Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot Varsano, formerly known as Gal Gadot, was born on April 30, 1985. She is an Israeli actress, model, and former beauty pageant winner. In 2004, she won the title of Miss Israel and went on to represent her country in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant. Following her pageant success, Gadot served in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor for two years. After completing her military service, she pursued higher education at IDC Herzliya while simultaneously building her career in modeling and acting.


Gadot's first major international film role came in 2009 when she portrayed Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious. She continued to play this character in subsequent installments of the franchise. However, it was her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films that propelled her to worldwide fame. Notable appearances include Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Wonder Woman (2017). Outside of the superhero genre, Gadot has showcased her talent in films such as Red Notice (2021) and Death on the Nile (2022).
Recognized for her impact on the entertainment industry, Gadot was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. Additionally, she has appeared multiple times in rankings of the world's highest-paid actresses.


Gal Gadot was born on April 30, 1985, in Petah Tikva, her initial place of residence, before her family relocated to Rosh HaAyin, where she spent her formative years. In Hebrew, her given name translates to "wave," while her surname means "riverbanks." Her parents, Michael Gadot, an engineer, and Irit Gadot (née Weiss), a physical education teacher, decided to Hebraize their surname from "Greenstein" before Gal's birth. Gal has a younger sister named Dana. Her father, a sixth-generation Sabra, has deep roots in Israel, while her maternal grandparents, survivors of 20th-century Europe, endured the horrors of the Holocaust. Gal's grandfather was imprisoned in Auschwitz during Nazi occupation, while her grandmother managed to flee Europe prior to World War II.


Raised in a profoundly Jewish and Israeli household, Gal was immersed in her cultural heritage from a young age. During her upbringing in Israel, she dedicated twelve years to learning and performing jazz and hip-hop dance. Her early employment included stints at a local Burger King and babysitting. Gal completed her education at Begin High School in Rosh HaAyin, where she specialized in biology. Like many Jewish high school students in Israel, she participated in trips to Holocaust memorial sites, visiting Auschwitz and Majdanek in Poland. The experience deeply impacted her, fostering a profound empathy for the suffering endured by Holocaust victims.
At the age of 20, Gal commenced her mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor. Her military background proved advantageous in securing her role as Gisele Yashar in the 2009 film Fast & Furious, with director Justin Lin valuing her expertise with weapons. Following her military service, Gal pursued studies in law at IDC Herzliya college in Israel, now known as Reichman University.


At the age of 18, Gal Gadot ventured into the realm of beauty pageants by participating in the Miss Israel national competition, initially viewing it as a lighthearted endeavor. To her surprise, she emerged victorious, a triumph she had never anticipated. This victory propelled her to represent Israel in the prestigious Miss Universe 2004 pageant held in Ecuador.


Following her pageant success, Gadot's modeling career soared to international heights. She spearheaded campaigns for renowned brands such as Miss Sixty, Huawei smartphones, Captain Morgan rum, Gucci fragrances, Vine Vera skincare, and Jaguar Cars. Notably, in 2015, she was chosen as the ambassador for Gucci's Bamboo perfume line. Her striking features graced the covers of numerous publications including Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Bride Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, UMM, Cleo, Fashion, Lucire, and FHM. Moreover, she held the esteemed position as the primary model for the fashion brand Castro from 2008 to 2016.
In 2007, at the age of 21, Gadot garnered attention for her participation in the Maxim photo shoot titled "Women of the Israel Defense Forces." Her captivating presence led to her being featured on the cover of the New York Post.
Gadot's allure and charm were widely recognized, earning her the coveted top spot on FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list in 2017.
Continuing to expand her portfolio, Gadot solidified her status as a brand ambassador in 2018, partnering with Revlon and Reebok. She starred in campaigns promoting Revlon's empowering "Live Boldly" initiative and Reebok's inspirational "Be More Human" campaign.


After completing her first year of college, Gal Gadot received a surprise opportunity when a casting director reached out to her agent for an audition for the role of Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace. Despite ultimately losing the part to Olga Kurylenko, Gadot's career gained momentum with her starring role in the 2008 Israeli drama Bubot. Soon after, she landed the role of Gisele Yashar in the action-packed Fast & Furious franchise, following a casting director's decision to select her over six other actresses.
Gadot's involvement in the Fast & Furious series allowed her to showcase her talent and physical prowess, as she performed some of her own stunts in the films. She continued to diversify her filmography with appearances in movies such as Date Night and Knight and Day in 2010.


In 2016, Gadot's career reached new heights when she portrayed the iconic character Wonder Woman in the superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. To prepare for the role, she underwent extensive training in various martial arts disciplines. Her performance garnered widespread acclaim, establishing her as a formidable presence in the DC Extended Universe.
Gadot's dedication to empowering women extended beyond the screen, as evidenced by her participation in the United Nations' designation of Wonder Woman as an "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls." Despite initial controversy surrounding the character's selection, Gadot's commitment to gender equality remained unwavering.


Her portrayal of Wonder Woman continued to captivate audiences in solo and ensemble films, including Justice League in 2017. That same year, she earned membership in the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gadot's influence and success were further recognized in 2018 when Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and Forbes ranked her as one of the highest-paid actresses. She expanded her repertoire by voicing the character Shank in Ralph Breaks the Internet and appearing in Maroon 5's music video for "Girls Like You."
In subsequent years, Gadot's career continued to flourish, with notable roles in films such as Red Notice and Death on the Nile. Despite occasional critical scrutiny, Gadot's talent and versatility remain undeniable as she embarks on future projects, including a live-action adaptation of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and a remake of Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief.

References

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