Early Life and Education of Gal Gadot: A Complete Timeline
Discover the defining moments in the early life of Gal Gadot. From birth to education, explore key events.
Gal Gadot is an Israeli actress globally recognized for her portrayal of Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe. She initially rose to prominence after winning Miss Israel in 2004 and served two years in the Israeli Defense Forces. Her acting career began with the Israeli TV series Bubot in 2007. Gadot gained further recognition through a Maxim photo shoot and secured a significant role as Gisele Yashar in the Fast & Furious franchise starting in 2009, solidifying her position in Hollywood before her breakthrough as Wonder Woman.
1928: Birth of Abraham Weiss
In 1928, Gal Gadot's maternal grandfather, Abraham Weiss, was born in the village of Munkács, Czechoslovakia.
2005: Enlistment into the Israel Defense Forces
In 2005, a week after passing on the crown, Gal Gadot was conscripted into the Israel Defense Forces.
2006: Meeting Jaron Varsano
In 2006, Gadot met her future husband, Jaron Varsano, at a "chakra/yoga retreat type of party" in the Israeli desert.
2008: Fast & Furious Audition
In 2008, Gadot prepared for the audition for Fast & Furious and signed with Endeavor.
2008: Ynet Interview
In a 2008 interview with Ynet, Gadot reflected on her decision to enter the Miss Israel pageant.
2013: Maxim Photo Shoot Reflection
In 2013, Gadot reflected on her Maxim photo shoot experience and defended her role as a model.
2013: Castro CEO Statement
In 2013, the CEO of Castro stated that Gal Gadot was the perfect fit to represent Israeli beauty.
July 2016: Joins "Israel Creates Wonder Women" Campaign
In July 2016, Gal Gadot joined "Israel Creates Wonder Women", a campaign by Israeli female master’s students in communications to rebrand Israel by highlighting its strong women.
2016: Variety Interview on Wonder Woman Audition
In a 2016 Variety interview, Gadot described the audition process for Wonder Woman.
2016: Military Experience Reflection
In a 2016 interview with Fashion, Gadot reflected on her military experience and its impact.
2017: W Magazine Interview
In a 2017 interview with W Magazine, Gadot discussed her initial reaction to the role of Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
January 2018: Advocating for Gender Equality in Hollywood
In January 2018, Gal Gadot spoke about Hollywood's cultural shift towards gender equality, deeming it necessary and overdue. She also wore black at the Golden Globes to support the Time's Up movement, emphasizing the event's powerful and inspiring impact.
July 2018: Visiting Children's Hospital as Wonder Woman
In July 2018, Gadot visited Inova Children's Hospital in Annandale, Virginia, dressed as Wonder Woman, bringing joy and surprise to the children.
May 2019: Supporting Ill Children in Los Angeles
In May 2019, Gadot supported a "Reach Out Association" initiative, joining 25 ill children on a trip to Los Angeles. She had breakfast with them at their hotel and answered their questions.
October 2019: Pilot Wave Production Company Formed
In October 2019, Gal Gadot and her husband, Jaron Varsano, formed a film and television production company called Pilot Wave, giving Gadot more control over her career.
2019: Clash with Netanyahu over Arab Minority Rights
In 2019, Gadot defended actress Rotem Sela's call for equality for all citizens, after Prime Minister Netanyahu remarked that Israel is a "nation-state" for Jews only. Gadot's emphasis on "peace, equality, and tolerance" led to mixed reactions.
March 2020: Celebrity 'Imagine' Video Backlash
In March 2020, Gadot and other celebrities performed an online version of John Lennon's "Imagine" to raise morale during the COVID-19 pandemic. The video received backlash and was described as an ineffective response.
November 2021: Goodles Launch and Red Notice Release
In November 2021, Gal Gadot and her husband launched Goodles, a mac and cheese brand. That same month, she also starred in the Netflix film "Red Notice" alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.
2021: Backlash During the Israel-Palestine Crisis
In 2021, during the Israel–Palestine crisis, Gadot called for peace in a statement that sparked backlash for its perceived neutrality and downplaying of Palestinian suffering. She was criticized for not taking a stronger stance in support of Israel.
August 2022: Visiting Netiv HaAsara and Seeking Shelter in Tel Aviv
In August 2022, Gadot visited Netiv HaAsara, a town near Gaza. She was also photographed in a missile shelter in Tel Aviv with her children during a rocket alert.
April 2023: Hosting Holocaust Remembrance Day Event
In April 2023, Gadot hosted a special Holocaust Remembrance Day event at her Hollywood home, as part of the "Zikaron BaSalon" tradition. She welcomed Holocaust survivors and Hollywood guests, reflecting on the power of people to do good.
May 2023: Award for Extraordinary Achievements
In May 2023, Gal Gadot received an award for "extraordinary achievements" at an event celebrating Israel’s 75th Independence Day in Los Angeles.
October 2023: Criticism During the Israel-Hamas War
In October 2023, during the Israel-Hamas war, Gadot's Instagram post condemning the killing of both innocent Palestinians and Israelis led to criticism from Israeli figures who accused her of equating the two and not understanding the gravity of the situation.
November 2023: Organizing Screening of 'Bearing Witness'
In November 2023, Gadot organized a screening of the Israeli film "Bearing Witness," which shows the violence of Hamas. The event, to which 120 people were invited, faced criticism for overlooking the situation in Palestine and serving those promoting war.
September 2024: Launching 'Voice of the People' Initiative
In September 2024, Gadot joined Israeli President Isaac Herzog in launching the "Voice of the People" initiative. The initiative is aimed at fostering global Jewish unity amidst rising antisemitism and the "ongoing hostage crisis."
December 2024: Recovery Announcement from Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
In December 2024, Gadot shared that she had fully recovered from cerebral venous thrombosis, a rare type of stroke she experienced during her pregnancy. She shared her experience to raise awareness about the condition.
January 2025: Participation in '#BringOnTheLight' Campaign and Golden Globes Controversy
In January 2025, Gadot participated in Noa Tishby’s '#BringOnTheLight' campaign, celebrating Jewish resilience during Hanukkah. She later faced backlash for not wearing a yellow ribbon pin at the Golden Globes, a symbol of support for hostages held by Hamas, clarifying she was never told not to wear it and instead wore a yellow ring.
