Famous Israeli Women

Beautiful, intelligent and dignified, the Israeli woman is a rare combination of beauty and brains. Women in Israel have had a difficult past due to political instability in the country. But Israelis are known to be resilient and have worked hard to rebuild their country. Today Israel is a developed country which boasts of having one of the highest life expectancies in the world. The transformation of Israel from a strife ridden nation to a developed one was not an easy one—it was made possible only by the relentless hard work and determination of the country’s men and women. Women play an important role in contributing to their nation’s cultural heritage and Israeli women have doubtlessly been pivotal in their nation’s resurrection.

Vote for Your Favourite Israeli Women

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 1 
Natalie Portman
(American Actress Known for Her Films: 'Closer', 'Black Swan' and as 'Jane Foster' in 'Thor' Movies)
Natalie Portman
127
Birthdate: June 9, 1981
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel

Debuting at the age of thirteen, Israeli American actress Natalie Portman is today one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. Her movie list is impressive with successful projects like Black SwanJackie, Star Wars, Closer and Thor. While pursuing her passion for acting, the Academy award winning actress also ensured to complete her studies and graduated from Harvard University.

 2 
Bar Refaeli
(Israeli Model, Businesswoman and Actress Who Hosted ‘The X Factor Israel’)
Bar Refaeli
27
Birthdate: June 4, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Hod Hasharon, Israel
One of the highest-paid Israeli models, Bar Refaeli topped Maxim’s Hot 100 in 2012 and has worked for GQ and Elle. She has also hosted Germany's Next Top Model, The X Factor Israel, and the Eurovision Song Contest 2019. She faced criticism for avoiding Israel’s mandatory military service recruitment.
 3 
Mary Magdalene
(Disciple of Jesus Who was a Witness to His Crucifixion and Resurrection)
Mary Magdalene
21
Birthplace: Magdala, Israel

Mary Magdalene was an important biblical figure. It is said that she witnessed many of Jesus' miracles and life events, including his crucifixion and the subsequent resurrection. Since it is claimed that Magdalene was a prostitute, she has been viewed as the patroness of wayward women in the modern era. Her life has inspired several important works of art.

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 4 
Inbar Lavi
(Actress)
Inbar Lavi
16
Birthdate: October 27, 1986
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ramat Gan, Israel

Inbar Lavi is an Israeli actress best known for her performance in the American comedy-drama TV series Underemployed. Lavi is also credited with playing important roles on other American TV series like Gang Related, Prison Break, and Lucifer. Her popularity increased when she landed the lead role in the dark comedy television series Imposters where she played Maddie.

 5 
Golda Meir
(Former Prime Minister of Israel (1969 - 1974))
Golda Meir
16
Birthdate: May 3, 1898
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kyiv, Ukraine
Died: December 8, 1978

Born in present-day Ukraine and brought up in the United States, the phenomenal rise of Golda Meir to become the prime minister of Israel was driven by her sheer leadership qualities. She steered her country amid hostilities from its neighbourhood during her eventful term as premier which also saw the Yom Kippur War. She is remembered as a strong-willed woman.

 6 
Odeya Rush
(Actress & Model)
Odeya Rush
11
Birthdate: May 12, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Haifa, Israel

Odeya Rush is an Israeli model and actress best known for playing lead roles in American films like The Giver, The Bachelors, and Let It Snow. In 2016, Rush was honored at the Young Artist Awards with the Best Performance in a Feature Film award. In 2017, she received the Awards Circuit Community Award for her performance in Lady Bird.

 7 
Yael Grobglas
(French-Israeli Actress Best Known for Her Roles as 'Petra Solano' in the TV Seies 'Jane the Virgin')
Yael Grobglas
13
Birthdate: May 31, 1984
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Paris, France

Yael Grobglas is an Israeli actress known for her performance in the popular American satirical telenovela Jane the Virgin. After appearing in a couple of Israeli films, Grobglas achieved international recognition when she played Shir in a horror film titled Rabies. She then established herself in the American TV and film industry by appearing in projects like Jane the Virgin.

 8 
Bathsheba
(Queen consort of Israel)
Bathsheba
1
Birthdate: 1009 BC
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
Died: 0937 BC

The wife of Uriah the Hittite, Bathsheba was bathing on her roof when David saw her and had her brought to him. He then got Uriah killed and married Bathsheba. David and Bathsheba’s first child died as a punishment for his sins. She was also the mother of King Solomon.

 9 
Alona Tal
(Israeli Actress and Singer)
Alona Tal
3
Birthdate: October 20, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Herzliya, Israel

Alona Tal is an Israeli actress known for playing supporting roles in popular American TV series like Veronica Mars and Supernatural. Tal is also known for her singing skills; she has recorded a song with popular Haitian rapper and musician Wyclef Jean. She has also appeared in several American films like Half Past Dead 2, Broken City, and Opening Night.

 10 
Netta Barzilai
(Israeli Singer)
Netta Barzilai
20
Birthdate: January 22, 1993
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hod HaSharon, Israel

Eurovision Contest-winning Israeli artist Netta Barzilai won hearts with her track Toy, a song that spoke of women empowerment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she experimented with a podcast and performances from the balcony of her Tel Aviv apartment. She also performed the track Cuckoo for an online Eurovision event.

 11 
Ayelet Zurer
(Actor, Model, Stage actor)
Ayelet Zurer
1
Birthdate: June 28, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tel Aviv

Ayelet Zurer is an Israeli actress best known for playing the female lead in the American mystery thriller film Angels & Demons. A celebrated actress in Israel, Zurer has won many prestigious awards, such as the Israeli Film Academy Award and Israeli Television Academy Awards. In 2003, she was honored with the Best Actress award at the Jerusalem Film Festival.

 12 
Jezebel
(Queen Consort of Northern Israel)
Jezebel
4
Birthdate: 0900 BC
Birthplace: Israel
Died: November 30, 0841

Jezebel was the wife of the King of Israel, Ahab. Jezebel is credited with introducing the worship of Asherah and Baal on a national scale. She also purged the prophets of Yahweh, for which she is often associated with false prophets. An important cultural symbol, Jezebel is also associated with promiscuity and fallen women.

 13 
Deborah
(Prophetess)
Deborah
0
Birthdate: 1107 AD
Birthplace: Israel
Died: 1067 AD

Deborah was an Israeli prophetess and a judge of Israel who made her judgments underneath a date palm tree between Bethel in the Tribe of Ephraim and Ramah in Benjamin. According to the Bible, Deborah was the only female judge in pre-monarchic Israel.

 14 
Bar Paly
(Israeli-American Actress and Model)
Bar Paly
3
Birthdate: April 29, 1982
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Nizhny Tagil, Russia

Bar Paly is an actress and model best known for her role in the crime drama TV series NCIS: Los Angeles. She was born in the Soviet Union and moved to Israel as a child. She later immigrated to USA, where she entered the entertainment industry. She started out as a model and then began acting as well.   

 15 
Samaritan woman at the well
(Saint)
Samaritan woman at the well
0
Birthplace: Samaria, Israel
Died: 0066 AD
 16 
Mili Avital
(Actress)
Mili Avital
5
Birthdate: March 30, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel

Mili Avital is an Israeli actress, writer, and director who has been active in the entertainment industry for three decades. She studied acting at the Circle in the Square Theatre School and soon made her film debut. She began her career in Israel and now appears in international projects as well. She is the recipient of one Israeli Academy Award. 

 17 
Haya Harareet
(Israeli Actress and Screenwriter)
Haya Harareet
1
Birthdate: September 20, 1931
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Haifa, Israel
Died: February 3, 2021

Haya Harareet was an Israeli screenwriter and actress best remembered for her portrayal of Esther in the 1959 religious epic film Ben-Hur. Among her works as a screenwriter is the 1967 British drama film Our Mother's House, which was directed by Jack Clayton. She was an international star; she appeared in Israeli, Italian, British, and American films.

 18 
Dana International
(Singer, Songwriter)
Dana International
3
Birthdate: February 2, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Israel
 19 
Keren Peles
(Singer)
Keren Peles
9
Birthdate: March 11, 1979
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Yavne'el, Israel

Keren Peles is an Israeli pianist, singer-songwriter, and poet. Over the course of her songwriting career, Peles has contributed immensely to the success of other popular singers like Shiri Maimon and Miri Mesika by writing the lyrics of some of their hit songs. She has also found success as a singer as many of her albums have been certified gold.  

 20 
Esti Ginzburg
(Actor, Model, Television presenter)
Esti Ginzburg
0
Birthdate: March 6, 1990
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Tel Aviv

Esti Ginzburg is an Israeli model, television host, and actress. One of the most popular faces in Israel, Ginzburg has taken part in international campaigns, modeling for fashion brands like Tommy Hilfiger and FCUK. Ginzburg was also featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for three consecutive years starting from 2009. Also a philanthropist, Ginzburg works with the Hayim Association.

 21 
Daliah Lavi
(Israeli Actress, Singer and Model)
Daliah Lavi
2
Birthdate: October 12, 1942
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Shavei Tzion, Israel
Died: May 3, 2017

Daliah Lavi was an Israeli actress, model, and singer. Throughout her career, Lavi played important roles in several European and American productions. As she was fluent in many languages, she acted in English, Italian, Spanish, German, and French-language films. Thanks to her impressive physique, she was also popular for playing a femme fatale in many films.

 22 
Noa Tishby
(actor, singer, model, television presenter)
Noa Tishby
3
Birthdate: May 22, 1977
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Ramat Aviv

Noa Tishby is an Israeli actress, producer, writer, and activist. She achieved popularity after appearing in the 2005 science fiction film, The Island, which starred Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson. As a producer, Tishby is credited with co-producing the Peabody Award-winning series In Treatment. A popular activist, Tishby was named among the 50 Most Influential Jews by the Jerusalem Post.

 23 
Safra A. Catz
(Businessperson)
Safra A. Catz
0
Birthdate: December 1, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Holon, Israel
 24 
Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem
(Queen)
Sibylla, Queen of Jerusalem
0
Birthdate: 1160 AD
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Israel
Died: July 25, 1190
 25 
Gal Gadot
(Israeli Actress and Model Who is Known for Her Role in the Film ‘Wonder Woman’)
Gal Gadot
272
Birthdate: April 30, 1985
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Rosh Haayin, Israel

From Miss Israel to Wonder Woman, Gal Gadot has made heads turn and take notice of her. Serving two years in Israeli Army as a combat trainer surely helped Gadot in her movie career, where she is known for playing strong, action-oriented roles. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2018.

 26 
Mary, Mother of Jesus
(Mother of Jesus)
Mary, Mother of Jesus
10
Birthdate: September 8, 0018
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Nazareth
Died: 0033 AD

The mother of Jesus Christ and the wife of Joseph, Mary, also known as the Virgin Mary, finds mention in both the New Testament and the Quran. Though most Catholic scholars believe in traditional Marian dogmas, Protestants have often argued, questioning ideas such as the Assumption of Mary.

 27 
Herodias
(Queen of Galilee)
Herodias
0
Birthdate: 0015 AD
Birthplace: Jerusalem
Died: 0039 AD
 28 
Anna Zak
(Israeli Online Personality and TikTok Star)
Anna Zak
8
Birthdate: March 12, 2001
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sochi, Russia

Anna Zak is an Israeli Internet personality, singer, and model. With more than a million followers on Instagram and four million followers on TikTok, Anna is considered one of the most influential social media stars in Israel. In 2017, she was named the most influential Instagrammer in Israel, ahead of personalities like Bar Refaeli.

 29 
Athaliah
(Queen of Judah (c. 841 – 835 BCE))
Athaliah
0
Birthplace: Samaria, Israel
Died: 0836 BC
 30 
Yael Naim
(Singer-songwriter)
Yael Naim
1
Birthdate: February 6, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Height: 5'0" (152 cm)
 31 
Ninet Tayeb
(Israeli Musician, Singer-Songwriter and Composer)
Ninet Tayeb
1
Birthdate: October 21, 1983
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Kiryat Gat, Israel

Ninet Tayeb is an Israeli musician, composer, singer-songwriter, DJ, actress, and model. Regarded as one of the most famous people in the entertainment industry in Israel, Tayeb is also renowned for her International collaborations; in 2015, she was named among the hottest new artists to enter the American entertainment industry. She has won a couple of MTV Europe Music Awards.

 32 
Ronit Elkabetz
(Israeli Actress, Screenwriter and Film Director)
Ronit Elkabetz
0
Birthdate: November 27, 1964
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Beersheba, Israel
Died: April 19, 2016

Ronit Elkabetz was an Israeli actress, film director, and screenwriter. A critically acclaimed actress and director, Elkabetz received several prestigious awards during her lifetime. She received three Ophir Awards as well as the Cannes Film Festival's France Culture Award. In 2010, she received a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to Israeli cinema from the Israeli Film Academy.

 33 
Isabella I of Jerusalem
(Queen)
Isabella I of Jerusalem
1
Birthdate: 1172 AD
Birthplace: Nablus, Israel
Died: April 5, 1205
 34 
Ofra Haza
(Israeli Singer, Songwriter and Actress)
Ofra Haza
86
Birthdate: November 19, 1957
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hatikva, Tel Aviv, Israel
Died: February 23, 2000

Ofra Haza was an Israeli actress and singer who achieved great popularity in the Western world where she came to be known as the Madonna of the East. An influential cultural figure in Israel, Ofra Haza played a major role in popularizing the Mizrahi culture. During her illustrious singing career, Haza earned several gold and platinum discs.

 35 
Ada Yonath
(Scientist)
Ada Yonath
0
Birthdate: June 22, 1939
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Jerusalem, Isreal

Ada Yonath is an Israeli crystallographer. She is best known for her work on the structure of the ribosome, for which she received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Venkatraman Ramakrishnan and Thomas A. Steitz. The first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize, she occupies the Martin S. and Helen Kimmel Professorial Chair at the Weizmann Institute.  

 36 
Yasmin Levy
(Singer)
Yasmin Levy
1
Birthdate: December 23, 1975
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Jerusalem
 37 
Rula Jebreal
(Palestinian Foreign Policy Analyst, Journalist, Novelist and Screenwriter)
Rula Jebreal
2
Birthdate: April 24, 1973
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Haifa, Israel

Rula Jebreal is a Palestinian journalist, foreign policy analyst, novelist, and screenwriter. Her first novel Miral was adapted into a film of the same name. Directed by Julian Schnabel, Miral had Freida Pinto playing the title role.

 38 
Sara Netanyahu
(Psychologist)
Sara Netanyahu
5
Birthdate: November 5, 1958
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kiryat Tiv'on

Sara Netanyahu is an Israeli educational and career psychologist. She is married to former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She is the daughter of a Polish-born Israeli Jewish educator. She has worked as a psychotechnical evaluator and an educational psychologist. She has received much negative media attention for the mistreatment of her staff. 

 39 
Sarit Hadad
(Israeli Singer)
Sarit Hadad
0
Birthdate: September 20, 1978
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Afula, Israel
 40 
Shafi Goldwasser
(university teacher, cryptographer, mathematician, computer scientist)
Shafi Goldwasser
0
Birthdate: 1958 AD
Birthplace: New York City

Shafi Goldwasser is a computer scientist who serves as the chief scientist of Duality Technologies which she co-founded in 2016. In 1997, she started serving as RSA Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), becoming the institute's first holder of the professorship. In 2012, she was honored with the Turing Award for her work in the field of cryptography.

 41 
Meital Dohan
(Actress, Comedian, Singer)
Meital Dohan
0
Birthdate: August 24, 1979
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Ra'anana

Israeli actor-singer Meital Dohan is best known as Yael from the series Weeds. One of her first roles was that of Juliet in a stage production of Romeo and Juliet. She had bagged a contract with Cameri Theater even before graduating. She has also released hit singles such as Yummy.

 42 
Ishtar
(Front vocalist of the French-based band Alabina)
Ishtar
1
Birthdate: November 10, 1968
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Kiryat Ata, Israel
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 43 
Tzipi Livni
(Politician, Lawyer, Diplomat, Manager)
Tzipi Livni
1
Birthdate: July 8, 1958
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Tel Aviv
 44 
Tzipi Hotovely
(Ambassador of Israel to the United Kingdom Since 2020)
Tzipi Hotovely
0
Birthdate: December 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Rehovot, Israel
 45 
Miri Regev
(Politician, Spokesperson, Officer)
Miri Regev
1
Birthdate: May 26, 1965
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kiryat Gat
 46 
Sofia Polgar
(Hungarian and Israeli Chess Player)
Sofia Polgar
0
Birthdate: November 2, 1974
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary
 47 
Esther Ofarim
(Actor, Singer)
Esther Ofarim
2
Birthdate: June 13, 1941
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Safed

Esther Ofarim is an Israeli singer. She began performing folk songs as a child. As a young woman, she married Abi Ofarim, a guitarist and dancer. The couple performed together as the folk duo Esther & Abi Ofarim in the 1960s. After they divorced, she focused on building a solo career. She is the recipient of an Edison Award. 

 48 
Gila Golan
(Model)
Gila Golan
0
Birthdate: December 30, 1940
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kraków, Poland

Gila Golan is an Israeli former model and actress. Born in Poland during World War II, she was adopted by a Catholic family. She was studying to be a teacher when a chance encounter with a photographer led to a modeling career. She soon started acting in films as well. After retiring from acting, she opened an investment business. 

 49 
Agnes Keleti
(Hungarian-Israeli Retired Artistic Gymnast and Coach)
Agnes Keleti
1
Birthdate: January 9, 1921
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Budapest, Hungary

Agnes Keleti is a Hungarian-Israeli former artistic gymnast and coach. A former Olympic and world champion, Keleti won 10 Olympic medals including two bronze medals, three silver medals, and five gold medals. She is regarded as one of the most successful Jewish Olympians of all time. In 2001, Agnes Keleti was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame.  

 50 
Rim Banna
(Singer)
Rim Banna
0
Birthdate: December 8, 1966
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Nazareth, Israel
Died: March 24, 2018

The gutsy Golda Meir, "Iron Lady" of Israeli politics defied tradition to become the first woman Prime Minister of Israel making it one of the few countries where a woman has served as a Prime Minister. Israeli women are also required to serve mandatory military service requirement. The women of this country have left their mark in various arenas such as science, mathematics, literature, fine arts, films and fashion. After all, super model Bar Refaeli is an Israeli woman! Browse this section to read all about the famous Israeli women who helped shape the world.