Gal Gadot Bio
Gal Gadot (born 30 April 1985) is an Israeli actress who rose to global fame portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films between 2016 and 2023. Recognized for her commanding screen presence, she became one of Hollywood’s most bankable leading ladies and a prominent ambassador for Israeli culture. In 2018, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and Forbes ranked her among the highest-paid actresses in the industry. In March 2025, she made history as the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Beyond her acting career, Gadot co-owns a film production company with her husband, has launched consumer brands, and invested in Israeli startups. She is widely regarded in Israel as a national icon whose success bridges Hollywood and her homeland.
Early Life and Background
Gal Gadot was born on 30 April 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel, to Jewish parents of Ashkenazi descent. Her mother, Irit, is a physical education teacher, and her father, Michael, is an engineer. Her parents hebraized the family surname from “Greenstein” to “Gadot” before her birth. In Hebrew, her first name means “wave” and her surname translates to “riverbanks.” She 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 Jewish Israeli household. As a child, she attended speech therapy to address a weak voice, where she learned proper breathing techniques. Encouraged by her mother to stay active, Gadot took up swimming at four, played tennis, and trained in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz for twelve years. At one point, she even considered a career as a choreographer.
Gadot attended Begin High School in Israel, where she majored in biology. Although Hebrew is her native language, she began taking English lessons in third grade and became fluent in part because she wanted to watch American television shows like Seinfeld and Friends. After graduating, she had a few months before beginning her mandatory two-year military service in the Israel Defense Forces.
Path to Acting
Before enlisting, Gadot was encouraged by her mother and a friend to apply for the Miss Israel pageant, which she won in 2004. Following her victory, she served two years in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat trainer. During her service, a Maxim photo shoot boosted her public profile, leading to modeling offers and brand endorsements. She initially dismissed modeling as a career but came to appreciate the opportunities it provided.
After completing her military service, Gadot transitioned into acting. She made her television debut in the Israeli drama Bubot in 2008. That same year, she married her husband, Jaron Varsano, a real estate developer. Her big break came when she was cast in a supporting role as Gisele Yashar in the action film Fast & Furious (2009), a part she would reprise in multiple sequels through 2023.
Gal Gadot Career
Early Career (2004-2015)
Following her win at Miss Israel 2004, Gadot completed her mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, during which she also began modeling. After her military service, she secured her first television role in the Israeli drama Bubot in 2008. She quickly transitioned to the big screen with a supporting part in Fast & Furious (2009), which introduced her to international audiences. By 2012, she had risen to second place on Forbes Israel’s list of top-earning models.
Gadot continued to build her Hollywood resume, reprising her role in the Fast & Furious franchise sequels. In 2013, her modeling earnings rose significantly, fueled by brand endorsements and her growing film career. These early roles established her as a rising star capable of handling major action productions.
Breakthrough (2016-Present)
Gadot’s career-defining moment came in 2016 when she was cast as Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. The success of that film led to her starring in the solo Wonder Woman (2017), directed by Patty Jenkins, which became a major box office hit and established her as a leading lady in Hollywood. She reprised the iconic role in Justice League (2017) and the sequel Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), the latter of which she also co-produced.
Following her triumph as Wonder Woman, Gadot expanded her range with diverse projects. She starred in the Netflix action comedy Red Notice (2021) alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds. In 2022, she appeared in the mystery film Death on the Nile, for which she earned $5 million, making her the highest-paid star in the production. She also co-produced and starred in the action thriller Heart of Stone (2023). In 2025, she portrayed the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action Snow White and took on the role of Gemma Donati in the drama In the Hand of Dante.
Notable Works and Milestones
Gadot’s most celebrated work remains her portrayal of Wonder Woman, which earned her widespread acclaim and made her a global symbol of female empowerment. Her 2017 solo film became a major box office success, and she became the third highest-grossing actress of that year, with worldwide earnings of $1.4 billion. In 2018, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people, and Forbes ranked her as the tenth highest-paid actress. By 2020, she had risen to third on Forbes’ list of highest-paid actresses, earning $31.5 million that year.
Gal Gadot Family
Gal Gadot married Jaron “Yaron” Varsano, a real estate developer originally from Amsterdam, in 2008. The couple wed at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Israel. Together, they have four daughters: Alma, born in 2011; Maya, born in 2017; Daniella, born in 2021; and Ori, born in 2024. The family resides in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel.
Personal Life
Gadot and her husband co-founded Pilot Wave, a film and television production company, in October 2019. The couple also launched Goodles, a mac and cheese brand, in November 2021, and have invested in several Israeli startups, including Safe School and K Health. In 2020, Gadot purchased a penthouse in a gated community in Malibu. She has spoken openly about her struggles with impostor syndrome and, in February 2024, she was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis during her eighth month of pregnancy with her daughter Ori, a serious health challenge from which she has since recovered.
