Shannon Elizabeth Finds Love and Purpose in South African Wildlife Crusade

Shannon Elizabeth, best known for her iconic role in "American Pie," has taken her lifelong love for animals global, and the journey led her straight to her true calling—and her soulmate.

Elizabeth’s journey into animal advocacy started in Los Angeles back in 2001 with her charity, Animal Avengers. But as her passion for animal welfare grew, so did her ambitions. The charity evolved into the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation, after her move to New York in 2014, where she began to focus on conservation, particularly fighting rhino poaching and the ivory trade. As she got deeper into the cause, South Africa kept popping up in her life until, in true leap-of-faith fashion, she packed her bags and moved there.

"There was something that clicked in me," she shared, describing the moment she realized she wanted to help protect species on the brink of extinction. A post on Instagram was all it took to flip that internal switch. From then on, Africa called her name, and she answered, going all in to protect its wildlife.

Life in South Africa, however, required some serious adjustment. Elizabeth admits it’s not exactly an Amazon Prime paradise. "You don't have everything at your fingertips," she said, explaining how she had to get creative—turning into a bit of a MacGyver, saving every little cord just in case. But she found the community in South Africa warm and welcoming, making the transition a whole lot easier.

The move proved fateful in more ways than one. Elizabeth was introduced to Simon Borchert, a fellow conservationist from Cape Town, who quickly became her partner in both love and activism. She credits him with smoothing her transition into South African life, especially since he speaks Afrikaans and knows the conservation ropes inside out.

Now, the couple not only share a home but also co-manage the foundation, keeping expenses low and their mission running smoothly. It’s a partnership built on shared dreams, mutual passion, and a whole lot of teamwork. "We're mirror images of each other. We want the same things, and we're so aligned with everything that we love in the world and love in this universe," said Elizabeth, clearly smitten.

While they tackle the business side of the foundation from home, their happiest moments are out in the field. The pair regularly head to their sanctuary—just a short flight away—where they camp, rise with the sun, and care for a blind black rhino, Munu. These hands-on days are what Elizabeth calls her "happy place."

Despite her deep dive into conservation, Elizabeth hasn’t left Hollywood completely behind. She still picks up acting gigs and is even venturing into directing, using her Hollywood skills to make a difference for her foundation. She fondly remembers the wild ride that started with her breakthrough in "American Pie"—including the unforgettable moment she twisted her ankle from excitement after booking the role. That movie, she says, opened every door she’s walked through since.

Elizabeth’s acting career now serves a dual purpose: it funds her charity work and helps her maintain a platform to raise awareness. "I think of my acting as my job, but I think my charity as my mission," she explained. She’s also working on a documentary about Munu, their special-needs rhino resident, blending her two worlds for a cause she believes in.

She’s grateful for the fans she’s met over the years, especially those who get emotional at conventions. "Almost every convention there’s a fan that makes me cry because they get so emotional," she noted, touched by the impact her work has had on people’s lives.

For Elizabeth, the magic formula is finding purpose in both career and mission. "If you can do something in your life, that is your job, and it’s how you survive, but it’s also your mission and something you love... you’re winning at life," she said. And honestly, it looks like she’s doing just that.