June 20, 2025 – Bar Refaeli, one of Israel’s most iconic figures in the global entertainment and fashion industries, has built a multifaceted career as a supermodel, actress, television host, and businesswoman. Known for her striking beauty, international modeling success, and high-profile media presence, Refaeli has become a household name. Below is a detailed biography, including her early life, career highlights, personal life, controversies, and estimated net worth, accompanied by a summary table.
Early Life and Background
Born on June 4, 1985, in Hod HaSharon, Israel, Bar Refaeli grew up in a secular Jewish family with deep ties to the modeling world. Her mother, Tzipora “Tzipi” Levine, was a successful model in the 1970s, while her father, Rafael “Rafi” Refaeli, owned a horse stable. Refaeli’s grandparents, Holocaust survivors, were Jewish immigrants from Italy, Lithuania, and Poland, giving her a mixed Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage. She has two younger brothers, On Refaeli (an actor and model) and Dor Refaeli (an entrepreneur), and an older half-brother, Neil Ben-Porat, from her mother’s first marriage.
Refaeli’s exposure to modeling began remarkably early, appearing in commercials at just eight months old. Her career was briefly paused at age 12 due to orthodonture but resumed at 15 when she won “Model of the Year” at an Israeli beauty pageant in 2000, marking the start of her rise to fame.
Modeling Career
Refaeli’s modeling career skyrocketed in her teens, with prominent campaigns for Israeli fashion brands like Castro and Pilpel, as well as a commercial for Milky pudding. By 2007, she became the second Israeli model (after Michaela Bercu) to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, posing alongside the rock band Aerosmith. She made history as the cover model for the 2009 issue, cementing her status as a global supermodel. Her image from the shoot was famously painted on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737, though this sparked controversy among some passengers who deemed it inappropriate.
Refaeli has graced over 500 magazine covers, including Vogue, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Esquire, and Maxim. She has modeled for top brands such as Chanel, Versace, Calvin Klein, L’Oréal Paris, Ralph Lauren, Desigual, Garnier, and Victoria’s Secret. In 2012, Maxim voted her No. 1 on its Hot 100 list, and in 2013, Forbes Israel named her the highest-paid model in Israel, surpassing peers like Gal Gadot and Esti Ginzburg. She also received the World Style Award in 2009 from the Women’s World Awards and a Vienna Fashion Award for “Style-Icon” in 2013.
Acting and Television Career
Refaeli’s foray into acting began with a role in the Israeli children’s program Kofiko in 1994, followed by the drama series Pick Up in 2005, where she played Noa Zuckerman. In 2011, she starred in the American-Israeli psychological thriller Session, directed by Haim Bouzaglo, portraying a patient entangled with a manipulative psychiatrist. In 2013, she played a Mossad assassin in the French-Israeli crime comedy Kidon.
As a television host, Refaeli has been a prominent figure in Israel and beyond. She began hosting The X Factor Israel in 2013, a role she reprised in 2015 due to the show’s massive popularity. In 2019, she co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, further elevating her global profile. She also appeared as a guest judge on Project Runway Israel (2009), Germany’s Next Topmodel (cycle four), and hosted Million Dollar Shootingstar on Germany’s Sat.1 in 2012. Additionally, she co-hosted Bravo’s Tommy Hilfiger Presents Ironic Iconic America in 2008 and appeared in a GoDaddy Super Bowl XLVII commercial in 2013.
Business Ventures
Refaeli’s entrepreneurial spirit has contributed significantly to her wealth. In 2011, she co-founded the e-commerce company Under.me, a designer underwear brand, with Dudi Balsar, raising $1 million in venture capital. She also holds ownership stakes in fashion companies like Carolina Lemke and has invested in various startups, showcasing her business acumen.
Personal Life
Refaeli’s personal life has often been in the spotlight. She was married to Arik Weinstein from 2003 to 2005. From 2005 to 2011, she was in an on-and-off relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio, whom she met at a Las Vegas party for U2. Their relationship drew attention, including a controversial letter from a nationalist Israeli organization urging her not to marry a non-Jew, a request also made to 1998 Miss World winner Linor Abargil. Refaeli also dated Baywatch actor David Charvet, English musician Mick Jagger, and Israeli actor-musician Ran Danker.
In March 2015, Refaeli became engaged to Israeli businessman Adi Ezra, marrying him in a lavish Jewish ceremony on September 24, 2015, at the Carmel Forest Spa Resort near Haifa. The couple has three children: daughters Liv (born August 2016), Elle (born October 2017), and son David (born 2020). Refaeli has expressed her desire to raise “a big Jewish family.”
Philanthropy and Advocacy
Refaeli is actively involved in philanthropy, supporting causes like children’s health through Project Sunshine and pet welfare via Ahava during the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict. She has campaigned for environmental conservation, including an unpaid initiative with the Israel Water Authority in 2009 to promote water conservation and a campaign to reduce plastic bag use in Israel. In 2013, she hosted a Tel Aviv Pride beach party and advocated for civil marriage legislation in Israel, reflecting her commitment to social issues.
Controversies
Refaeli’s career has not been without controversy. In 2004, she faced criticism for evading Israel’s mandatory military service. More significantly, in 2015, she and her mother were detained by Israeli tax authorities for alleged tax evasion involving over $6 million in income between 2009 and 2012. Refaeli was accused of misrepresenting her residency, claiming to live in the U.S. with DiCaprio while residing in Tel Aviv under a family member’s name. In 2020, she reached a plea deal, receiving nine months of community service, a fine, and an order to pay $4.5 million in back taxes.
Net Worth
Estimates of Bar Refaeli’s net worth vary, reflecting her diverse income streams from modeling, acting, hosting, endorsements, and business ventures. Below is a compilation of reported figures from various sources:
- 2015: $20 million (Forbes Israel, IMDb)
- 2022: $30 million (Celebrity Net Worth, Net Worth Mirror)
- 2023: $35 million (CA Knowledge, Foster Business Journal)
- 2024: $30 million (Mabumbe, Vox Hour)
- Other Estimates: $25 million (Idol Net Worth, SuperbHub)
As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at approximately $30–35 million, driven by her modeling contracts, television roles, and entrepreneurial ventures. Her annual income is speculated to be around $3 million, though exact figures are unconfirmed.
Recent Developments
As of 2025, Refaeli remains active in modeling and media, though specific recent projects are less documented due to the ongoing regional tensions in Israel, including the recent Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Her public appearances have been limited, but her social media presence—boasting over 3.5 million Instagram followers, 933,000 Twitter followers, and 2.6 million Facebook followers—continues to showcase her fashion and lifestyle influence. She remains a prominent figure in Israel’s entertainment scene, balancing her career with philanthropy and family life.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bar Refaeli |
| Date of Birth | June 4, 1985 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 39 years |
| Place of Birth | Hod HaSharon, Israel |
| Height | 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) |
| Weight | 58 kg (128 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | 35-24-35 inches (89-60-89 cm) |
| Family | Parents: Tzipi Levine, Rafi Refaeli; Brothers: On, Dor, Neil Ben-Porat |
| Marital Status | Married to Adi Ezra (2015–present); Previously married to Arik Weinstein (2003–2005) |
| **等工作 | Children |
| Net Worth (2025) | $30–35 million (estimated) |
| Education | High school graduate |
| Occupations | Supermodel, Actress, Television Host, Businesswoman |
| Key Modeling Achievements | Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover (2009), Maxim Hot 100 No. 1 (2012), Forbes Israel’s highest-paid model (2013) |
| Key Acting Roles | Session (2011), Kidon (2013), Pick Up (2005) |
| Key TV Roles | Host of The X Factor Israel (2013–present), Co-host of Eurovision (2019) |
| Business Ventures | Co-owner of Under.me, stakes in Carolina Lemke, startup investments |
| Philanthropy | Project Sunshine, Ahava, Israel Water Authority, Tel Aviv Pride |
| Controversies | Tax evasion (2015–2020, settled with community service and $4.5M payment), military service evasion (2004) |
| Social Media | Instagram: 3.5M followers; Twitter: 933K followers; Facebook: 2.6M followers |
Bar Refaeli’s journey from a baby model to an international superstar reflects her talent, resilience, and versatility. Despite controversies, her achievements in modeling, acting, hosting, and business have solidified her as a leading figure in the global entertainment industry. With a net worth of $30–35 million and a strong social media presence, she continues to influence fashion and culture while advocating for social and environmental causes. Her story is one of ambition, adaptability, and enduring impact in a competitive industry.
Sources: Wikipedia, IMDb, Forbes Israel, Celebrity Net Worth, Mabumbe, CA Knowledge, SuperbHub, Net Worth Mirror
