Bar Refaeli

Meta description: Discover the life of Bar Refaeli—Israeli supermodel, TV host, actress, entrepreneur. Learn about her rise to fame, controversies, activism, and lasting influence.

Introduction

Bar Refaeli (Hebrew: בר רפאלי), born June 4, 1985, in Hod HaSharon, Israel, is one of Israel’s most internationally known models and media personalities.

Early Life and Family

Bar Refaeli was born into a secular Jewish family in Hod HaSharon.

Her maternal and paternal grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Italy, Lithuania, and Poland, and some were Holocaust survivors.

Bar has two younger brothers, On Refaeli (an actor and model) and Dor Refaeli (an entrepreneur), and a half-brother from her mother’s prior marriage, Neil Ben-Porat.

From early infancy, Bar appeared in commercials (as young as eight months old).

Modeling Career & Breakthroughs

Return to Modeling & Early Recognition

At age 15, Bar Refaeli resumed modeling, signing with Irene Marie Models.

She appeared in editorials and covers in fashion magazines such as Elle, Vogue, GQ, Marie Claire, and more, across various countries.

International Success & Iconic Moments

Bar Refaeli made a major milestone by appearing in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue; in 2009 she was featured on the cover.

In 2012, she was voted No. 1 on Maxim magazine’s Hot 100 list.

At her peak, she was considered Israel’s highest-paid model (circa 2013) by Forbes Israel.

Over time her branding extended to many international fashion and commercial campaigns—including brands like Chanel, Escada, Victoria’s Secret, Garnier, Reebok, and others.

Media, Television & Entrepreneurship

Beyond modeling, Bar Refaeli has built a media presence and business portfolio.

• She has served as a television host: she hosted The X Factor Israel since 2013.

• She co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv.

• She appeared in Israeli TV series—e.g. Pick Up in 2005—and had small film roles in Session (2011) and Kidon (2013).

• Her entrepreneurship includes investments in fashion and tech: she has held stakes in Israeli fashion brands (e.g. the glasses company Carolina Lemke) and co-founded e-commerce ventures (such as underwear brand Under.me).

• She also backed a startup called Mika Look (an app to shop what models wear) and invested in MyCheck (a smartphone payments platform).

Public Activism & Controversies

Advocacy and Social Engagement

Bar Refaeli has used her voice in social issues:

• In 2009, she led an unpaid campaign for the Israel Water Authority to raise awareness about water conservation.

• She publicly supported civil marriage legislation in Israel.

• She has appeared in support of LGBTQ causes and events such as hosting beach events for Tel Aviv Pride.

Draft Evasion Controversy

One of the most sensitive issues in Israel tied to her image is the mandatory military service for Israeli citizens. Bar was criticized for evading service.

In 2003 she married (reportedly to avoid the draft) and then divorced shortly thereafter, a move many saw as a tactic to circumvent mandatory enlistment.

She later agreed to publicly support army enlistment and visit injured soldiers to respond to criticism.

Tax Evasion Case & Legal Issues

In 2015, Israeli tax authorities accused Refaeli and her mother of concealing millions of shekels in income, claiming she failed to pay taxes on perks, discount deals, and other compensation.

By 2020, after legal proceedings via a plea bargain, she was convicted: ordered to perform nine months of community service, pay fines, and settle back taxes of about $2.3 million. Her mother served a prison sentence.

These controversies have been widely covered in media.

Personal Life

Bar Refaeli’s personal life has also drawn public attention.

• In 2003, she married Arik Weinstein; this marriage later dissolved, amid speculation it was related to draft evasion.

• From 2005 to 2009 she was in a high-profile relationship with American actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

• She married Israeli businessman Adi Ezra on September 24, 2015.

• Together they have three children: two daughters and one son.

Legacy & Influence

Bar Refaeli continues to be a major public figure in Israel and globally:

• She helped bring international visibility to Israeli fashion and modeling.

• Her business ventures showcase a shift from model to entrepreneur.

• The controversies surrounding her (especially over military service and taxes) provoke conversations about celebrity, civic duty, and privilege in Israel.

• Her media roles (hosting major Israeli shows, Eurovision) cement her status not just as model but as television personality.

While her public image is mixed in some segments, her success across multiple arenas—fashion, media, business—makes her a notable example of branching out beyond modeling.