Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot 
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| Born | Gal Gadot 30 April 1985 Petah Tikva, Israel |
| Nationality | Israeli |
| Education | IDC Herzliya (attended) |
| Occupation | Actress, Model, Producer |
| Spouse | Yaron Varsano (m. 2008) |
| Children | 4 |
| Known for | Wonder Woman, Fast & Furious franchise |
Gal Gadot (Hebrew: גל גדות; born 30 April 1985) is an Israeli actress, model, producer, and former beauty queen. She gained worldwide recognition for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films and is regarded as one of Israel's most successful international entertainers. Gadot has also starred in the Fast & Furious franchise, Red Notice, Death on the Nile, and Heart of Stone.[1]
Early Life and Education
Gal Gadot was born on 30 April 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel, and grew up in Rosh HaAyin. She was raised in a Jewish family by her parents, Michael Gadot, an engineer, and Irit Gadot, a physical education teacher. Her family originally changed their surname from Greenstein to Gadot before her birth.[2]
As a child, Gadot participated in various sports including swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and dance. She attended Begin High School, where she majored in biology. Following graduation, she completed Israel's mandatory military service as a combat fitness instructor in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Miss Israel and Modeling Career
In 2004, Gadot won the Miss Israel beauty pageant and went on to represent Israel at the Miss Universe 2004 competition. Although she did not place in the international contest, her success launched her modeling career.
Following military service, she appeared in advertising campaigns and magazine features, becoming one of Israel's most recognized models. Her appearance in Maxim magazine's "Women of the Israel Defense Forces" feature significantly increased her public profile.[3]
Acting Career
Early Career
Gadot made her acting debut in the Israeli television drama Bubot in 2008. Shortly afterward, she landed her breakthrough Hollywood role as Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious (2009).
She later reprised the role in:
- Fast Five (2011)
- Fast & Furious 6 (2013)
- Fast X (2023)
Her military background and combat training helped her perform many action scenes convincingly.
Wonder Woman
In 2013, Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe.
She first appeared as the character in:
- Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
The role transformed her into a global superstar. Critics praised her portrayal for combining strength, compassion, and charisma.
She later starred in:
- Wonder Woman (2017)
- Justice League (2017)
- Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)
Wonder Woman became one of the highest-grossing superhero films led by a female character and established Gadot as one of Hollywood's leading actresses.[4]
Later Career
Following her success as Wonder Woman, Gadot expanded into major international productions including:
- Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018) – voice role
- Red Notice (2021)
- Death on the Nile (2022)
- Heart of Stone (2023)
- Snow White (2025)
- In the Hand of Dante (2025)
She also became a producer and co-produced several projects through her production company.
Business Ventures
Together with her husband Yaron Varsano, Gadot co-founded the production company Pilot Wave. The company develops film and television projects for international audiences.
She has also invested in Israeli technology startups and launched business ventures in food and consumer products.
Personal Life
Gadot married Israeli businessman and real-estate developer Yaron Varsano in September 2008. The couple has four daughters.
The family resides in Israel and the United States and maintains a relatively private lifestyle despite Gadot's global fame.
In 2024, Gadot publicly revealed that she experienced cerebral venous thrombosis during pregnancy, later using her platform to raise awareness about the condition.[5]
Awards and Recognition
Gadot has received numerous honors throughout her career.
Notable recognitions include:
- Miss Israel 2004
- Time 100 Most Influential People (2018)
- Forbes Highest-Paid Actresses List
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2025)
- Various honors from Israeli and Jewish organizations
She became the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025.
Legacy
Gal Gadot is widely regarded as one of Israel's most influential cultural figures. Through her portrayal of Wonder Woman, she helped redefine female superheroes in modern cinema and became an international symbol of strength and empowerment.
Her success in acting, business, and philanthropy has made her one of the most recognizable Israeli personalities worldwide.