Major Controversies Surrounding Bar Refaeli: A Detailed Timeline

Public opinion and media debates around Bar Refaeli—discover key moments of controversy.

Bar Refaeli is a prominent Israeli model, actress, and businesswoman recognized as one of Israel's most successful models internationally. She gained widespread recognition for her appearance on the cover of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and was named No. 1 on Maxim's Hot 100 list in 2012. In addition to her modeling career, Refaeli has worked as a television host, notably hosting The X Factor Israel from 2013 and co-hosting the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv.

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Full Timeline Controversies & Scandals

2003: Married Arik Weinstein

In 2003, Bar Refaeli married family friend Arik Weinstein, which resulted in criticism.

2004: Criticism for avoiding army service

As early as 2004, Bar Refaeli received criticism in her country for avoiding its mandatory service in the army.

2005: Divorced Arik Weinstein

In 2005, Bar Refaeli divorced Arik Weinstein.

2007: Report of draft evasion

In 2007, Ynetnews reported that Bar Refaeli had evaded the draft by marrying family-acquaintance Arik Weinstein in 2003, and divorcing him soon afterwards.

2009: Sports Illustrated Cover Model

In 2009, Bar Refaeli was the cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Southwest Airlines then painted a bikini-clad Refaeli on its Boeing 737, which led to criticism.

2009: Criticism for evading military service

In 2009, fellow Israeli model Esti Ginzburg criticized Bar Refaeli for evading military-service.

2013: Criticism from IDF Brigadier General

In 2013, IDF Brigadier General Yoav Mordechai criticized the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for casting Bar Refaeli in an advertisement, citing her evasion of military service.

December 2015: Detained for Questioning Related to Tax Evasion

On 16 December 2015, Bar Refaeli and her mother were detained overnight by Israeli tax authorities in Tel Aviv for questioning related to potential tax evasion.

2016: Police Complaint for Identity Theft

In 2016, Bar Refaeli lodged a police complaint for identity theft after a news item on Calcalist linked her to suspicious money transfers involving Amir Bramly.

January 2019: Suspected of Tax Evasion

On 3 January 2019, it was announced that Bar Refaeli was suspected of tax-evasion and was facing a possible indictment along with her parents.

April 22, 2019: Tax Appeal Rejected

On April 22, 2019, Bar Refaeli's appeal was rejected and she was ordered to pay taxes on her concealed income of $4.5 million.

June 2020: Sentenced for Tax Evasion

In June 2020, Bar Refaeli was sentenced to 9 months of community service, fined $720,000, and made to pay the $2.3 million in back taxes she owed for tax evasion.