,” she said.

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Helping Her Native Country

Neilson Barnard/Getty

Mila Kunis

Throughout 2022, Ukrainian-born actress Mila Kunis took the initiative to raise money and awareness for the ongoing war waging in her home country. In March, Kunis and her husband, fellowThat 70’s Showalumnus Ashton Kutcher,donated $3 millionin support of refugees fleeing from escalating conflict following Russia’s invasion. In an Instagram video posted to Kutcher’s account, the couple encouraged their fans to take action as well.

“The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity,” Kunis said in the video. The couple also pointed followers to aGoFundMepage that set a total fundraising goal of $30 million, whichthey surpassedin just two weeks.

At theAcademy Awards, Kunis took the stage to address the crisis in Ukraine. She highlighted the “strength and dignity of those facing such devastation” in her native country. “One cannot help but be in awe of those who find strength to keep fighting through unimaginable darkness,” she said.

02of 09

Staying Firm in Her Beliefs

Mila Kunis.Mike Coppola/Getty

94th Annual Academy Awards - Arrivals

03of 09

Drinking for a Cause

Ashton Kutcher/Twitter

Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis

At the head of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kunis and Kutcher delivered a product perfectly suited for the mood of April 2020. The couple teamed up with Nocking Point Wines and Battle Creek Vineyards to produce a Pinot Noir calledQuarantine Wineto aid in COVID relief efforts.

04of 09Making a Cheeky DonationGabe Ginsberg/WireImageIn November 2017, Kunis addressed her political views on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show, and thecharitably minded wayshe lets her actions speak louder than words.“I disagreed with some of the stuff that [Mike] Pence was doing and was trying to do, so as a reminder that there are women out there in the world that may or may not agree with his platform, I put him on a list of recurring donations that are made in his name to Planned Parenthood,” said Kunis of the then-vice president, clarifying that her actions were less of a prank and more of a “peaceful protest.“The actress noted that she always intended to donate to the women’s health organization, but she found humor in the political attribution of her funds. “Every month, to his office, he gets a little letter that says, ‘‘An anonymous donation has been made in your name,’ " she explained.

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Making a Cheeky Donation

Gabe Ginsberg/WireImage

2016 CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards - Arrivals

In November 2017, Kunis addressed her political views on Conan O’Brien’s late-night show, and thecharitably minded wayshe lets her actions speak louder than words.

“I disagreed with some of the stuff that [Mike] Pence was doing and was trying to do, so as a reminder that there are women out there in the world that may or may not agree with his platform, I put him on a list of recurring donations that are made in his name to Planned Parenthood,” said Kunis of the then-vice president, clarifying that her actions were less of a prank and more of a “peaceful protest.”

The actress noted that she always intended to donate to the women’s health organization, but she found humor in the political attribution of her funds. “Every month, to his office, he gets a little letter that says, ‘‘An anonymous donation has been made in your name,’ " she explained.

05of 09Stepping Out of Her Comfort ZoneAlberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesWhen it comes to making the world a better place, there’s nothing Kunis won’t try. In conversation withC Magazinefor an October 2022 profile, theFamily Guystar detailed the farm she and Kutcher installed in their Beverly Hills home. She admitted that the idea of a fully sustainable home felt intimidating at first.“My husband’s from the Midwest, and a lot of this has to do with his upbringing,” she said, noting it was Kutcher’s idea first. “He’s like, we’re building a farm and we’re all going to work on the farm. I’m from L.A., and I was like, we are? This has been a big learning curve for all of us.“But the Kunis-Kutcher family (the KuKus, as they’ve been known to call themselves) prevailed. “Whether it’s learning something new, doing something a little bit scary — all of that makes you stronger,” said the mom of two.

05of 09

Stepping Out of Her Comfort Zone

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Mila Kunis; Ashton Kutcher

When it comes to making the world a better place, there’s nothing Kunis won’t try. In conversation withC Magazinefor an October 2022 profile, theFamily Guystar detailed the farm she and Kutcher installed in their Beverly Hills home. She admitted that the idea of a fully sustainable home felt intimidating at first.

“My husband’s from the Midwest, and a lot of this has to do with his upbringing,” she said, noting it was Kutcher’s idea first. “He’s like, we’re building a farm and we’re all going to work on the farm. I’m from L.A., and I was like, we are? This has been a big learning curve for all of us.”

But the Kunis-Kutcher family (the KuKus, as they’ve been known to call themselves) prevailed. “Whether it’s learning something new, doing something a little bit scary — all of that makes you stronger,” said the mom of two.

06of 09

Breaking Into Big Tech

Taylor Hill/WireImage

Mila Kunis attends the premiere of Netflix’s “Luckiest Girl Alive” at Paris Theater on September 29, 2022 in New York City.

In 2021, Kunis leapt into the male-dominated industry of cryptocurrency, creatingher own non-fungible token-basedanimated series with her all-female crypto team, the 3050 Gang. Kunis’ production company Orchard Farms Productions put out the showStoner Cats, featuring the voices of Jane Fonda, Chris Rock, Seth MacFarlane and Kutcher. Viewers could gain access to the episodes through the purchase of NFTs.

“I think things are already changing,” she said in July 2021. “I can see it with my daughter and the access she has to clubs and camps along with STEM being taught in schools. Not to say that I couldn’t have been an engineer, but it wasn’t pushed upon me. I wasn’t told science was cool. There’s no world that my daughter doesn’t think is an even playing ground.”

07of 09Raising Her Kids RightMatt Winkelmeyer/GettyTheBad Momsstar and her husband have come a long way from their humble upbringings, both being “very much self-made” and “very aware of what a dollar is worth,” as she said on Australian podcastThe Kyle and Jackie O Showin 2016. That’s why it was crucial for Kunis and Kutcher toraise their kids to appreciatewhat they have.“It’s a matter of teaching them from a very early age that, you know, ‘Mommy and Daddy may have a dollar, but you’re poor,’ " she joked. " ‘You are very poor, you have nothing. Mommy and Daddy have a bank account.’ "

07of 09

Raising Her Kids Right

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher

TheBad Momsstar and her husband have come a long way from their humble upbringings, both being “very much self-made” and “very aware of what a dollar is worth,” as she said on Australian podcastThe Kyle and Jackie O Showin 2016. That’s why it was crucial for Kunis and Kutcher toraise their kids to appreciatewhat they have.

“It’s a matter of teaching them from a very early age that, you know, ‘Mommy and Daddy may have a dollar, but you’re poor,’ " she joked. " ‘You are very poor, you have nothing. Mommy and Daddy have a bank account.’ "

08of 09

Prioritizing Parenting

Eric Charbonneau/Invision for STX Entertainment/AP

Mila Kunis

“There were many times where I didn’t bring a cover with me, and so I just did it in a restaurant, in the subway, in the park, at airports and in planes,” Kunis explained in the interview, during which she was expecting her second child. “Why did I do it in public? Because I had to feed my child. She’s hungry.”

She noted that it was surprising to receive pointed looks for her parenting choices, but it hardly deterred her from doing what she needed to do. “That’s what I chose to do, but I think it’s unfortunate that people are so hard on women who choose to do it and do it in public,” she said.

09of 09Celeste SlomanFor more with Mila Kunis and PEOPLE’s People of the Year, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

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Celeste Sloman

Mila Kunis People POTY cover

For more with Mila Kunis and PEOPLE’s People of the Year, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday.

source: people.com