Gal Gadot Bio
Gal Gadot (pronounced [ˈɡal É¡aˈdot]; born 30 April 1985) is an Israeli actress. She gained recognition for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films from 2016 to 2023. In 2018, Gadot was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people and ranked by Forbes as the tenth-highest-paid actress, later rising to third in 2020. She became the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025.
Early Life and Background
Gal Gadot was born on 30 April 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel. She was born to Jewish parents of Ashkenazi descent; her mother’s roots are Czech and Polish, while her father’s are Austrian, Russian, and German. Her parents, Michael Gadot, an engineer, and Irit Gadot, a physical education teacher, hebraized their surname from “Greenstein” to “Gadot” before her birth. Gadot has a younger sister named Dana. At the age of eight, her family moved to the Givat Tal neighborhood of Rosh HaAyin, where she grew up in a very Jewish, Israeli family environment. Encouraged by her mother, she took up swimming at four and later played tennis, joined local volleyball and basketball teams, and trained in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz for 12 years.
Path to Hollywood
Gadot first gained attention locally after winning Miss Israel 2004, which led to her representing Israel in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant. After her pageant experience, she served two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat trainer. During her service, she participated in a Maxim photo shoot that significantly boosted her public profile, leading her to model and endorse various brands. Following her military service, she made her television debut in the Israeli drama “Bubot” in 2008 and made her film debut in a supporting role as Gisele Yashar in “Fast & Furious” (2009), which marked her entry into the broader film industry.
Gal Gadot Career
Early Career (2004–2009)
Gadot’s early career was marked by her participation in the Miss Israel pageant and her subsequent military service. After her debut in “Fast & Furious,” she reprised her role in several sequels, solidifying her status as a rising star in Hollywood. Her performance earned her rave reviews and established her as a Hollywood mainstay.
Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Gadot’s breakthrough came when she portrayed Wonder Woman in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” (2016). Her performance was widely praised, leading to her starring role in the standalone film “Wonder Woman” (2017), which became a major box office success. She reprised the role in “Justice League” (2017) and “Wonder Woman 1984” (2020), further cementing her status as a leading actress in the industry. In 2020, she reportedly earned $10 million for her role in “Wonder Woman 1984,” highlighting her rise in the industry.
Notable Works and Milestones
Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Wonder Woman has become a defining role in her career, praised for bringing strength and depth to the character. She has also starred in films such as “Red Notice” (2021), “Death on the Nile” (2022), and “Heart of Stone” (2023), showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Gal Gadot Award Nominations
Throughout her career, Gal Gadot has received several nominations for her performances, particularly for her role as Wonder Woman, which has garnered critical acclaim and recognition.
Gal Gadot Awards Won
Gal Gadot has achieved significant recognition in her career, including being named one of Time’s 100 most influential people and receiving accolades for her portrayal of Wonder Woman.
Gal Gadot Family
Gal Gadot is married to Jaron Varsano, a real estate developer, since 2008. The couple resides in Neve Tzedek, Tel Aviv, and has four daughters: Alma, born in 2011; Maya, born in 2017; Daniella, born in 2021; and Ori, born in 2024.
Personal Life
Although Gadot has stated that she does not believe in God and is not religiously observant, she performs the Modeh Ani prayer and seeks solace in the Jewish community. She has been open about her struggles with impostor syndrome and has shared her near-death experience during her pregnancy with her fourth daughter, which has made her more grateful and present in her life.
