Gal Gadot
{{Short description|Israeli actress (born 1985)}}
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{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Gal Gadot
| image = Gal Gadot by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg
| caption = Gadot in 2017
| native_name = גל גדות
| native_name_lang = he
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|04|30|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Petah Tikva, Israel
| occupation = {{hlist|Actress|model}}
| years_active = 2004–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Jaron Varsano|2008}}
| children = 4
| website = {{URL|galgadot.com}}
| title = {{ubl|Miss Israel 2004| (Winner)|Miss Universe 2004| (Unplaced)}}
| signature = Gal Gadot signature.svg
}}
Gal Gadot ({{IPA|he|ˈɡal ɡaˈdot|pron}};{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=208qNSQTyE4 |title=Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot and Chris Pine |last=IMAX |date=15 May 2017 |via=YouTube |access-date=8 June 2017 |archive-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915185119/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=208qNSQTyE4 |url-status=live}} born 30 April 1985) is an Israeli actress. She gained recognition for portraying Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe films (2016–2023). In 2018, Gadot was named one of Time{{'}}s 100 most influential people and ranked by Forbes as the tenth-highest-paid actress, later rising to third in 2020. She became the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025.
Gadot grew up in Rosh HaAyin and first gained attention locally after winning Miss Israel 2004, followed by two years of service in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat trainer. During this time, she participated in a Maxim photo shoot that boosted her public profile, resulting in her beginning to model and endorse various brands. Shortly after, she made her television debut in the Israeli drama Bubot in 2008, followed by her film debut in a supporting role as Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious (2009), reprising it in multiple sequels.
Gadot first portrayed Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman (2016). The success of the film led to her starring in Wonder Woman (2017), which became a major box office hit. She also reprised the role in Justice League (2017) and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), the latter of which she also co-produced. Since then, she has starred in Red Notice (2021), Death on the Nile (2022), Heart of Stone (2023), which she co-produced, and portrayed the Evil Queen in Snow White (2025).
Beyond acting, Gadot and her husband have co-founded a film production company, launched a food brand, and invested in Israeli startups. She is widely celebrated in Israel as a national icon and ambassador. However, her strong support for the Israeli military and her advocacy regarding hostage crisis have sparked both praise and criticism.
Background
Gal Gadot was born on 30 April 1985{{cite news |date=30 April 2020 |title=UPI Almanac for Thursday, April 30, 2020 |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2020/04/30/UPI-Almanac-for-Thursday-April-30-2020/4051588083135/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201012133346/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2020/04/30/UPI-Almanac-for-Thursday-April-30-2020/4051588083135/ |archive-date=12 October 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020 |quote=... actor Gal Gadot in 1985 (age 35) |work=United Press International}} in Petah Tikva,{{refn|name=birthplace|group=note|Sources vary, though given the evidence, her birthplace is most likely Petah Tikva. Gadot has stated in an English-language interview that she was born in Tel Aviv,{{cite web|last=Schleier|first=Curt|title=Chatting With 'Fast Five' Star Gal Gadot|url=http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/137439/chatting-with-fast-five-star-gal-gadot/|date=2 May 2011|access-date=30 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208112038/http://blogs.forward.com/the-shmooze/137439/chatting-with-fast-five-star-gal-gadot/|archive-date=8 December 2013|website=The Jewish Forward|quote=I was born in Tel Aviv}} though Hebrew-language articles state that she was born in Petah Tikva,{{cite news|date=14 April 2018|access-date=5 April 2021|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/548639|title=כשנכנסתי לתפקיד של וונדר וומן, לא הערכתי כמה השפעה גלומה בו|language=he|trans-title=When I got into the role of "Wonder Woman", I didn't appreciate how much of an impact it had.|publisher=Israel Hayom|archive-date=5 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605052654/https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/548639|url-status=live}} and several English-language sources further support this.{{cite news|last=Nilles |first=Billy |date=30 April 2020|title=A Real-Life Wonder Woman: 35 Fascinating Facts About Gal Gadot|url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1146610/a-real-life-wonder-woman-35-fascinating-facts-about-gal-gadot|access-date=6 April 2021|agency=E!|quote=Gal Gadot was born on April 30, 1985 in Petah Tikva, Israel and raised in the neighboring city of Rosh HaAyin.|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417214254/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1146610/a-real-life-wonder-woman-35-fascinating-facts-about-gal-gadot|url-status=live}} Some have claimed that she was born in Rosh HaAyin,{{cite news |last=Halutz |first=Avshalom |date=6 December 2013 |title=Who is Gal Gadot, Hollywood's next Wonder Woman? |url=http://www.haaretz.com/culture/arts-leisure/.premium-1.562136 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002193442/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/culture/2013-12-06/ty-article/.premium/who-is-gal-gadot/0000017f-e156-d7b2-a77f-e357301c0000 |archive-date=2022-10-02 |access-date=4 January 2014 |newspaper=Haaretz}} but Gadot said that she was only raised there.}} where she initially lived.{{cite web |last=Hirschberg |first=Lynn |date=8 January 2018 |title=Gal Gadot on Wonder Woman Costumes and Her Eye-Opening Pregnancy |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMz4uYECaaA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/JMz4uYECaaA |archive-date=21 December 2021 |access-date=3 April 2021 |work=W |via=YouTube |quote=What was your first street that you lived in? First one was in Petah Tikva, which is the city, and it was Stampfer. (01:27 timestamp)}}{{cbignore}} She was born to Jewish parents of Ashkenazi descent; her mother's roots are Czech and Polish, while her father's are Austrian, Russian, and German.{{Cite web |last=Meter |first=Jonathan Van |date=2020-04-09 |title=Gal Gadot on Life, Love, Wonder Woman 1984—And How She and Her Family Are Coping With Crisis |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/gal-gadot-cover-may-2020 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}} Her parents, Michael, an engineer, and Irit, a physical education teacher,{{cite web |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |date=1 June 2017 |title=Gal Gadot's Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/06/gal-gadot-family-mother-father-sister-dana-husband-children-alma-maya/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180116101145/https://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/06/gal-gadot-family-mother-father-sister-dana-husband-children-alma-maya/ |archive-date=16 January 2018 |website=Heavy.com}}{{Cite web |date=25 June 2020 |title=Who is Gal Gadot's Sister, Dana? |work=TheThings |url=https://www.thethings.com/who-is-gal-gadots-sister-dana/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034617/https://www.thethings.com/who-is-gal-gadots-sister-dana/ |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}} hebraized their surname from "Greenstein" to "Gadot" before her birth.{{cite web |last=Scott |first=Becky |date=30 May 2017 |url=http://forward.com/schmooze/373367/have-you-been-pronouncing-gal-gadot-wrong/ |title=Have You Been Pronouncing Gal Gadot Wrong? |work=The Forward |access-date=27 May 2022 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012052559/https://forward.com/schmooze/373367/have-you-been-pronouncing-gal-gadot-wrong/ |url-status=live}} In Hebrew, her first name means "wave", and her surname translates to "riverbanks". She has a younger sister, Dana.
Her father is a sixth-generation Sabra,{{cite magazine |last=Morris |first=Alex |date=24 August 2017 |title=Gal Gadot on Becoming Wonder Woman, the Biggest Action Hero of the Year |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-on-becoming-badass-female-action-hero-w498704 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-date=21 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621043029/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-on-becoming-badass-female-action-hero-w498704 |url-status=live}} and one of his ancestors was the first chemist at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem,{{Cite web |last=Gadot |first=Gal |date=March 3, 2025 |title=Gal Gadot's Keynote Address at ADL's 2025 Never is Now Summit on Antisemitism and Hate |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/news/gal-gadots-keynote-address-adls-2025-never-now-summit-antisemitism-and-hate |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=ADL}} while her mother is a first-generation Sabra and the daughter of Holocaust survivors. Her maternal grandfather, Abraham Weiss,{{cite web |last=Wall |first=Staff |date=16 April 2015 |title=יום השואה: מפורסמים משתפים בזכרון אישי – וואלה! סלבס |trans-title=Holocaust Remembrance Day: Celebrities Share Personal Remembrance |url=http://celebs.walla.co.il/item/2846540 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730151850/https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/2846540 |archive-date=30 July 2017 |access-date=28 July 2016 |language=he}} was born as Adolf Weiss,{{Cite web |last=Avraham |first=Yifat Halali |date=April 28, 2022 |title=גל גדות משתפת: "סבא שלי הפך ליתום בן 13 |trans-title=Gal Gadot shares: "My grandfather became an orphan at the age of 13" |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2022/Article-3dc5af633ee6081027.htm |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Mako}} in the village of Munkács,{{Cite web |last=Milea |first=Holly |date=February 6, 2017 |title=Gal Gadot Breaks Into Hollywood's Major Leagues |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a13120963/gal-gadot-december-2017/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}} Czechoslovakia in 1928. At 13, when Nazi Germany invaded, his father died in the army and he, his mother, and his brother were sent to Auschwitz, where the latter two perished in the gas chamber. Gadot's maternal grandmother, however, managed to escape Europe before World War II.{{Cite web |last=Network 13 |first=Staff |date=April 23, 2017 |title=גל גדות נזכרת בסבא שלה ושולחת מסר חשוב |trans-title=Gal Gadot remembers her grandfather and sends an important message |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/celebs/news/gal-gadot-holocaust-day-252725/ |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Network 13 |language=he}} Abraham immigrated alone to Jaffa, where he built a life. He later served in the Golani Brigade, and in his later years, he joined Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expeditions to share his first hand Holocaust testimony.{{Cite web |last=Dalal |first=Yossi |date=April 18, 2023 |title=גל גדות בפוסט מרגש על סבה, ניצול השואה |trans-title=Gal Gadot in a moving post about her grandfather, a Holocaust survivor |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/13945999 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Israelhayom}}
In 1993, at the age of eight, Gadot and her family moved to the Givat Tal neighborhood of Rosh HaAyin, where she grew up,{{Cite web |title=גל גדות |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/topics/%D7%92%D7%9C_%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/46 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=ynet |language=he}} in what she described as a "very Jewish, Israeli family environment". As a child, she struggled with a weak voice and attended speech therapy, where she learned proper breathing techniques.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Caity |date=November 15, 2017 |title=The Gal Gadot Next Door |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-gal-gadot-next-door-profile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104000951/https://www.gq.com/story/the-gal-gadot-next-door-profile |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=February 1, 2025 |website=GQ |language=en-US}} Encouraged by her mother to be active from a young age, Gadot took up swimming at four and later played tennis. She joined the local volleyball and basketball teams,{{Cite news |last=Derbinsky-Tikulsker |first=Dana |date=June 13, 2008 |title=תל אביב- אל.איי |trans-title=Tel Aviv - L.A |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/article/3555247 |access-date=January 24, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} soccer-team cheerleader, and trained in ballet, hip-hop, and jazz for 12 years, at one point considering a career as a choreographer.
At 11, she visited Holocaust memorial sites in Poland to learn about Auschwitz and Majdanek. Reflecting on the experience, she recalled: "I, an entitled child, felt the suffering the Muselmann experienced back then."{{cite news |date=9 February 2004 |title=מס' 16: גל גדות |trans-title=No. 16: Gal Gadot |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2872144,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160801153522/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2872144,00.html |archive-date=1 August 2016 |access-date=28 July 2016 |newspaper=Ynet |language=he}} At 12, she was invited to enter the {{Interlanguage link|נערת השנה של מעריב לנוער|lt=Girl of the Year|he|נערת השנה של מעריב לנוער}} ({{Langx|he|{{Script/Hebrew|נערת השנה}}}}) competition but declined, initially dismissed modeling as a career, but later realized it is a fun job that makes great money and offers exciting experiences.
Although Gadot's native language is Hebrew, she started taking English lessons in third grade and became fluent when she decided she wanted to watch Seinfeld and Friends.{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=Caity |date=November 15, 2017 |title=Gal Gadot Is Reclaiming Her Accent |url=https://www.gq.com/story/the-gal-gadot-next-door-profile |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250104000951/https://www.gq.com/story/the-gal-gadot-next-door-profile |archive-date=January 4, 2025 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=GQ |language=en-US}} She later attended Begin High School, where she majored in biology. After graduating, she had a few months before beginning her mandatory two-year service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During this time, she received modeling offers but instead chose to work at Burger King, saying, "I was like, posing for money? Ugh, it's not for me." Meanwhile, her mother and a friend submitted an application on her behalf for the Miss Israel pageant. Before enlisting, she also worked as a caregiver for eight-month-old twins.
Career
=2004–2009: Miss Israel, IDF service and early work =
{{Quote box
| quote = "It wasn't my love for fashion or glamour that led me there. My enlistment [in the army] had been postponed by six months, and all my friends were already in uniform. My mother suggested I try out [Miss Israel], so I went through the selection process, met wonderful girls, and thought, 'Why not? It will be fun, and I'll get one last trip abroad before the army.' I figured it would make for a good story to tell my future grandchildren."
| source = {{mdash}}Gadot reflecting on her decision to enter the beauty pageant, via a 2008 interview with Ynet
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}}In 2004, the 54th Miss Israel beauty pageant was held at the Haifa Congress Center,{{Cite web |last=Barkai |first=Tal Cohen |date=May 5, 2020 |title=נערת ישראל הפכה לאקטיביסטית, והקימה עמותה עם חברותיה לתחרות |trans-title=Israeli girl becomes activist, establishes association with her competition friends |url=https://xnet.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5724983,00.html |access-date=January 26, 2025 |website=xnet |language=he}} where an 18-year-old Gal Gadot participated with little expectation of winning. However, the 5'10" Gadot, was crowned Miss Israel by Sivan Klein, and Yona Yahav,{{Cite news |last=ynet |date=2004-03-22 |title=הערב הגדול של גל גדות |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-2892721,00.html |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=Ynet |language=he}} and received a Citroën C3 supermini car.{{cite news |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/858131/gal-gadot-s-pageant-past-wonder-woman-star-dazzled-as-miss-israel |title=Gal Gadot's Pageant Past: Wonder Woman Star Dazzled as Miss Israel|first=Corinne|last=Heller|date=31 May 2017| publisher=E! Online|archive-date=1 February 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200201071618/https://www.eonline.com/news/858131/gal-gadot-s-pageant-past-wonder-woman-star-dazzled-as-miss-israel|url-status=live}} Following her win, Gadot represented Israel in the Miss Universe 2004 pageant in Ecuador but admitted she intentionally "rebelled" to avoid winning, arriving late to events and refusing to wear an evening gown. During an interview with Ynet, and before giving up her pageant title, Gadot highlighted the value of military service, viewing it as both a duty and a chance for personal growth.{{Cite news |last=Ben-Ari |first=Dalia |date=December 13, 2007 |title=גל גדות. הסיפור. ההצלחה |trans-title=Gal Gadot. The story. The success |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3478269,00.html |access-date=January 24, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} In 2005, a week after passing on the crown,{{cite web |date=12 April 2005 |title=״גל גדות מתגייסת״ |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/699927 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802223153/https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/699927 |archive-date=2 August 2023 |access-date=2 August 2023 |publisher=Walla |language=he}} Gadot, at 20,{{Cite web |last=Bahou |first=Olivia |date=2018-03-01 |title=What Is Gal Gadot's Nationality? Get to Know the Woman Behind Wonder Woman |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/gal-gadot-apos-nationality-know-130000909.html |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}} was conscripted into the Israel Defense Forces. After excelling in a three-month boot camp, she went on to serve as a combat trainer, teaching soldiers gymnastics and calisthenics.{{Cite web |last=Maxim |first=Staff |date=2007-09-13 |title=The Chosen Ones: Israeli Defense Forces - Maxim |url=https://www.maxim.com/women/chosen-ones-israeli-defense-forces/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Maxim |language=en-US}} Reporting daily at 5 a.m., she led soldiers through a form of boot camp. Gadot became so passionate about the techniques she learned that she eventually trained sergeants and high-ranking commanders.{{Cite web |last=Iannacci |first=Elio |date=July 25, 2016 |title=From Pageant Queen to Soldier and Now Actress, Gal Gadot on Her Role as Wonder Woman |url=https://fashionmagazine.com/flare/celebrity/gal-gadot-wonder-woman/ |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Fashion |language=en}} Gadot also trained in Krav Maga,{{cite web |last=Okusanya |first=Ibukun |date=23 March 2021 |title=5 Female Celebrities That Know Martial Arts |url=https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/1895537 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405134410/https://www.boomplay.com/buzz/1895537 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Boomplay Music |language=en}} gaining proficiency in handling weapons and preparing for combat. She completed her mandatory two-year service, of which only 20 days were in uniform.{{cite news |last=Kadmi |first=Sivan |date=1 April 2010 |title=גל גדות |trans-title=Gal Gadot |url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3868197,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914150055/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3868197,00.html |archive-date=14 September 2017 |access-date=5 December 2013 |publisher=Ynet |language=he}} Reflecting on her military experience in a 2016 interview with Fashion, Gadot said, "It was demanding because you give up your freedom for two years, but there is something special in giving back to your community."
In 2007, while still serving, 21-year-old Gadot appeared in Maxim{{'}}s "Women of the Israel Defense Forces" photo shoot,{{cite news |last1=Friedman |first1=Matti |date=21 June 2007 |title=Maxim displays beautiful IDF soldiers as part of bid to reshape Israel's image |url=https://www.pressreader.com/israel/the-jerusalem-post/20070621/281814279447625 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210404175748/https://www.pressreader.com/israel/the-jerusalem-post/20070621/281814279447625 |archive-date=4 April 2021 |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Jerusalem Post |page=7 |language=en |quote=Gal Gadot, a former Miss Israel and army fitness instructor, appears sprawled provocatively on the ledge of a Tel Aviv high-rise.}} which was later featured on the cover of the New York Post.{{Cite web |last=Jpost |first=Editorial |date=December 8, 2013 |title=Wonder Woman |url=https://m.jpost.com/opinion/editorials/wonder-woman-334279 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221165841/http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Editorials/Wonder-Woman-334279 |archive-date=2017-12-21 |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} The shoot was part of a campaign by Israel's consulate in New York, Maxim, and the Ministry of Tourism to "promote Israel, attract young American men, and reshape its public image". The campaign faced criticism, particularly from Knesset members, over the portrayal of female soldiers in bikinis.{{cite news |last1=Urquhart |first1=Conal |date=21 June 2007 |title=Women soldiers in their underwear: Israel's image boost |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/21/israel1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130831134856/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jun/21/israel1 |archive-date=31 August 2013 |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Guardian |page=21 |language=en |quote=The magazine carried the article, The Women of the Israel Defence Force, in its July issue}} Reflecting on the criticism, Gadot stated in a 2013 Forward interview, "I'm a model, not a doctor. My job is to take pictures in a bathing suit. There's nothing provocative about that."{{Cite web |last=Schleier |first=Curt |date=2011-05-02 |title=Gal Gadot Talks Growing Up In Israel & Her Controversial Maxim Photo Shoot |url=https://forward.com/schmooze/137439/chatting-with-fast-five-star-gal-gadot/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=The Forward |language=en}} After the issue was released in July 2007, the shoot significantly boosted her public profile,{{Cite web |last=Yaakov |first=Itay |date=2013-12-08 |title=וונדר וומן: איך הפכה גל גדות מדוגמנית אנונימית למלכה של הוליווד |trans-title=Wonder Woman: How Gal Gadot Went from an Unknown Model to Hollywood's Queen |url=https://xnet.ynet.co.il/fashion/articles/0,,L-3103840,00.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=xnet |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Ben-Ari |first=Dalia |date=2011-05-29 |title=איך נראתה גל גדות ברגע ההכתרה ואיזו מלכה התחילה כמלצרית מזמרת? |trans-title=How did Gal Gadot look at the moment of her coronation, and which queen started as a singing waitress? |url=https://xnet.ynet.co.il/laisha/articles/0,14961,L-3080509,00.html |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=xnet |language=he}} and as a result, she landed an international campaign for "Prada Ellis" perfume.
That same year,{{Cite web |last=Halali |first=Yifat |date=October 28, 2008 |title=תואר שני |trans-title=M.A |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local/Article-e4c4b08e7924d11004.htm |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=Mako}} she began pursuing law and international studies{{cite web |last=Hirschberg |first=Lynn |date=12 April 2017 |title=Gal Gadot Listened to Beyoncé to Prepare for Her Wonder Woman Audition |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-beyonce |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703080452/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-beyonce |archive-date=3 July 2019 |access-date=11 June 2017 |work=W}} at IDC Herzliya (now Reichman University). She attributed this decision to being "so deep", and because she "loved" Ally McBeal. After her first year, a casting director from London contacted Gadot's agent after seeing her modeling card on the agency's wall, which led her to audition for the role of Camille Montes in the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.{{Cite web |last=Riley |first=Jenelle |date=2016-03-23 |title='Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot on Her Love for the Superhero: 'She's the Perfect Woman' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/features/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-1201733976/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In a 2017 interview with W Magazine, Gadot recalled her initial reaction to the role, saying she felt "too serious and smart to be an actress" because of her studies and was not comfortable speaking in English. Her agent encouraged her to go, saying, "Just go, please, out of respect." Gadot shared that the casting director helped her, and she went through several callbacks. Although she lost the role to Olga Kurylenko, Gadot found the experience "interesting" and told her agents to let her know if any other opportunities came up that might be a better fit for her. She dropped out of IDC Herzliya,{{Cite web |last=Hyland |first=Veronique |date=2021-10-18 |title=Gal Gadot Is Unafraid to Face Industry Injustice |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a37927840/gal-gadot-women-in-hollywood-2021/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=ELLE |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |last=Rosen |first=Ayelet |date=October 30, 2013 |title=יפה לך תואר: מה לומדות הדוגמניות? |trans-title=A degree looks good on you: What do models study? |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/study-career-study/articles/Article-20acd54a6780241006.htm |access-date=April 10, 2025 |work=Mako}} and, two months later, made her acting debut in the Israeli drama Bubot. She recalled that on the first day of classes, she received a call informing her that she had landed the lead role of Miriam. She later performed in Festigal Underwater, an annual Israeli musical show for kids during Hanukkah, where she performed as a mermaid, acting, singing, and dancing.{{cite news |last1=Zaltzman |first1=Lior |date=30 November 2018 |title=Gal Gadot as a Singing Mermaid is the Best Hanukkah Present |url=https://www.heyalma.com/gal-gadot-as-a-singing-mermaid-is-the-best-hanukkah-present/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820171205/https://www.heyalma.com/gal-gadot-as-a-singing-mermaid-is-the-best-hanukkah-present/ |archive-date=20 August 2019 |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=Alma}}{{cite news |last1=Natanzon |first1=Keren |date=28 May 2008 |title=Festigal Gadot |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3549232,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530225622/http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3549232,00.html |archive-date=30 May 2008 |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=ynet |language=he |quote=There are already two contracts: one with Gal Gadot, which is her first time at the Festigal}}
Three months after her audition for Quantum of Solace, the same casting director recommended Gadot to Universal Studios and contacted her about a role in Fast & Furious.{{Cite web |last=Foundation |first=Nathanson |date=February 10, 2008 |title=וין דיזל וגל גדות יחד? |trans-title=Vin Diesel and Gal Gadot together? |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3504968,00.html |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=ynet |language=he}} She was asked to "urgently" send a filmed audition to Los Angeles, which was well received. As a result, the studio flew Gadot and her agent, the CEO of the {{Interlanguage link|סוכנות ADD|lt=Look agency|he|סוכנות ADD}} (now ADD agency), to LA for a personal meeting with Vin Diesel, the film's star, who would decide whether she got the part. Gadot was ultimately chosen over six other actresses for the supporting role of Gisele Yashar in the fourth film of the franchise.{{cite web |date=4 March 2008 |title=IGN: New Furious Babe |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/856/856634p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304144652/http://movies.ign.com/articles/856/856634p1.html |archive-date=4 March 2012 |access-date=16 March 2011 |work=IGN |publisher=Newscorp}}{{cite news |last=Amir |first=Kaminer |date=2008-02-23 |title=Gal Gadot: Too fast too furious? |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3509923,00.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425054321/http://www.israelenews.com/view.asp?ID=1194 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |access-date=16 March 2011 |publisher=Israelenews.com}}
Reflecting on the audition process, Gadot shared that she worked closely with Israeli coach {{Interlanguage link|אורית שר|lt=Orit Shar|he|אורית שר}}, preparing thoroughly and building a backstory that impressed director Justin Lin. Filming took about a month. After filming wrapped in 2008, Gadot signed with Endeavor, becoming the only Israeli represented by the agency. Later that year, she signed with ICM agency and One management.{{Cite web |last=Barangay |first=Walla! |date=December 10, 2008 |title=פעמים גל גדות - וואלה ברנז'ה |trans-title=Gal Gadot times |url=https://b.walla.co.il/item/1395983 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}} After Fast & Furious was released in 2009, Gadot reflected on her success saying, "I can't believe this happened to me..I have more luck than intelligence."{{Cite web |last=Ben-Ari |first=Avishai |last2=Peretz |first2=Shai |date=April 7, 2009 |title=הנסיכה והעדשה |trans-title=The Princess and the Lens |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/1,7340,L-3697639,00.html |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=ynet |language=he}} The role is considered her big break, earning rave reviews and cementing her status as a "Hollywood mainstay."{{Cite web |date=2016-03-24 |title=Gal Gadot, the real-life Wonder Woman of Hollywood |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/gal-gadot-the-real-life-wonder-woman-of-hollywood-449140 |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}} That same year, she made a brief appearance in the TV series Entourage{{Cite magazine |last=Lawrence |first=Derek |date=2019-04-03 |title=Before she was Wonder Woman, she was Gisele: A tribute to Gal Gadot in 'Fast & Furious' |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/04/03/fast-furious-gal-gadot-tribute/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}} in the episode titled "Amongst Friends", portraying Lisa, a date of the main character, Vincent Chase.{{Cite web |last=Siegfried |first=Yenyiyani |date=2023-08-18 |title=10 Underrated Gal Gadot Performances in Movies and TV shows |url=https://collider.com/movies-and-tv-shows-featuring-gal-gadot/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Collider |language=en}} She also appeared on the American teen drama, The Beautiful Life: TBL.{{Cite news |last=Hadad |first=Chen |date=2009-08-25 |title=חדשות טלוויזיה: גל גדות מככבת |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/television/news/2009-08-25/ty-article/0000017f-f866-d2d5-a9ff-f8eef2c40000 |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=Haaretz}}
= 2010–2016: Breakthrough as Wonder Woman =
In 2010, Gadot had small roles in the action-adventure comedy Knight and Day and the action comedy Date Night,{{Cite web |last=Cancella |first=Maju |date=2020-12-14 |title=Gal Gadot: 10 Movies You Didn't Know She Was In |url=https://screenrant.com/gal-gadot-movies-shes-in/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} which took her five days to film her scenes with Mark Wahlberg. In 2011, Gadot reprised her role as Gisele in Fast Five. Gadot explained that giving Gisele a Mossad background allowed for character development across multiple films. She believes director Lin valued her Israeli military experience and aimed to use her weapons knowledge in the role. Later that year, she appeared in the second season of the Israeli series Asfur, playing Kiki, a coffee shop owner in Amsterdam.{{cite web |last=Walls |first=Staff |date=2011-04-28 |title=גל גדות ואור גרוסמן מצטרפות ל"עספור" - וואלה תרבות |trans-title=Gal Gadot and Or Grossman join "Asfor" |url=https://e.walla.co.il/item/1818878 |accessdate=2025-01-11 |website=Walls |language=he}} In 2012, she starred the Israeli drama, Kathmandu, set in Nepal, the series follows a Chabad couple running a sanctuary for Jewish travelers.{{Cite web |last=Jpost |first=Staff |date=2024-08-27 |title=Gal Gadot's first Israeli drama series "Kathmandu" to stream worldwide on IZZY |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-816602 |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} Sources in the industry estimate that Gadot earned over NIS3,000 (approximately US$800) per day of filming.{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2012-01-15 |title=2. גל גדות |url=https://forbes.co.il/2-%D7%92%D7%9C-%D7%92%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}} In 2013, she returned to the Fast & Furious franchise, reprising her character in Fast & Furious 6,{{cite news |url=http://thinkmagazines.com/stars/get-ready-to-experience-the-wonder-of-gal-gadot/ |title=Get Ready to Experience the Wonder of Gal Gadot |date=1 June 2017 |work=Think |access-date=30 September 2017 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924034823/http://thinkmagazines.com/stars/get-ready-to-experience-the-wonder-of-gal-gadot/ |url-status=dead}} where she performed some of her own stunt work in the film.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Simone |date=2013-12-04 |title=Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman: Israeli badass takes on the boys in 'Batman vs. Superman' |url=https://jewishjournal.com/judaism/125157/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Jewish Journal |language=en-US}} In May 2013, Gadot revealed in an interview with Reshet that she was offered a role in a Disney film but turned it down due to the requirement of shaving her head. It has been speculated that the role may have been for the MCU's Nebula.{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Koimoi com |date=April 30, 2021 |title=Gal Gadot Birthday Special: Before Turning Wonder Woman For DCEU, She Almost Joined Marvel's Superheroes! |url=https://www.koimoi.com/hollywood-news/gal-gadot-birthday-special-before-turning-wonder-woman-for-dceu-she-almost-joined-marvels-superheroes/?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website={{Interlanguage link|कोईमोई|lt=Koimoiy|hi|कोईमोई}} |language=en-US}}
In November 2013, Variety reported that Gadot, along with other actresses, had tested for the role of Wonder Woman.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2013-11-08 |title=New Actresses Test for 'Batman vs. Superman'…as Wonder Woman? (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/batman-superman-1200665552/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} In December 2013, Gadot was confirmed for the role in the untitled Batman v Superman movie alongside Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, directed by Zack Snyder.{{cite magazine |date=4 December 2013 |title=Gal Gadot to Play Wonder Woman in 'Batman vs. Superman' |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-batman-vs-superman-1200918310/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205155028/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-batman-vs-superman-1200918310/ |archive-date=5 December 2013 |access-date=4 December 2013 |magazine=Variety}}{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |date=4 December 2013 |title=Gal Gadot To Play Wonder Woman In 'Batman Vs. Superman' Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/newcomer-gal-gadot-set-for-wonder-woman-in-batman-vs-superman-646905/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034615/https://deadline.com/2013/12/newcomer-gal-gadot-set-for-wonder-woman-in-batman-vs-superman-646905/ |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=4 December 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} The contract for her portrayal of Wonder Woman was managed by her then-agent, ADD agency, which represented Gadot both in Israel and internationally.{{Cite news |last=Arzuan |first=Shai |date=2013-12-12 |title=גל גדות על תפקיד וונדר-וומן: "מרגש מאוד" |trans-title=Gal Gadot on the role of Wonder Woman: "Very exciting" |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4464730,00.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite news |last=Arzuan |first=Shay |date=2013-12-04 |title=Gal Gadot cast as Wonder Woman |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4461538,00.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |work=Ynetnews |language=en}} She left the agency in 2019 on good terms.{{Cite news |last=Toker |first=Nati |date=April 29, 2019 |title=אחרי יותר מעשור: גל גדות עזבה את סוכנות ADD |trans-title=After more than a decade: Gal Gadot leaves ADD agency |url=https://www.themarker.com/advertising/2019-04-29/ty-article/0000017f-e780-df2c-a1ff-ffd1eece0000 |access-date=April 7, 2025 |work=TheMarker}} Reflecting on her audition for the role in a 2016 Variety interview, Gadot described the process as "super intensive, nerve-racking, a long roller coaster". While in Los Angeles, Warner Bros. invited her to audition for an undisclosed role with Snyder. Later, her agent informed her that she would be testing with Affleck. She eventually scored the role.
Before landing the role, Gadot shared her frustration with the constant rejection she faced while auditioning in Los Angeles. In a Sunday Today interview with Willie Geist, she said, "There's so much no," explaining that after a few Fast & Furious films, she considered quitting acting, feeling discouraged and as though she was dragging her family along. She also explained that acting was not something she had dreamed of as a child. Instead, the opportunity came to her, saying, "I started to become more curious about it, and then I fell in love with the profession."{{Cite web |last=Petit |first=Stephanie |date=November 19, 2017 |title=Gal Gadot Almost Quit Acting Before Wonder Woman |url=https://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-almost-quit-acting-wonder-woman/ |access-date=2024-01-14 |website=People |language=en}} In a similar reflection during a The Hollywood Reporter interview, Gadot said she struggled to gain traction, saying, "I had so many almosts for big, great things, but I was never big enough of a name." She recalled being the runner-up for the role of Imperator Furiosa, which ultimately went to Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015), explaining, "It was always me and the big name."{{Cite web |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=6 September 2017 |title='Awards Chatter' Podcast — Gal Gadot ('Wonder Woman') |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/awards-chatter-podcast-gal-gadot-wonder-woman-1035688/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Desta |first=Yohana |date=8 September 2017 |title=The Pre-Wonder Woman Roles That Almost Made Gal Gadot a Star |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/09/gal-gadot-roles-before-wonder-woman |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}
In June 2014, she signed a three-picture deal with Warner Bros. to appear as Wonder Woman, reportedly earning $300,000 per film.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2014-01-23 |title='Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot Signs Three-Picture Deal with Warner Bros. |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-signs-three-picture-deal-with-warner-bros-1201067961/ |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}File:Gal_Gadot_SDCC_2014.jpg in July 2014 for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice at the San Diego Convention Center.]]
In July 2014, Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman was unveiled at Comic-Con during the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice panel. Some critics argued Gadot’s Israeli background and slim frame made her unfit to play the part. Gadot dismissed the backlash. Despite prior criticism of her physique, she stated that she had trained to build muscle for the role, moving beyond her previous Fast & Furious image.{{Cite news |last=Betancourt |first=David |date=2014-07-26 |title=COMIC-CON 2014: 3 Takeaways from Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman reveal for 'Batman vs. Superman' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2014/07/26/comic-con-2014-3-takeaways-from-gal-gadots-wonder-woman-reveal-for-batman-vs-superman/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |newspaper=Washington Post}} To prepare, she took lessons in swordsmanship, Kung Fu, kickboxing, capoeira and Brazilian jiu-jitsu,{{Cite web |last=Blackburn |first=Nicky |date=2017-06-04 |title=14 things you didn't know about Gal Gadot |url=https://www.israel21c.org/14-things-you-didnt-know-about-gal-gadot/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=ISRAEL21c |language=en-US}} gaining 17 pounds of muscle. She also explained that she "trained six hours a day for six months—two hours of gym work, two hours of fight choreography, and up to two hours of horseback riding. It was much more intense than the army."{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Lara |date=2019-05-13 |title=11 surprising things you didn't know about Gal Gadot |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/gal-gadot-things-you-didnt-know-2019-5 |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}} That same year, Gadot landed her first Israeli film role in the comedy Kicking Out Shoshana, playing lead character Mirit Ben-Harush.{{Cite news |last=ארזואן |first=שי |date=2013-11-27 |title=חגיגת אהבה: גל גדות ואנחל בונני רומנטים |trans-title=A celebration of love: Gal Gadot and Angel Bonini are romantic |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4458594,00.html |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=Ynet |language=he}} Later that year, she was offered the lead role in the Hollywood remake of Ben-Hur (2016) but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with Batman v Superman.{{Cite news |last=שירם |first=מתן |date=2014-11-02 |title=גל גדות תיאלץ לוותר על השתתפותה בסרט ההוליוודי "בן חור" |url=https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1000983071 |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=Globes}}
Prior to her debut as Wonder Woman, Gadot revealed she had previously been offered the role of Faora-Ul in Man of Steel (2013), but turned it down due to her pregnancy, leading to Antje Traue being cast instead.{{Cite web |last=Orange |first=B. Alan |date=18 September 2015 |title=Man of Steel Originally Wanted Gal Gadot for This Key Character |url=https://movieweb.com/man-of-steel-gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518010608/https://movieweb.com/man-of-steel-gal-gadot/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=18 May 2023 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}{{cite news |last=Doran |first=Michael |date=27 December 2013 |title=Gal Gadot Responds to Being 'Too Skinny' for Wonder Woman |url=http://www.newsarama.com/19905-gal-gadot-responds-to-being-too-skinny-for-wonder-woman.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304001213/http://www.newsarama.com/19905-gal-gadot-responds-to-being-too-skinny-for-wonder-woman.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=24 February 2016 |publisher=Newsarama}}{{Cite web |title=גל גדות: "כל פספוס הוא בסדר. מה שצריך לקרות קורה, ומה שלא - לא" |url=https://xnet.ynet.co.il/laisha/articles/0,14961,L-3110512,00.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=xnet |language=he}} In 2016, Gadot officially debuted as Wonder Woman in the superhero film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Gadot's performance as the superhero, the character's first film appearance, was singled out by The Guardian as one of the film's best parts.{{cite news |last1=Russell |first1=Scarlett |date=27 March 2016 |title=Wonder Woman reborn: how she stole limelight from Batman and Superman |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/27/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-batman-v-superman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518190856/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/mar/27/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-batman-v-superman |archive-date=18 May 2021 |access-date=1 April 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian}} Her portrayal of Wonder Woman quickly became a defining role in her career, with critics praising her for bringing strength, grace, and a refreshing depth to the character. Critics particularly noted how she brought a strong sense of empowerment and integrity to the role, setting a new standard for female superheroes in mainstream cinema.{{Cite web |title=Gal Gadot Was Not 'Booted' from Wonder Woman Role, James Gunn Clarifies |url=https://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-was-not-booted-from-wonder-woman-role-says-james-gunn/ |access-date=5 December 2024|website=People |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105011506/https://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-was-not-booted-from-wonder-woman-role-says-james-gunn/ |archive-date= 5 January 2023}}
She then had a small role in John Hillcoat's crime-thriller Triple 9, where she starred along with Kate Winslet and Aaron Paul.{{cite web |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |url=https://deadline.com/2014/02/open-road-acquires-domestic-on-triple-nine-michael-b-jordan-aaron-paul-gal-gadot-michael-pena-join-killer-cast-677756/ |title=Open Road Acquires Domestic On 'Triple 9'; Michael B. Jordan, Aaron Paul, Gal Gadot, Michael Pena Join Killer Cast|website=Deadline |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014 |archive-date=29 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034617/https://deadline.com/2014/02/open-road-acquires-domestic-on-triple-nine-michael-b-jordan-aaron-paul-gal-gadot-michael-pena-join-killer-cast-677756/ |url-status=live}} Later that year, she co-starred in the action crime thriller film Criminal, as the wife of Ryan Reynolds' character, alongside Kevin Costner, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones.{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |date=12 August 2014 |title=Wonder Woman Actress Gal Gadot Joins Kevin Costner in 'Criminal' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-actress-gal-gadot-725074 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034653/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-turns-big-name-heroes-724915 |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=29 September 2014 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter}} She described the film as the most challenging project she had done to date. Her final film of the year was the action comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses, in which she played a secret agent, alongside Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, and Isla Fisher.{{cite news |title=On the Set for 4/20/15: Michael Bay Starts TMNT Sequel, Gal Gadot Begins Keeping Up With the Joneses, Natalie Dormer Wraps Shooting on Patient Zero |url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-42015-michael-bay-starts-tmnt-sequel-gal-gadot-begins-keeping-up-with-the-joneses-natalie-dormer-wraps-shooting-on-patient-zero/ |publisher=ssninsider.com |date=20 April 2015 |access-date=27 April 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423153542/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-42015-michael-bay-starts-tmnt-sequel-gal-gadot-begins-keeping-up-with-the-joneses-natalie-dormer-wraps-shooting-on-patient-zero/ |archive-date=23 April 2015}} Critic Alex Welch wrote on IGN about Gadot's performance: "the script unfortunately banks mostly on her looks and deadly skills as a spy for her jokes, but Gadot manages to make it work."{{Cite web |last=Welch |first=Alex |date=2016-10-20 |title=Keeping Up with the Joneses Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/20/keeping-up-with-the-joneses-review |access-date=2024-02-07 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=7 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240207022706/https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/20/keeping-up-with-the-joneses-review |url-status=live}}
= 2017–2020: ''Wonder Woman'' solo films and production ventures =
File:Wonder Woman' film premiere (2017).jpg, Chris Pine, Gadot, director Patty Jenkins, Elena Anaya, and Robin Wright.]]
In 2017, Gadot starred in a solo film for her character, Wonder Woman, which was paid $300,000. This figure sparked some controversy, as it was significantly lower than the salaries commanded by many male action stars in Hollywood.{{cite web |last=Sales |first=Nancy Jo |date=13 October 2020 |title=Gal Gadot Is in a League of Her Own |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/gal-gadot-is-in-a-league-of-her-own |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034705/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/10/gal-gadot-is-in-a-league-of-her-own |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=27 December 2020 |website=Vanity Fair}} However, the film received a positive response from critics, with some calling it the best installment in the DC Extended Universe. Praise was directed at Patty Jenkins's direction, the chemistry between Gadot and Chris Pine, the musical score, and the thrilling action sequences.{{cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=May 30, 2017 |title=Wonder Woman review roundup – Critics conclude Patty Jenkins' film better than Batman v Superman |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/wonder-woman-review-roundup-critics-dc-superman-batman-a7762471.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530111818/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/wonder-woman-review-roundup-critics-dc-superman-batman-a7762471.html |archive-date=2017-05-30 |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Independent}}{{cite web |last=Rahman |first=Abid |date=2017-05-29 |title='Wonder Woman': What the Critics Are Saying |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-critics-roundup-1008407 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170530073204/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-critics-roundup-1008407 |archive-date=2017-05-30 |access-date=2025-01-07 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Due to her former service in the IDF, the film has been banned in Lebanon, Kuwait, Jordan, and in several other Middle Eastern countries.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-17 |title=Wonder Woman kindles controversy in the Arab world |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20170617-wonder-woman-kindles-controversy-arab-world |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426062143/https://www.france24.com/en/20170617-wonder-woman-kindles-controversy-arab-world |archive-date=26 April 2023 |access-date=2024-01-20 |website=France 24 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Zilko |first=Christian |date=2022-02-10 |title='Death on the Nile' Banned in Lebanon and Kuwait Over Gal Gadot's Israeli Background |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/death-on-the-nile-banned-in-lebanon-and-kuwait-gal-gadot-1234698357/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806083445/https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/death-on-the-nile-banned-in-lebanon-and-kuwait-gal-gadot-1234698357/ |archive-date=6 August 2023 |access-date=2023-08-06 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}} She then reprised the role in the ensemble film Justice League, which was released in November 2017, and was her third DC Extended Universe installment.{{cite news |url=http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/gal-gadot-cast-as-wonder-woman-comics-world-reacts-on-twitter/#/0 |title=Gal Gadot cast as Wonder Woman: Comics world reacts on Twitter |date=5 December 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=8 May 2023 |archive-date=15 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515131548/http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/gal-gadot-cast-as-wonder-woman-comics-world-reacts-on-twitter/#/0 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Begley |first=Chris |title=Gal Gadot signed a 3-movie deal as Wonder Woman (video) |date=22 January 2014 |url=http://batman-news.com/2014/01/22/gal-gadot-signed-3-movie-deal-wonder-woman-video/ |publisher=Batman News |access-date=22 January 2014 |archive-date=9 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609155027/http://batman-news.com/2014/01/22/gal-gadot-signed-3-movie-deal-wonder-woman-video/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title='Wonder Woman' Gal Gadot Signs Three-Picture Deal with Warner Bros. |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-signs-three-picture-deal-with-warner-bros-1201067961/ |newspaper=Variety |access-date=23 January 2014 |archive-date=23 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140123212617/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-signs-three-picture-deal-with-warner-bros-1201067961/ |url-status=live}} During the film's production under director Joss Whedon, she alleged that Whedon verbally abused her and "threatened" her career. In response, she stated in an interview that she took the matter to the heads of Warner Bros., who "took care of it".{{Cite web |last=Hyland |first=Véronique |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Gal Gadot Is Unafraid to Face Industry Injustice |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a37927840/gal-gadot-women-in-hollywood-2021/ |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=Elle |language=en-US}}
That same year, Gadot was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-academy-new-members-20170628-story.html |title=Motion picture academy opens its doors to 774 new members as push for diversity continues |first=Josh |last=Rottenberg |date=28 June 2017 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=29 December 2020 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128123826/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-academy-new-members-20170628-story.html |url-status=live}} Gadot then voiced the character Shank, who was modeled after her, in the Walt Disney Animation Studios film, Ralph Breaks the Internet.{{cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |date=10 August 2018 |title=Gal Gadot Joins 'Ralph Breaks The Internet' |url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/gal-gadot-buckles-up-for-disneys-ralph-breaks-the-internet-1202443693/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810173706/https://deadline.com/2018/08/gal-gadot-buckles-up-for-disneys-ralph-breaks-the-internet-1202443693/ |archive-date=10 August 2018 |access-date=10 August 2018}}{{Cite web |last=Cancella |first=Maju |date=2020-11-20 |title=Wreck-It Ralph 2: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Gal Gadot's Break The Internet Role |url=https://screenrant.com/wreck-it-ralph-2-things-you-didnt-know-about-gal-gadot-shank-role/ |access-date=2025-04-07 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}} The film's co-director, Phil Johnston, praised Gadot's performance. In 2018, appeared in the music video for Maroon 5's song "Girls Like You" featuring Cardi B.{{Cite news |title=WATCH – Gal Gadot: Music video star |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Gal-Gadot-Music-video-star-558823 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034719/https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Gal-Gadot-Music-video-star-558823 |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=31 May 2018 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} In January 2020, National Geographic announced Impact with Gal Gadot. The six-part documentary series, executive produced by Gadot and her husband, highlights young women overcoming poverty, violence, and discrimination to create positive change in their communities,{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2020-01-17 |title=Gal Gadot To Exec Produce Short-Form Doc Series For Nat Geo – TCA |url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/gal-gadot-nat-geo-short-form-documentary-series-imagine-1202834407/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Kristen |date=2021-02-09 |title='Impact': Gal Gadot Accepts Her Privilege and Wants to Use It For Nat Geo's New Series |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/nat-geo-gal-gadot-impact-1234615852/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}} premiered in April 2021 across National Geographic's digital and social platforms.{{Cite web |last=Rosario |first=Alexandra Del |date=2021-02-09 |title='Impact' Gets Premiere Date, EP Gal Gadot Praises Real & Resilient "Women Of Wonder" In Docu-Series |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/impact-gal-gadot-national-geographic-real-resilient-women-of-wonder-1234690429/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Gadot returned as Wonder Woman in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020), for which she reportedly earned $10 million. The sequel to her 2017 solo film was released on 25 December 2020, both in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2020-11-24 |title='Wonder Woman 1984' Sets Global Release Dates |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/box-office/wonder-woman-release-dates-1234839350/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} The film received praise for Gadot's performance and the visual effects; however, it garnered mixed reviews from critics, with some finding the plot overly complex and less impactful than the first film.{{Cite web |last=Kain |first=Erik |title='Wonder Woman 1984' Review: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2020/12/30/wonder-woman-1984-review-gal-gadot-pedro-pascal-kristen-wiig-good-bad-ugly/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Brockes |first=Emma |date=2021-01-04 |title=Wonder Woman 1984 is a smug, dishonest let-down. How very 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/04/wonder-woman-1984-2020-patty-jenkins |access-date=2025-01-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
= 2021–present: Streaming projects =
In November 2021, Gadot starred alongside Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds in the Netflix action comedy film Red Notice, written and directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/dwayne-johnson-gal-gadot-ryan-reynolds-red-notice-netflix-rawson-marshall-thurber-1202643002/|title=Netflix Takes Red Notice, Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot|last=Fleming|first=Mike|work=Deadline|date=8 July 2019|access-date=7 February 2020|archive-date=13 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201013060549/https://deadline.com/2019/07/dwayne-johnson-gal-gadot-ryan-reynolds-red-notice-netflix-rawson-marshall-thurber-1202643002/|url-status=live}} The Guardian, in its review, opined that Gadot was "sleepwalking through the motions" and was "adept only when fighting".{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Benjamin |date=2021-11-04 |title=Red Notice review – Netflix's biggest film to date offers little reward |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/04/red-notice-review-netflix-biggest-film-to-date-offers-little-reward |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520053613/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/nov/04/red-notice-review-netflix-biggest-film-to-date-offers-little-reward |url-status=live}} The film, however became Netflix's most-watched film ever, as reported by Bloomberg. The film has over 328 million hours streamed in its first three weeks. This equates to 164 million accounts watching it in full, making it the most-watched new movie of 2021.{{Cite news |date=2021-12-05 |title=Netflix Makes the Most Movies in Hollywood. It Wants to Make the Best. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-12-05/-red-notice-is-netflix-s-biggest-movie-ever-critics-don-t-get-why |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804075017/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2021-12-05/-red-notice-is-netflix-s-biggest-movie-ever-critics-don-t-get-why |archive-date=4 August 2023 |access-date=2024-02-07 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}
The following year, she co-starred with Kenneth Branagh, Armie Hammer, Ali Fazal, Tom Bateman, and Annette Bening in the 2022 mystery film Death on the Nile, which was also directed by Branagh.{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/black-widow-cruella-disney-plus-theaters-day-and-date-release-1234720116/ |title='Black Widow' & 'Cruella' To Release Same Day On Disney+ And In Theatres|quote=Death on the Nile on 11 February 11, 2022 (from 17 September 2021) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323183840/https://deadline.com/2021/03/black-widow-cruella-disney-plus-theaters-day-and-date-release-1234720116/ |website=Deadline|url-status=live |date=23 March 2021 |archive-date=23 March 2021 |access-date=23 March 2021}} Los Angeles Times'
In 2023, Gadot made uncredited cameo appearances as Wonder Woman in Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash.{{Cite magazine |last=Travis |first=Emlyn |date=2023-03-11 |title=Shazam! director reacts to new ad's huge DCU cameo spoiler: 'Maybe don't be online or watch TV' |url=https://ew.com/movies/shazam-director-reacts-new-ad-dcu-cameo-spoiler-wonder-woman-gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312003719/https://ew.com/movies/shazam-director-reacts-new-ad-dcu-cameo-spoiler-wonder-woman-gal-gadot/ |archive-date=2023-03-12 |access-date=2023-03-26 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Tartaglione |first2=Nancy |date=2023-04-26 |title='The Flash' First Public Screening At CinemaCon: Theatre Owners React|url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-flash-cinemacon-screening-theater-owners-react-ezra-miller-1235337350/ |access-date=2023-04-27 |website=Deadline |language=en |archive-date=27 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427014110/https://deadline.com/2023/04/the-flash-cinemacon-screening-theater-owners-react-ezra-miller-1235337350/ |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Vito Oddo |first=Marco |date=2023-06-15 |title=Every Cameo in 'The Flash' Explained |url=https://collider.com/the-flash-movie-cameos/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Collider |language=en |archive-date=16 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230616045527/https://collider.com/the-flash-movie-cameos/ |url-status=live}} She also returned to the Fast & Furious franchise with a cameo appearance in Fast X.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Angelique |date=2023-05-19 |title='Fast X' Brings Back [SPOILERS] in Not One, but Two Major Cameos |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/fast-x-dwayne-johnson-gal-gadot-post-credits-cameos-1235468697/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Variety |language=en |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601162209/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/fast-x-dwayne-johnson-gal-gadot-post-credits-cameos-1235468697/ |url-status=live}} Later that year, she was offered the role of Barbie in Barbie, but she was unavailable.{{Cite web |last=Aguirre |first=Abby |date=2023-05-24 |title=Barbiemania! Margot Robbie Opens Up About the Movie Everyone's Waiting For |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/margot-robbie-barbie-summer-cover-2023-interview |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Winer |first=Stuart |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Gal Gadot was first choice to play Barbie, but wasn't available |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gal-gadot-was-first-choice-to-play-barbie-but-wasnt-available/amp/ |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=The Times of Israel}} Later that year, she played the lead role of a double agent in Netflix's action film Heart of Stone.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2 December 2020 |title=Gal Gadot female 007 Heart Of Stone Skydance Media global franchise |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/gal-gadot-heart-of-stone-female-007-skydance-media-spy-franchise-1234636427/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034645/https://deadline.com/2020/12/gal-gadot-heart-of-stone-female-007-skydance-media-spy-franchise-1234636427/ |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=3 December 2020 |work=Deadline}} This film is Gadot and her husband's first project developed and produced through their company, Pilot Wave, which they began developing in 2018. She called it an "extremely empowering and educational experience".{{Cite web |last=Kiczales |first=Yishai |date=March 8, 2023 |title=Ahead of new Netflix launch, Gal Gadot shares thoughts on her career |url=https://www.israelhayo.com/2023/08/03/sometimes-i-ask-myself-how-is-all-of-this-happening-to-me/ |access-date=March 16, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=en-US}} The film however, received mostly negative reviews, with Owen Gleiberman stating: "Gadot is game, but there's a slightly downbeat earnestness about her that doesn't mesh with the reflexive quippiness of the dialogue."{{Cite web |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |date=2023-08-11 |title='Heart of Stone' Review: Gal Gadot Plays a Rogue Agent in a Joyless Thriller That's All Rote Logistics |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/heart-of-stone-review-gal-gadot-jamie-dornan-1235691863/ |access-date=2023-08-17 |website=Variety |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817194225/https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/heart-of-stone-review-gal-gadot-jamie-dornan-1235691863/ |url-status=live}} Despite negative reception, the film emerged as Netflix's second-most-watched film in the second half of 2023, with nearly 110 million views.{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=23 May 2024 |title='Leave the World Behind' Tops All Netflix Viewing for Second Half of 2023 With 121 Million Views, 'One Piece' Leads TV With 71.6 Million Views |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-viewing-report-second-half-2023-leave-the-world-behind-one-piece-1236014708/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524032340/https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/netflix-viewing-report-second-half-2023-leave-the-world-behind-one-piece-1236014708/ |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |access-date=25 May 2024 |magazine=Variety}}
Gadot next starred as the Evil Queen in a live-action adaptation of Disney's 1937 animated film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.{{cite news|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/snow-white-gal-gadot-evil-queen-disneys-latest-1234867535/|title=Gal Gadot to Play Evil Queen In Disney's Live-Action 'Snow White'|work=Deadline|date=3 November 2021|access-date=4 November 2021|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104224342/https://deadline.com/2021/11/snow-white-gal-gadot-evil-queen-disneys-latest-1234867535/|archive-date=4 November 2021}} In an interview with GQ, she recalled "It was the first time I had to audition for a project in a while, Disney needed to ensure I could sing because it's a musical. So I worked on the song for a month, auditioned, filmed the song, and then I got the role. It was very exciting."{{Cite web |last=Dabi |first=Michal |date=August 13, 2023 |title="זו הייתה הפעם הראשונה מזה זמן מה שהייתי צריכה לעשות אודישן": גל גדות חוזרת לשיר |trans-title=This was the first time in a while that I had to audition": Gal Gadot returns to singing |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/cinema/mfdro-903665261/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Channel 13 |language=he}} She also had her own personal dialect coach for the role.{{Cite news |last=Hennigan |first=Adrian |title='Snow White' fueled controversy, Gal Gadot channeled Netanyahu. The movie is still boring |url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/film/2025-03-24/ty-article-magazine/.premium/snow-white-fueled-controversy-gal-gadot-channeled-netanyahu-the-movie-is-still-boring/00000195-c301-d469-a595-db9dc4590000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250326014454/https://www.haaretz.com/life/film/2025-03-24/ty-article-magazine/.premium/snow-white-fueled-controversy-gal-gadot-channeled-netanyahu-the-movie-is-still-boring/00000195-c301-d469-a595-db9dc4590000 |archive-date=2025-03-26 |access-date=2025-04-05 |work=Haaretz.com |language=en}} In August 2024, calls from pro-Palestinian activists to boycott Disney's Snow White remake emerged due to Gadot's support for Israel.{{Cite web |date=14 August 2024 |title=Snow White film faces anti-Israel boycott calls targeting Gal Gadot |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/snow-white-film-faces-anti-israel-boycott-calls-targeting-gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913010158/https://www.timesofisrael.com/snow-white-film-faces-anti-israel-boycott-calls-targeting-gal-gadot/ |archive-date=2024-09-13 |access-date=2024-09-19 |website=The Times of Israel}}{{Cite news |last=Fink |first=Rachel |date=2024-08-15 |title=Disney's 'Snow White' Remake Sparks Boycott Calls Over Gal Gadot's Casting and Co-star's pro-Palestinian Stance |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-08-15/ty-article/.premium/snow-white-sparks-boycott-calls-over-gal-gadot-casting-co-stars-pro-palestinian-stance/00000191-5592-d2c7-a9bf-7dbbb1750000 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919145035/https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-08-15/ty-article/.premium/snow-white-sparks-boycott-calls-over-gal-gadot-casting-co-stars-pro-palestinian-stance/00000191-5592-d2c7-a9bf-7dbbb1750000 |archive-date=2024-09-19 |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=Haaretz}}{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=2024-08-25 |title=Bad apple? How Disney's Snow White remake turned sour |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/aug/25/snow-white-israel-gaza-rachel-zegler-gal-gadot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919145033/https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/aug/25/snow-white-israel-gaza-rachel-zegler-gal-gadot |archive-date=2024-09-19 |access-date=2024-09-19 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} In March 2025, it was reported that Disney assigned bodyguards to Gadot after she received death threats linked to co-star Rachel Zegler's "Free Palestine" post during Snow White{{'}}s promotional campaign.{{Cite web |last=Mandell |first=Sean |date=2025-03-26 |title=Disney beefed up Gal Gadot's security after she got death threats: report |url=https://nypost.com/2025/03/25/entertainment/disney-beefed-up-gal-gadots-security-after-she-got-death-threats-report/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |language=en-US}} Gadot's performance in the film was polarizing; some felt it showcased her potential as a villain, while others argued she lacked the charisma and menace needed for the role. Her rendition of the song "All Is Fair" drew particular criticism for its awkward delivery and lack of vocal strength, which undercut the intended impact of the character.{{Cite web |last=Zachary |first=Brandon |date=2025-03-25 |title=In Defense Of Gal Gadot's Snow White Performance |url=https://screenrant.com/snow-white-gal-gadot-performance-defense-op-ed/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=McHenry |first=Jackson |date=2025-03-25 |title=Gal Gadot’s Snow White Song Is a Remarkable Anti-Performance |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/gal-gadots-snow-white-song-is-a-remarkable-anti-performance.html |access-date=2025-05-20 |website=Vulture |language=en}}
Other endeavors
= Endorsements and modeling =
Before enlisting in the Israeli army, she worked briefly as a model in Milan. She then returned to Israel and continued modeling while serving in the military.{{Cite web |last=La'Isha |date=April 13, 2008 |title=גל גדות מכורה לדיגי (צפו בווידאו ותגלו מה זה) |trans-title=Gal Gadot is Addicted to Digi (Watch the Video to Find Out What It Is) |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/article/3529698 |access-date=April 10, 2025 |website=ynet |language=he}} In 2007, following the Maxim "Women of the Israel Defense Forces" photoshoot, Gadot's public image gained significant attention, leading her to promote various products, appear in numerous advertisements, and feature in several magazines. She first landed an international campaign for Prada Ellis perfume. She then became a spokesmodel for the Israeli clothing brand Castro,{{Cite web |last=Sror |first=Adam |date=2007-12-05 |title=הפרזנטורית החדשה של קסטרו - וואלה אופנה |trans-title=Castro's new presenter |url=https://fashion.walla.co.il/item/1205510 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=וואלה |language=he}} a role she held for over 11 seasons, reportedly earning about $100,000 per season. In 2010, Gadot walked the runway for Castro's summer collection fashion show at Tel Aviv Port.{{Cite news |last=Crystal |first=Meirav |date=February 7, 2010 |title=קסטרו קיץ 2010: מה בקולקציה וכמה זה יעלה לנו |trans-title=Castro Summer 2010: What's in the Collection and How Much Will It Cost Us? |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3845371,00.html |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}}
After welcoming her first child in 2012, she returned to the runway for Castro's annual fashion show that year.{{Cite web |last=Halali |first=Yifat |date=February 20, 2012 |title=יותר חם באפליקציהלהורדה |trans-title=The thinnest thing there is: Gal Gadot is back on |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local/Article-2905707d8e99531006.htm |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Mako}} The following year, after promoting Fast & Furious 6, she once again graced the runway for Castro's winter collection.{{Cite news |last=Arzuan |first=Shai |date=August 11, 2013 |title=חורפי ועדכני: גל גדות צועדת על המסלול |trans-title=Wintery and Trendy: Gal Gadot Walks the Runway |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4416332,00.html |access-date=March 6, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} In 2015, she walked for Castro's "Hipster Shanty" summer collection.{{Cite web |last=Greenbaum |first=Joe M. |date=February 1, 2015 |title=שוב על המסלול: גל גדות חושפת את הטרנדים לקיץ בתצוגת האופנה של קסטרו |trans-title=Mega Chic: Castro's Summer 2015 Show Revealed the "Hipster Shanty" |url=https://timeout.co.il/%D7%9E%D7%92%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%A7-%D7%AA%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%92%D7%AA-%D7%A7%D7%A1%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%95-%D7%90%D7%91%D7%99%D7%91-%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%A5-2015-%D7%97%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%94-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%94/ |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=TimeOut |language=he-IL}} In 2013, Castro CEO Gabi Rotter noted that Gadot was not widely known when she was chosen but was the "perfect fit to represent Israeli beauty". He cited her background as both an IDF soldier and a beauty pageant contestant as key factors in her selection, following in the footsteps of Israeli models like Yael Abecassis and Sendi Bar.
In December 2013, Gadot signed a two-year contract with the Israeli skincare company Carline. According to Ofer Yaar from the advertising agency Bruckner Neta Yaar, Gadot was selected as the spokesmodel because she embodies the brand's values, being "local and international, she exudes simplicity and accessibility, and she is your best friend, even when she is Wonder Woman." In 2015 she became the face of Gucci Bamboo.{{Cite web |last=Fields |first=Jackie |date=July 16, 2015 |title=Wonder Woman Gal Gadot shares her beauty secrets |url=https://people.com/style/see-wonder-woman-gal-gadot-sizzle-as-the-face-of-gucci-bamboo-spoiler-she-plays-piano-in-the-buff/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=People.com |language=en}} In 2018, Reebok announced an endorsement deal with Gadot, reported to be worth $10 million (NIS 34 million).{{Cite web |author=ToI Staff |date=March 15, 2018 |title=Gal Gadot announces sponsorship deal with Reebok said worth $10m |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gal-gadot-announces-sponsorship-deal-with-reebok-said-to-be-worth-10-million/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}} She also became a brand ambassador for Huawei, which led to controversy after she tweeted a promotional video using an Apple device. Gadot explained that the mistake was made by a member of her publicity team, who posted the video from the wrong phone.{{Cite web |last=Winer |first=Stuart Winer |date=April 26, 2018 |title=Gal Gadot tweets ad for Android from iPhone |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gal-gadot-tweets-ad-to-android-from-iphone/ |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}}
File:Gal Gadot for Revlon 5.jpg
Additionally, Revlon recognized Gadot's influence, naming her the global ambassador for their "Live Boldly" campaign.{{Cite web |date=2018-01-09 |title=Gal Gadot just scored her first major beauty contract |url=https://www.ellecanada.com/beauty/makeup-and-nails/gal-gadot-just-scored-her-first-major-beauty-contract |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=ELLE Canada Magazine {{!}} Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle Trends & Celebrity News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Briones |first=Isis |date=2018-01-16 |title=Revlon's Latest Award Is Causing Controversy on Social Media |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/muslim-girl-amani-al-khatahtbeh-revlon-changemaker-award |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}} Revlon's global brand president, Anne Talley, praised Gadot as a symbol of "feminine strength and beauty", aligning with the campaign's message of empowerment and inclusivity.{{Cite web |last=Quinn |first=Rachel Krause,Cat |date=January 9, 2018 |title=Wonder Woman Has A New Job — & It Couldn't Be More Perfect |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/01/187412/gal-gadot-red-lipstick-feminist-revlon |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=Refinery29 |language=en}} Fabian Garcia, Revlon's President & CEO, emphasized that Gadot represent "the beauty, determination and attitude that reflect what it is for women to live boldly in today's world".{{Cite web |last=Kaliviotis |first=Chrisanthi |title=Revlon Name A Wonder Woman As Their New Ambassador |url=https://graziamagazine.com/articles/revlon-name-wonder-woman-new-ambassador/ |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=Grazia |language=en-US}} However, Gadot's association with the brand sparked criticism, notably from Muslim blogger Amani Al-Khatahtbeh, who rejected Revlon's "Changemaker Award" due to Gadot's support for the IDF.{{Cite web |last=Bachner |first=Michael |date=January 18, 2018 |title=US Muslim blogger turns down Revlon award over Gal Gadot role |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/american-muslim-blogger-turns-down-revlon-award-over-gal-gadot-role/ |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}}
In 2019, Gadot starred in commercials alongside Hot's popular stars, promoting the brand's "Israeli pride" campaign. Hot CEO Tal Granot-Goldstein described her as the perfect fit, embodying the essence of "Israeliness" for the new campaign.{{Cite web |last=Spiro |first=Amy |date=April 18, 2019 |title=Gal Gadot signs on as face of TV provider HOT |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/gal-gadot-signs-on-as-face-of-tv-provider-hot-587129 |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} In 2021, she became the brand ambassador for Smartwater, a division of Coca-Cola.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Hannah |date=April 18, 2021 |title=Gal Gadot gushes over new Smartwater drink |url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/gal-gadot-gushes-over-new-smartwater-drink-665661 |access-date=March 2, 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} In April 2023, Gadot became the new ambassador of Tiffany & Co., and was honored to cut the ribbon at the brand's new Fifth Avenue store in New York.{{Cite web |last=Ben Tzur |first=Liad |date=April 30, 2023 |title=עם כל המי ומי: רותם סלע, גל גדות ולירון וויצמן בילו באחת המסיבות הנחשקות בניו יורק |trans-title=With all the who's who: Rotem Sela, Gal Gadot and Liron Weizman spent time at one of the most coveted parties in New York |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/celebs/news/ctukn-903509049/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Channel 13 |language=he}} Gadot has also been featured on the covers of Cosmopolitan, UMM, Cleo, Entertainment Weekly.{{Cite web |title=Israeli Fashion Retailer Torn Between Daring Spirit and Need to Please the Masses - Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/culture/israeli-fashion-retailer-torn-between-daring-spirit-and-need-to-please-the-masses.premium-1.503128 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20160304092542/http://www.haaretz.com/culture/israeli-fashion-retailer-torn-between-daring-spirit-and-need-to-please-the-masses.premium-1.503128 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.haaretz.com}}
= Production ventures =
In October 2019, Gadot formed a film and television production company, Pilot Wave, with her husband Jaron "Yaron" Varsano.{{cite magazine |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=28 May 2020 |title=Gal Gadot-Led 'Hedy Lamarr' Series Moves To Apple From Showtime |url=https://deadline.com/2020/05/gal-gadot-led-hedy-lamarr-series-sarah-treem-move-apple-showtime-1202945690/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907225750/https://deadline.com/2020/05/gal-gadot-led-hedy-lamarr-series-sarah-treem-move-apple-showtime-1202945690/ |archive-date=7 September 2020 |access-date=28 May 2020 |magazine=Deadline}}{{cite magazine |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=11 October 2019 |title=Gal Gadot Forms Pilot Wave With Jaron Varsano; Star In Irena Sendler Warner Bros |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/gal-gadot-pilot-wave-jaron-varsano-irena-sendler-warner-bros-1202758158/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105005933/https://deadline.com/2019/10/gal-gadot-pilot-wave-jaron-varsano-irena-sendler-warner-bros-1202758158/ |archive-date=5 January 2021 |access-date=3 March 2020 |magazine=Deadline}} Reflecting on the decision Gadot stated in a 2023 interview with L'Oréal, "the whole idea of starting the production company with my husband was to be in control of my own destiny. I'm not the type of person who likes to sit and wait for the next offer."{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Hannah |date=May 30, 2023 |title=Gal Gadot is in Charge of Her Own Destiny — Gal Gadot Heart of Stone Movie Netflix |url=https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/gal-gadot-heart-of-stone-netflix-movie-producer |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=L'Officiel USA |language=en}} Since then, she has shared teasers for different projects—some got mixed reactions, but none have been released.References for some projects.
- {{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=2019-10-11 |title=Gal Gadot Forms Pilot Wave With Jaron Varsano; She'll Star In & Produce 'Irena Sendler' For Warner Bros |url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/gal-gadot-pilot-wave-jaron-varsano-irena-sendler-warner-bros-1202758158/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
- {{Cite web |last=i24NEWS |date=2019-12-25 |title=Gal Gadot co-producing film adaptation of banned novel |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/culture/1577287393-gal-gadot-co-producing-film-adaptation-of-banned-novel |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=i24NEWS |language=en}}
- {{Cite web |author=ToI Staff |title=Gal Gadot to co-produce movie on Israeli-Palestinian love story |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gal-gadot-to-co-produce-movie-on-israeli-palestinian-love-story/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}
- {{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2021-04-28 |title=Gal Gadot To Star In 'Meet Me In Another Life' & Produce Under Her Pilot Wave Banner With Atlas Entertainment |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/gal-gadot-meet-me-in-another-life-atlas-entertainment-pilot-wave-jaron-varsano-1234745823/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
- {{Cite web |last=Frydberg |first=Tracy |title=From superhero to producer: Gal Gadot signs on to Fidel Castro drama |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/from-superhero-to-producer-gal-gadot-signs-on-to-fidel-castro-drama/ |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}} In November 2021, Gadot and her husband launched Goodles, a mac and cheese brand co-founded with "experienced partners" like former Kraft brand executive Paul Earle, with the goal of offering a healthier alternative to traditional boxed mac and cheese.{{Cite web |last=Weiss |first=Sabrina |date=2021-11-16 |title=Gal Gadot Launches New Line of Healthier Mac and Cheese, GOODLES |url=https://people.com/food/gal-gadot-releases-healthy-mac-cheese-brand-goodles/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=People |language=en}} In 2022, the couple invested in Safe School, an Israeli startup founded by Doron Herman, which provides educational content focused on social issues for children and teenagers. This investment is part of their ongoing support for Israeli startups, following a previous investment in K Health.{{Cite web |last=Guterzon |first=Dana |date=May 24, 2022 |title=גל גדות ובעלה ירון ורסנו השקיעו בסטארטאפ של דורון הרמן |trans-title=Gal Gadot and her husband Yaron Varsano invested in Doron Herman's startup |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/nexter-news/Article-200f839eab5f081027.htm |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Mako}}
Reception
{{Main|Imagine (Gal Gadot video)}}
= Media reception =
Gadot initially faced criticism for her slim physique during her pageant years in 2004, with some even speculating about eating disorders.{{Cite web |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=July 6, 2015 |title=Wonder Woman Gal Gadot: People Used to Think I Had an Eating Disorder |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/673341/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-people-used-to-think-i-had-an-eating-disorder? |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=E! Online}} She dismissed these remarks, pointing out that they stemmed from unrealistic beauty standards.{{Cite web |last=Juris |first=Yvonne |date=August 24, 2017 |title=Gal Gadot Responds to Body Shamers Who Say She's Not Curvy Enough: 'What Are You Talking About Here?' |url=https://people.com/health/gal-gadot-responds-to-body-shamers/ |access-date=February 3, 2025 |website=People |language=en}} According to Ynet, early in her career, she was considered a "shelf product", a term for a model struggling to break through in the local fashion scene. Fashion photographer Alon Shefransky—who worked with her from 2006 to 2008—described her turning point from a softer, "baby-faced look" to a more toned, defined appearance as a "wow moment", likening it to "discovering the next Natalie Portman" By 2012, Gadot ranked second on Forbes Israel{{'}}s list of top-earning models, with earnings of NIS 1.3 million (approximately US$350,000), and in 2013, her earnings rose to NIS2.4 million (approximately US$650,000), driven largely by brand endorsements and her role in Fast & Furious.{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2012-05-13 |title=גילוי נאות: 10 הדוגמניות המרוויחות בישראל |url=https://forbes.co.il/%D7%92%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%99-%D7%A0%D7%90%D7%95%D7%AA-10-%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%92%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%97%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2013-06-07 |title=דירוג פורבס המלא: 10 הדוגמניות המרוויחות בישראל |url=https://forbes.co.il/%D7%93%D7%99%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%92-%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%A1-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%90-10-%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%92%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%97%D7%95%D7%AA/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2017-05-13 |title=10 הדוגמניות המרוויחות ביותר בישראל |url=https://forbes.co.il/10-%D7%94%D7%93%D7%95%D7%92%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%97%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%95%D7%AA%D7%A8-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C/ |access-date=2025-01-05 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}} In 2015, Forbes Israel ranked her 49th on their list of "The Most Powerful Women in Israel" and 38th on their list of "Influential Women".{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2014-05-13 |title=הנשים החזקות בישראל 2014 |trans-title=The Most Powerful Women in Israel 2014 |url=https://forbes.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%97%D7%96%D7%A7%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%91%D7%99%D7%A9%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%9C-2014/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}}{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2015-04-13 |title=הנשים המשפיעות 2015 |trans-title=Influential women |url=https://forbes.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%AA-2015/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}}
Ahead of Wonder Woman's 2017 release, Gadot received 95% positive online comments, with Taykey analytics ranking her as the most beloved Israeli globally.{{Cite web |last=ומחשבים |first=מערכת אנשים |date=2017-05-24 |title=גל גדות – הישראלית האהובה ביותר ברשת |trans-title=Gal Gadot – the most beloved Israeli on the internet |url=https://www.pc.co.il/news/242087/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website= |language=he-IL}} Taykey's CEO, Amit Avner, noted that Gadot had already been the most talked-about personality during Super Bowl commercials, one of which she appeared in earlier that year. However, the release of Wonder Woman would elevated her popularity to new heights. That same year Forbes Israel ranked 35th on their list of "Influential Women",{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2017-05-13 |title=הנשים המשפיעות 2017 |url=https://forbes.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A0%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%9D-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%AA-2017/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}} and ranked 53rd on Forbes "30 Under 30 list".{{Cite web |last=ישראל |first=פורבס |date=2017-05-13 |title=Forbes 30UNDER30 |url=https://forbes.co.il/forbes-30under30/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Forbes Israel |language=he-IL}} Additionally, she topped FHM{{'}}s "100 Sexiest Women in the World" list.{{Cite web |date=30 December 2017 |title=The 100 Sexiest Women In The World, 2017 |url=http://www.fhm.com/posts/the-100-sexiest-women-in-the-world-2017-150162/photos/sexiest-women-gal-gadot-272353 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180121072340/http://www.fhm.com/posts/the-100-sexiest-women-in-the-world-2017-150162/photos/sexiest-women-gal-gadot-272353 |archive-date=21 January 2018 |access-date=20 March 2018 |work=FHM}} That same year, she became the third highest-grossing actress of 2017, earning $1.4 billion worldwide.{{Cite web |last=Robehmed |first=Natalie |title=Vin Diesel Is The Top-Grossing Actor Of 2017 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2017/12/26/vin-diesel-is-the-top-grossing-actor-of-2017/#4982ca8350dc |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
In her January 2018, article for The Forward, Jenny Singer critiques how Gadot is portrayed in the media, particularly on the cover of Vanity Fair. Despite Gadot's "success as an actress, activist, and athlete", Singer argues that she is often reduced to a sex object, with her talents overshadowed by her physical appearance. Singer suggests that Gadot's background, including her modeling past and accent, may contribute to the media's focus on her looks rather than her accomplishments.{{Cite web |last=Singer |first=Jenny |date=January 28, 2018 |title=Why Won't Publications Give Gal Gadot The Respect She Deserves? |url=https://forward.com/schmooze/392987/why-wont-publications-give-gal-gadot-the-respect-she-deserves/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Forward |language=en}} That year, Time magazine named Gadot one of the 100 most influential people in the world,{{cite magazine |date=19 April 2018 |title=Time 100: The Most Influential People of 2018 |url=https://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217578/gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420015900/http://time.com/collection/most-influential-people-2018/5217578/gal-gadot/ |archive-date=20 April 2018 |access-date=22 April 2018 |magazine=Time}} and Forbes ranked her as the tenth highest-paid actress in the world, with annual earnings of $10 million.{{cite news |date=15 August 2018 |title=The World's Highest-Paid Actresses 2018 |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5b746648a7ea43757f2c5b56/10-gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126115600/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5b746648a7ea43757f2c5b56/10-gal-gadot/ |archive-date=26 November 2018 |access-date=16 August 2018 |work=Forbes}} In 2020, Forbes ranked Gadot as the third highest-paid actress in the world, with annual earnings of $31.5 million.{{cite news |last=Berg |first=Madeline |date=2 October 2020 |title=The Highest-Paid Actresses 2020: Small Screen Stars Like Sofia Vergara, Ellen Pompeo And Elisabeth Moss Shine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/10/02/the-highest-paid-actresses-2020-small-screen-stars-like-sofia-vergara-ellen-pompeo-and-elisabeth-moss-shine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002141733/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/10/02/the-highest-paid-actresses-2020-small-screen-stars-like-sofia-vergara-ellen-pompeo-and-elisabeth-moss-shine/ |archive-date=2 October 2020 |access-date=2 October 2020 |work=Forbes}} In 2022, Variety reported that Gadot earned $5 million for her role in Death on the Nile. She was the highest-paid star in the movie.{{Cite web |date=2022-12-07 |title=10 highest-paid actresses of 2022, ranked – from Zendaya to Lady Gaga |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3202256/10-highest-paid-actresses-2022-ranked-margot-robbies-barbie-millions-and-zendayas-challengers-film-j?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}} In 2023, Gadot was awarded the LifeSaver Award by ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel.{{Cite web |title=ELEM's 2023 Ray of Hope Benefit |url=https://elem.org/elems-2023-ray-of-hope-benefit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705101347/https://elem.org/elems-2023-ray-of-hope-benefit/ |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=2023-07-05 |website=ELEM |language=en-US}} In June of that year, it was announced that Gadot would become the first Israeli actor to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Gal Gadot to receive star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame |url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/gal-gadot-to-receive-star-on-hollywoods-walk-of-fame/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=The Australian Jewish News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Paige |first=Ashley |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Chadwick Boseman, Michelle Yeoh, Gal Gadot and More to Get Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars in 2024 |url=https://people.com/hollywood-walk-of-fame-to-honor-chadwick-boseman-and-more-stars-2024-7553841 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=People.com |language=en}} This was met with criticism,{{Cite web |date=2023-06-28 |title=גם קבלת הכוכב בהוליווד לא מצליחה להציל את גל גדות מהביקורת |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/news/635377/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=מקור ראשון |language=he-IL}}{{Cite news |last=Shamir |first=Oron |date=June 29, 2023 |title=ברכות, גל גדות, התקבלת למועדון חסר כל חשיבות |trans-title=Gal Gadot was added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame – a club of no importance or interest |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/cinema/2023-06-29/ty-article-magazine/.premium/00000189-0668-debd-a7ad-8769f8610000 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230630200409/https://www.haaretz.co.il/gallery/cinema/2023-06-29/ty-article-magazine/.premium/00000189-0668-debd-a7ad-8769f8610000 |archive-date=2023-06-30 |access-date=March 20, 2025 |work=Haaretz |language=he}} and by March 18, 2025, she officially received it. The ceremony was disrupted by both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters.{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2025-03-18 |title='Snow White' Star Gal Gadot on Playing Wonder Woman and Speaking Out About Israel: 'I Had to Advocate for the Hostages' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/features/gal-gadot-snow-white-wonder-woman-walk-of-fame-1236339602/ |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Davies |first=Cerys |date=March 18, 2025 |title=Gal Gadot's Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony crashed by pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-03-18/gal-gadot-walk-of-fame-pro-palestine-pro-israel-protesters-snow-white |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
= Cultural reception =
In her honor, the Azrieli Center in Tel Aviv was illuminated on 1 June 2017, ahead of the Israeli premiere of Wonder Woman. The towers displayed the message: "We are proud of you, Gal Gadot, our Wonder Woman."{{Cite news |last=Jpost |first=Staff |date=29 May 2017 |title=Tel Aviv towers light up in honor of Gal Gadot |url=https://www.jpost.com/not-just-news/tel-aviv-towers-light-up-in-honor-of-gal-gadot-494262 |access-date=10 January 2025 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}
File:Wonder Woman feat. Gal Gadot advertisement in Tel Aviv, June 2017.jpg}}]]
As reported by CBC News, Gadot's portrayal of Wonder Woman has made her "the world's most famous Israeli and the country's most high-profile ambassador". Gadot has been compared to Bar Refaeli, who faced backlash for not serving in the military. Gadot is admired for her military service, which has endeared her to Israelis. Her image as a "good Israeli" and her inspiring presence in Wonder Woman have made her a source of "national Israeli pride", with fans cheering and even crying at her appearances.
Isabel Feinstein of The Jerusalem Post praised Gadot as a powerful example of "soft power" for Israel, highlighting how her rise to global fame offers the "Jewish state" a unique opportunity for positive international exposure. Feinstein highlighted that Gadot's Google search results (20.7 million) surpass those of Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (16.1 million), emphasizing her global influence.{{Cite news |last=Feinstein |first=Isabel |date=19 July 2017 |title=Wonder Woman is Israeli: The soft power of Gal Gadot |url=https://www.jpost.com/opinion/wonder-woman-is-israeli-the-soft-power-of-gal-gadot-500125 |access-date=10 January 2025 |website=The Jerusalem Post}} She also noted that Gadot's appearances on Western talk shows like The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Ellen DeGeneres Show have helped humanize the stereotype of the "brutal Israeli soldier", making her relatable to a worldwide audience. Feinstein went on to describe Gadot as "a living contradiction", claiming that "the association of an Israeli actress with a progressive agenda helps those who unfairly condemn all citizens of a nation for the actions of their government see that Israelis are complex and open-minded humans with a wide range of opinions". In a 2019 article by The Australian Jewish News, it is highlighted that Gadot is often seen as a more effective ambassador for Israel than its diplomats, given her global fame. Ari Ingel of the Creative Community for Peace believes her interactions with prominent Hollywood figures can positively influence Israel's image. However, Shayna Weiss of Brandeis University views this as a "soft power" issue—using culture to sway opinions—and questions whether such influence has measurable or lasting effects, saying, "I don't think Gal Gadot harms Israel, but do I think Gal Gadot helps Israel much? Not so sure."{{Cite news |date=4 July 2019 |title=The Gal Gadot effect |url=https://www.australianjewishnews.com/the-gal-gadot-effect/ |access-date=10 January 2025 |newspaper=The Australian Jewish News}}
The release of the film sparked a debate about Gadot's Jewish identity and her portrayal as a woman of color.{{Cite web |last=Kestenbaum |first=Sam |date=June 9, 2017 |title='Wonder Woman' Sparks Debate About Jewish Identity |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/374201/wonder-woman-sparks-debate-about-jewish-identity/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |website=The Forward}}{{cite journal | last=Al-Mahadin | first=Salam | title=Wonder Woman: Goddess of Fictional and Actual Wars | journal=Journal of Middle East Women's Studies | publisher=Duke University Press | volume=14 | issue=2 | date=17 August 2018 | issn=1558-9579 | pages=246–251 | url=https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/4/article/701192/summary | access-date=4 June 2025}} Some argued that as an Israeli Jew, Gadot should be seen as not white, or at least not straightforwardly so, through a lens of racial complexity, in the context that Hollywood has historically limited representation of diverse identities.{{Cite web |last=Aguilar |first=Matthew |date=5 September 2017 |title=Wonder Woman: There IS A Person Of Color In The Lead Role |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/wonder-woman-person-of-color/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |website=ComicBook.com}}{{cite web | last=Finkelstein | first=Joel | title=Are Gal Gadot And Other Ashkenazi Jews White? The Answer Is Complicated…And Insidious. | website=The Forward | date=5 June 2017 | url=https://forward.com/community/373834/are-gal-gadot-and-other-ashkenazi-jews-white-the-answer-is-complicatedand-i/ | access-date=4 June 2025}}{{cite web | last=Behan | first=Dani Ishai | title=The Blogs: Yes, Ashkenazi Jews (Including Gal Gadot) Are People of Color | website=The Times of Israel | date=4 June 2017 | url=https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/yes-ashkenazi-jews-including-gal-gadot-are-people-of-color/ | access-date=4 June 2025}} Others, including some Jews of color, argued that Gadot is white, and thus Wonder Woman was a breakthrough for white women but lacked representation for women of color.{{Cite web |last=Berlatsky |first=Noah |date=2 June 2017 |title=Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman Is White — Let's Not Pretend Otherwise |url=https://forward.com/culture/film-tv/373658/gal-gadots-wonder-woman-is-white-lets-not-pretend-otherwise/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=The Forward}}{{cite web | last=Heilman | first=Boaz | title=What Jews Of Color Hear When You Say Gal Gadot Isn’t White | website=The Forward | date=16 June 2017 | url=https://forward.com/opinion/374935/what-jews-of-color-hear-when-you-say-gal-gadot-isnt-white/ | access-date=4 June 2025}}{{cite web | last=Griffiths | first=Kadeen | title='Wonder Woman's Feminism Is Strong As Hell, But It's Not Intersectional | website=Bustle | date=7 June 2017 | url=https://www.bustle.com/p/wonder-womans-feminism-is-strong-as-hell-but-its-not-intersectional-62798 | access-date=4 June 2025}} In contrast, others viewed Gadot's role as a positive step toward broader representation, especially for Jewish women, Israeli heritage, distinct accent, and strength as a heroic figure. Tamar Hermann reflected on Gadot's portrayal, noting that Jewish women are often underrepresented or stereotyped in Hollywood. For many, Gadot's role offered a rare and empowering representation of Jewish women, highlighting her Israeli heritage, distinct accent, and strength as a heroic figure.{{Cite web |last=Herman |first=Tamar |date=2017-06-13 |title=The Gal Gadot Representation Conversation We've Been Missing |url=https://forward.com/life/374555/the-gal-gadot-representation-conversation-weve-been-missing/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |website=The Forward}} Arielle Iniko Newton argued that Black women's support for the film ignored Gadot's ties to the IDF and her stance on Palestinian oppression.{{Cite magazine |last=Iniko Newton |first=Arielle |date=26 October 2020 |title=OPINION: Why Supporting 'Wonder Woman' Is Dangerous For My Black Feminism And Liberation |url=https://www.essence.com/culture/wonder-woman-black-feminism-palestine-israel-views/ |access-date=8 January 2025 |magazine=Essence}} Salam Al-Mahadin objected not to her whiteness, but to "her status as an enthusiastic Israeli soldier and citizen and the film's valorization of US imperial militarism".
File:Reuven_Rivlin's_visit_to_Los_Angeles,_November_2017_(8466).jpg with Gadot at the Justice League (2017) premiere at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Staff |date=2017-11-14 |title=הנשיא מאוהב, בוונדר וומן: כשרובי ריבלין פגש את גל גדות - וואלה סלבס |trans-title=The President is in love with Wonder Woman: When Ruben Rivlin met Gal Gadot |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/3111464 |access-date=2015-01-10 |website={{Interlanguage link|וואלה|lt=Walla|he|וואלה}} |language=he}}]]
During his visit to Los Angeles for the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was invited by Gadot to the premiere of Justice League, a film in which she stars. Rivlin embraced Gadot, expressing his pride in her as a "true ambassador" of Israel, "who has managed to place us [Israeli] at the pinnacles of global filmmaking with grace, values, and an Israeli smile."{{Cite web |last=Bender |first=Eric |date=November 14, 2017 |title=ראובן ריבלין במפגש פסגה עם גל גדות: "את יקרה לנו עוד מתקופת 'עספור" |trans-title=Reuven Rivlin at summit meeting with Gal Gadot: "You have been dear to us since the 'Asfor' era" |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/news/israel/Article-608674 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |website=Maariv |language=he}}
In June 2018, amid an Arab boycott of Gadot, a cinema in the northern Israeli town of Nazareth Illit was named "Gal Cinema" in her honor. The two-screen cinema opened with the film Shelter by Israeli director Eran Riklis. The spokeswoman Orna Yosef stated the decision aimed to inspire young people, highlighting Gadot as a symbol of success and the fulfillment of dreams.{{Cite magazine |last=Moore |first=Jack |date=16 January 2018 |title='Wonder Woman' Star Has Israeli Cinema Named After Her |url=https://www.newsweek.com/wonder-woman-star-gal-gadot-has-israeli-cinema-named-after-her-face-arab-782404 |access-date=27 January 2025 |magazine=Newsweek}} On November 7, 2022, Gadot was honored at the Israeli Culture & Arts (ICA) Awards by the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF). The award recognized her significant contributions to film, alongside other Israeli artists.{{Cite news |date=1 October 2022 |title=Actresses Shira Haas and Gal Gadot to receive awards at AICF celebration |url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-718644 |access-date=7 March 2025 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post}}
In May 2023, Gadot received an award for "extraordinary achievements" at an event celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day in Los Angeles, organized by the Israeli-American Community (IAC) and the Israeli Consulate. In her speech, Gadot expressed pride in her Israeli heritage and emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Israelis and Americans.{{Cite web |last1=Ben Tzur |first1=Liad |last2=Kraus |first2=Neria |date=May 18, 2023 |title="ישראל היא הלב והבית שלי": גל גדות קיבלה פרס על הישגים יוצאי דופן |trans-title="Israel is my heart and home": Gal Gadot received an award for extraordinary achievements |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/celebs/news/amv6e-903529002/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Channel 13 |language=he}} In January 2025 Dudi Caspi, Israel's representative to the Golden Globes Association, spoke with Iris Cole on 103FM radio about the ceremony. He praised Gadot, calling her "a good ambassador for Israel". Caspi noted that although Gadot did not wear a hostages pin at the event, she remains an important figure for Israel in Hollywood.{{Cite web |last=Gadash |first=Maya |date=6 January 2025 |title=נציג ישראל בגלובוס הזהב: "גל גדות היא שגרירה כל כך טובה של ישראל" |trans-title=Israel's representative at the Golden Globes: "Gal Gadot is such a good ambassador for |url=https://www.maariv.co.il/culture/article-1162153 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Maariv |language=he}} In March 2025, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) awarded Gadot a "Certificate of Appreciation" for her strong stance against anti-Semitism and hatred, and her unwavering support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.{{Cite web |last=system |first=Israel Today |date=3 March 2025 |title="אני אומר זאת שוב: שמי גל ואני יהודייה": צפו בנאום המרגש של גל גדות לאחר קבלת אות ההוקרה {{!}} ישראל היום |trans-title=I say it again: My name is Gal and I am Jewish": Watch Gal Gadot's moving speech after receiving the award |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/films/article/17480907 |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom}}
Advocacy
Gadot identifies as a feminist and promotes women's empowerment.{{Cite web |last=Collins |first=Allison |date=2018-01-09 |title=Gal Gadot on Makeup, Feminism and a Cultural Shift in Hollywood |url=https://wwd.com/feature/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-revlon-makeup-feminism-hollywood-11084996/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=WWD |language=en-US}} In July 2016, Gadot joined a campaign by Israeli female master's students in communications to rebrand Israel by highlighting its strong women. Titled "Israel Creates Wonder Women," it spotlighted real "Israeli heroines" in different fields to promote female empowerment. Gadot supported the initiative after the students reached out to her.{{Cite news |last=Kleinbort |first=Sapir |date=July 5, 2016 |title=גל גדות בקמפיין סטודנטים למיתוג ישראל |trans-title=Gal Gadot in the Student Campaign to Brand Israel |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/article/4824332 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}}
File:Wonder Woman premiere 2.jpg
Later In 2016, Gadot, fellow Wonder Woman actress Lynda Carter, DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson, director Patty Jenkins and U.N. Under-Secretary-General Cristina Gallach appeared at the United Nations on 21 October 2016, the 75th anniversary of the first appearance of Wonder Woman, to mark the character's designation by the United Nations as its "Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls".Serrao, Nivea (13 October 2016). [https://ew.com/article/2016/10/13/wonder-woman-un-honorary-ambassador/ "Wonder Woman named UN Honorary Ambassador for empowerment of women and girls"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034805/https://ew.com/article/2016/10/13/wonder-woman-un-honorary-ambassador/|date=29 December 2020}}. Entertainment Weekly.[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161021005779/en/Woman-Named-United-Nations'-Honorary-Ambassador-Empowerment "Wonder Woman Named the United Nations' Honorary Ambassador for the Empowerment of Women and Girls"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034655/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161021005779/en/Woman-Named-United-Nations%27-Honorary-Ambassador-Empowerment|date=29 December 2020}}. Business Wire. 21 October 2016. The gesture was intended to raise awareness of UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 5, which seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls by 2030.Roberts, Elizabeth (13 December 2016). [http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/health/wonder-woman-un-ambassador-trnd/index.html "UN drops Wonder Woman as honorary ambassador"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034717/https://www.cnn.com/2016/12/13/health/wonder-woman-un-ambassador-trnd/index.html|date=29 December 2020}}. CNN. The decision was met with protests from UN staff members who stated in their petition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that the character is "not culturally encompassing or sensitive" and served to objectify women. As a result, the character was stripped of the designation, and the project ended on 16 December.
In a January 2018, interview with Women's Wear Daily, she highlighted Hollywood's ongoing cultural shift towards gender equality, calling it necessary and overdue. Later, Gadot took part in the #WeRemember campaign, organized by the World Jewish Congress to preserve Holocaust remembrance. CEO Robert Singer praised her involvement, highlighting the vital role of influencers in combating antisemitism.{{Cite web |last=Eichner |first=Itamar |date=January 28, 2018 |title=WeRemember#: ניצולת השואה ביקשה - וגל גדות הצטרפה לקמפיין הזיכרון |trans-title=WeRemember: Holocaust survivor asked - and Gal Gadot joined the remembrance campaign |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5077130,00.html |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=ynet |language=he}}
That same year, she attended the Golden Globes, where she joined fellow actors in wearing black to support the Time's Up movement. Reflecting on the event, Gadot shared, "It was incredibly impactful, and just being part of it felt so powerful and inspiring."{{Cite web |last=Niven-Phillips |first=Lisa |date=2018-01-09 |title=Gal Gadot On Beauty, The Golden Globes And Her New Revlon Role |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/gal-gadot-for-revlon |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}} In July 2018, Gadot surprised children at Inova Children's Hospital in Annandale, Virginia, by visiting them dressed as Wonder Woman.{{Cite magazine |last=Langone |first=Alix |date=2018-07-08 |title=Gal Gadot Dressed as Wonder Woman to Visit a Children's Hospital |url=https://time.com/5332819/gal-gadot-childrens-hospital-wonder-woman/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |magazine=TIME |language=en}}
In May 2019, Gadot supported a "Reach Out Association" initiative for 25 ill children on a special LA trip, sponsored by Israeli businessmen. The kids enjoyed luxury car rides and a visit to YMI fashion, honoring Dudi Vered’s late son.{{Cite news |last=Weltzer |first=Yael |date=May 23, 2019 |title=גל גדות משמחת את ילדי עמותת להושיט יד באל איי |trans-title=Gal Gadot makes the children of the Lend a Hand organization happy in LA |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/article/5514038 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} In November 2020, Gadot was criticized by Trump supporters and some Israelis after congratulating Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on their election win. Critics called her a populist and a "Hollywood liberal who has forgotten what is good for her country."{{Cite web |last=Chiat |first=Inbal |date=November 9, 2020 |title=Israeli actress Gal Gadot in hot water for congratulating Biden on election win |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/11/09/gal-gadot-blasted-for-congratulating-biden-on-election-victory/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=en-US}} In October 2022, Gadot faced mixed reactions after posting support for the Jewish community in response to Kanye West’s "antisemitic remarks". She shared an Instagram photo wearing a Star of David necklace with the caption "proud." While some praised her for speaking out, others accused her of using the moment for publicity and criticized her past silence on Israel-related issues.{{Cite web |last=Dalal |first=Yossi |date=October 26, 2022 |title="פתאום משתלם לה? שתתבייש!": גל גדות הביעה תמיכה בעם היהודי והותקפה ברשת {{!}} ישראל היום |trans-title="Suddenly it's paying off for her? Shame on her!": Gal Gadot expressed support for the Jewish people and was attacked online |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/13220173 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom}}
In April 2023, Gadot hosted a Holocaust Remembrance Day event at her Hollywood home, welcoming survivors like Celina Biniaz, the youngest on Schindler's List, and notable Hollywood guests. Part of the "Zikaron BaSalon" tradition, the gathering featured personal testimonies in an intimate setting. Reflecting on the event, Gadot said, "I don't know about God, but I believe in people, in the power of one's decision to do good."{{Cite web |last=Lampert |first=Nicole |title=Gal Gadot: Israeli actress hosts Holocaust memorial event |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/world/gal-gadot-hosts-yom-hashoah-event-with-sacha-baron-cohen-and-harvey-keitel-wbkng20m |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=www.thejc.com |date=19 April 2023 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Jessica |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Gal Gadot hosts Holocaust survivor for remembrance event in her LA home |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gal-gadot-hosts-holocaust-survivor-for-remembrance-event-in-her-la-home/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}} In May 2023, she surprised children from the "Lend a Hand" organization during a visit to Universal Studios in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Suissa |first=Eran |date=May 9, 2023 |title=וונדר וומן אמיתית: ההפתעה המדהימה של גל גדות |trans-title=The Real Wonder Woman: Gal Gadot's Amazing Surprise |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/14019481 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Israelhayom}} During 2025 California wildfires, Gadot voiced her support for those affected by the fires in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Nirman |first=Adi |date=September 1, 2025 |title='It's coming our way': Israeli actresses Gal Gadot, Moran Atias face deadly LA fires |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/01/09/its-coming-our-way-israeli-actresses-gal-gadot-moran-atias-share-la-crisis/ |access-date=March 20, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom |language=en-US}}
= Support for Israel =
{{Main|Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}
Gadot has openly supported the Israeli military, and her stance has received both praise and criticism.
During the 2014 Gaza War, Gadot posted on Facebook a picture of herself and her daughter praying in front of Shabbat candles praying for Israeli citizens and soldiers, and condemned Hamas as "cowards" "hiding behind women and children".{{Cite web |author=Selby, Jenn |date=1 August 2014 |title='Wonder Woman' actress posts pro-Israeli army message |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-israel-gaza-israeli-actress-s-pro-idf-stance-causes-controversy-9643412.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201006163534/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-israel-gaza-israeli-actress-s-pro-idf-stance-causes-controversy-9643412.html |archive-date=6 October 2020 |access-date=31 December 2020 |website=The Independent |language=en}} The post sparked both support and criticism due to differing views on the conflict.{{Cite news |title=Gal Gadot comes under fire for supporting Israeli soldiers in Gaza |url=https://www.haaretz.com/life/television/gal-gadot-under-fire-for-supporting-idf-1.5256975 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181006081904/https://www.haaretz.com/life/television/gal-gadot-under-fire-for-supporting-idf-1.5256975 |archive-date=6 October 2018 |access-date=2 January 2021 |website=Haaretz |language=en}}
In 2019, Gadot clashed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the status of Israel's Arab minority after Netanyahu's remark that Israel is a "nation-state" for Jews only. Responding to actress Rotem Sela’s call for equality for all citizens, Gadot supported her, saying it's about “peace, equality, and tolerance.” Her comments sparked mixed reactions, some praised while others criticized her for not taking a firmer political stance.{{Cite news |date=2019-03-11 |title=Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot wades into Netanyahu row over Israeli Arabs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47524518 |access-date=2025-01-31 |work=BBC |language=en-GB}}
During the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, Gadot initially stayed silent which led to criticism from Israeli and Jewish media,{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Inbal |date=May 12, 2021 |title="בושה": מתקפת גולשים על גל גדות {{!}} ישראל היום |trans-title="Shame": Online attack on Gal Gado |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/world-news-celebrities/article/853385?amp=1#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17439760011891&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom}} Gadot later called for peace in a statement that sparked widespread backlash. While expressing support for Israel, she referred to Palestinians as "neighbors" rather than naming them directly, which many saw as downplaying their suffering.{{cite news |last=Earl |first=William |date=12 May 2021 |title='Wonder Woman' Star Gal Gadot Gets Backlash for Israel-Palestine Tweet |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/gal-gadot-israel-palestine-wonder-woman-1234971511/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515204524/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/gal-gadot-israel-palestine-wonder-woman-1234971511/ |archive-date=15 May 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=Variety}}{{cite news |last=Kemp |first=Ella |date=13 May 2021 |title=Gal Gadot sparks backlash after tweet about Israel-Hamas conflict |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/gal-gadot-sparks-backlash-controversial-tweet-about-israel-hamas-conflict-2939867 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513113548/https://www.nme.com/news/film/gal-gadot-sparks-backlash-controversial-tweet-about-israel-hamas-conflict-2939867 |archive-date=13 May 2021 |access-date=13 May 2021 |work=NME}}{{cite web |title=Gal Gadot Criticized over Statement About Israeli-Palestinian Conflict |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/gal-gadot-criticized-statement-israel-palestine-conflict/tweet-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010020847/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/gal-gadot-criticized-statement-israel-palestine-conflict/tweet-5 |archive-date=10 October 2022 |access-date=10 October 2022 |website=Complex}} Yair Netanyahu, son of the Israeli prime minister, criticized her neutrality, arguing that, "as one of Israel's best-known" she should have taken a stronger stance. He compared her to Bella and Gigi Hadid, who are vocal in their pro-Palestinian support, saying Gadot acted "as if she was from Switzerland" instead of strongly supporting Israel.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Jack Dutton |date=May 18, 2021 |title=Gal Gadot Acting More Swiss Than Israeli On Conflict, Netanyahu's Son Say |url=https://www.newsweek.com/gal-gadot-acting-more-swiss-israeli-conflict-netanyahu-son-1592420 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Newsweek |language=en}} Israeli nationalists also expressed disappointment, believing she should have used her global influence to defend Israel more strongly.
In 2022, following several attacks, including the Bnei Brak and Tel Aviv shooting attacks, Gadot faced criticism from Israeli media and fans for staying silent.{{Cite web |last=Avraham |first=Yifat Halali |date=April 10, 2022 |title=זעם ברשת על גל גדות: "ג'יג'י חדיד הגיבה לפניה" |trans-title=Online outrage over Gal Gadot: "Gigi Hadid responded to her face" |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2022/Article-9c4f7204a321081026.htm |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Mako}}{{Cite news |last=Moses Shalom |first=Judy Nir |date=April 11, 2022 |title=77 מיליון העוקבים של גל גדות לא שמעו על גל הטרור |trans-title=Gal Gadot's 77 million followers haven't heard about the wave of terrorism |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rkizqdb49 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Inbal |date=May 8, 2022 |title=ליאור דואק נגד גל גדות: "לפחות המכשפה בלה חדיד תומכת בעם שלה, לא כמו וונדרוומן" {{!}} ישראל היום |trans-title=Lior Doak against Gal Gadot: "At least the witch Bella Hadid supports her people, unlike Wonder Woman" |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/10705192 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom}} She was compared to the Hadid sisters, with critics urging her to speak, however, she remained silent in response.{{Cite web |last=Abuhatzeira |first=Yitzhak |date=April 19, 2022 |title="נולדה בפ"ת וחושבת שהיא שוויצרית": ביקורת קשה על גל גדות {{!}} ערוץ 14 |trans-title=Born in Petah Tikva and thinks she's Swiss": Harsh criticism of Gal Gadot |url=https://www.c14.co.il/article/632269 |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=Channel 14 |language=he}}{{Cite web |last=Avraham |first=Yifat Halali |date=April 12, 2022 |title=אמא של גל גדות יוצאת להגנת בתה: "אהבת חינם, לא רעל" |trans-title=Gal Gadot's mother comes to her daughter's defense: "Free love, not poison" |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/entertainment-celebs/local-2022/Article-4f516a4a35d1081027.htm |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=Mako}} In May of that year, Gadot expressed her support for Noa Kirel, the Israeli representative in the Eurovision semi-final, calling her a "unicorn".{{Cite web |last=Dalal |first=Yossi |date=May 10, 2023 |title="פשוט וואו, ליגה אחרת": נועה קירל זוכה לפרגון ענק מהסלבס |trans-title="Just wow, a different league": Noa Kirel receives huge praise from celebrities |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/14025862 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Israelhayom}}
In October 2023, during the Gaza war, Gadot posted a story on her Instagram stating, "Killing innocent Palestinians is horrific", alongside condemning the killing of Israelis. This led to criticism from some in Israel.{{Cite web |last=Network 13 |first=Staff |date=October 11, 2023 |title=אופירה אסייג נגד גל גדות: "חתיכת חוצפנית מנותקת, שבי בשקט" |trans-title=Ofira Assayag against Gal Gadot: "You cheeky, detached piece of shit, sit still" |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/celebs/r2t74-903745144/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Network 13 |language=he}} The post drew backlash in Israel, with some accusing her of equating both sides.{{Cite web |last=Hayat |first=Inbal |date=October 10, 2023 |title=הצל נגד גל גדות לאחר פוסט ההסברה: "אישה דוחה" |trans-title=The Shadow Against Gal Gadot After the Hasbara Post: "A Repulsive |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/local-celebrities/article/14694971 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Israelhayom.}} Journalist Ofira Asayag criticized her as out of touch and questioned her loyalty to Israel, comparing her to celebrities like Dwayne Johnson and Gigi Hadid, who showed more balanced support for both sides. In response, Gadot later emphasized, "Killing innocent Israelis is horrific," and deleted the mention of Palestinians following further criticism.{{Cite news |last=Hovav |first=Ofir |date=October 13, 2023 |title=Gal Gadot condemned for drawing parallel between killing of Israelis and Palestinians |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-12/ty-article/.premium/gal-gadot-drew-a-parallel-between-killing-of-israelis-and-palestinians-and-was-condemned/0000018b-23bc-d3fc-a3bf-bbfd41e20000 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-05-07 |work=Haaretz |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-10-22 |title=Gal Gadot: 'My desire is to promote Israel globally' |url=https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-767931 |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}
Later that month, Gadot, along with over 700 Hollywood professionals, signed an open letter condemning the Palestinian militant group Hamas, demanding the release of hostages, and expressing support for Israel.{{cite news |last=Mouriquand |first=David |date=13 October 2023 |title=Gal Gadot and Mark Hamill among more than 700 Hollywood figures voicing support for Israel in letter |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/10/13/gal-gadot-and-mark-hamill-among-more-than-700-hollywood-figures-voicing-support-for-israel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114031838/https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/10/13/gal-gadot-and-mark-hamill-among-more-than-700-hollywood-figures-voicing-support-for-israel |archive-date=14 January 2024 |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=Euronews}} In November, Gadot organized a screening of Bearing Witness, a film showing Hamas violence, though she did not attend.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/gal-gadot-screening-hamas-attack-bearing-witness-jn9f7cffd|title=Violence erupts outside Gal Gadot's screening of Hamas attack film|last=Southern|first=Keiran|date=10 November 2023|work=The Times}} The screening drew criticism from Jewish Voice for Peace, which called the film "propaganda" and accused Gadot and director Guy Nattiv of overlooking the Palestinian perspective and promoting a pro-war agenda.{{Cite web |last=Dabi |first=Michal |date=August 11, 2023 |title=ארגון יהודי נגד גל גדות: "הקרנת סרט הזוועות בהוליווד – תעמולה" |trans-title=Jewish organization against Gal Gadot: "Screening of horror film in Hollywood - propaganda" |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/kmvfm-903793106/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Channel 13 |language=he}}
In May 2024, Gadot publicly supported Eden Golan, Israel's Eurovision representative, publicly encouraging her followers to vote for Golan. As a result, Gadot lost one million Instagram followers. Despite the backlash, Gadot continued to share posts praising Golan and urging votes throughout the competition.{{Cite web |last=Ice |first=Staff |date=May 12, 2024 |title=גל גדות בהלם: המחיר ששילמה בעקבות הפרגון לעדן גולן |trans-title=Gal Gadot in shock: The price she paid for supporting Eden Golan |url=https://www.ice.co.il/social/news/article/1012217 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Ice |language=he}} In September 2024, Gadot joined Israeli President Isaac Herzog in launching the "Voice of the People" initiative, aimed at fostering global Jewish unity amidst rising antisemitism and the "ongoing hostage crisis".{{Cite web |date=2024-09-16 |title=Gal Gadot and President Issac Herzog are optimistic about the future |url=https://m.jpost.com/israel-news/article-820268 |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=All Israel News |first=Staff |date=2024-09-12 |title=Israeli actress Gal Gadot to join President Herzog in launching 'Voice of the People' initiative, designed to highlight worldwide Jewish unity |url=https://allisrael.com/israeli-actress-gal-gadot-to-join-president-herzog-in-launching-voice-of-the-people-initiative-designed-to-highlight-worldwide-jewish-unity |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=All Israel News |language=en-US}}
{{blockquote|When I look back 15 years, when I was starting out, being Israeli was something that people admired and were excited about—Israeli women, their strength, and all that. I'm not saying it's no longer the case, but now it's complicated. The conversation has changed. It's different. And I find myself, time and again, having to engage in very complex and often uncomfortable discussions with people who have opinions about what's happening, trying to give them the full picture of what's really going on.|source=Gadot reflecting on shifting views of Israel.{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Noam |date=September 23, 2024 |title=גל גדות: "לפני 15 שנה להיות ישראלית היה משהו שהתרשמו ממנו, השיחה השתנתה" |trans-title=Gal Gadot: "15 years ago, being Israeli was something that people were impressed by, the conversation has changed" |url=https://mobile.mako.co.il/news-entertainment/2024_q3/Article-8a457e89528f191027.htm |work={{Interlanguage link|מאקו|lt=Mako|he|מאקו}}}}}}
In January 2025, Gadot participated in Noa Tishby's "#BringOnTheLight" campaign, celebrating Jewish resilience and joy during Hanukkah. The campaign featured other celebrities who lit the menorah on different nights.{{Cite web |last=Burch |first=Sean |date=2025-01-01 |title=Gal Gadot Joins Noa Tishby for Final #BringOnTheLight Hanukkah Celebration {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.thewrap.com/gal-gadot-bring-on-the-light-hanukkah-noa-tishby/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=TheWrap |language=en-US}}
Later that month, Gadot faced criticism for attending the 2025 Golden Globes without a yellow ribbon pin, a symbol of solidarity with hostages held by Hamas. Reports suggested she was prohibited from wearing it, but Gadot clarified she was not, explaining she chose to wear a yellow ring instead and used social media to raise awareness.{{Cite web |author=ToI Staff |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Gal Gadot denies she was forbidden to wear hostage pin at Golden Globes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/golden-globes-denies-preventing-gal-gadot-from-donning-hostage-ribbon/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US}} Despite her efforts, some criticized her for hypocrisy and silence, while others defended her.{{Cite web |last=Ben Tzur |first=Liad |date=January 6, 2025 |title="תתביישי לך, הצביעות חוגגת": אופירה אסייג נגד גל גדות |trans-title=Shame on you, hypocrisy is celebrating": Ofira Assayag against Gal Gadot |url=https://13tv.co.il/item/entertainment/celebs/news/wyytg-904406905/?pid=98823 |access-date=January 30, 2025 |website=Channel 13 |language=he}}{{Cite web |date=January 14, 2025 |title=רותם סלע יוצאת להגנתה של גל גדות: "לא היו מעיזים לזרוק מילה" {{!}} ישראל היום |trans-title=Rotem Sela comes to Gal Gadot's defense: "They wouldn't dare to say a word" |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/culture/films/article/17150714 |access-date=April 8, 2025 |website=Israel Hayom}}
In February 2025, in an interview with Harper's Bazaar Spain, Gadot voiced support for a diplomatic solution to the Gaza–Israel conflict, stressing her anti-war stance and belief in love over hate, saying "War is a defeat for everyone. Hate is horrible. It is toxic for the outside world and for the hater."{{Cite magazine |last=Megía |first=Carlos |date=2025-02-20 |title=Gal Gadot, la nueva bruja de 'Blancanieves': "Tener una experiencia tan cercana a la muerte me ha hecho sentir más agradecida" |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/es/moda/noticias-moda/a63769107/gal-gadot-entrevista-vida-enfermedad-exito-maternidad/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |magazine=Harper's BAZAAR |language=es-ES}} In another interview with Variety, Gadot addressed backlash over her support for Israel, saying she was "shocked by the hate" and surprised "by how the media is not fair many times," which motivated her to speak out. She emphasized her focus on humanity and hostages.{{Cite web |last=Gilchrist |first=Todd |date=2025-03-18 |title=‘Snow White’ Star Gal Gadot on Playing Wonder Woman and Speaking Out About Israel: ‘I Had to Advocate for the Hostages’ |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/features/gal-gadot-snow-white-wonder-woman-walk-of-fame-1236339602/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Personal life
In 2006, Gadot was briefly linked to Israeli swimmer Eithan Urbach. The two met, "exchanged glances, and shared a brief connection", remaining close for at least two months before parting ways.{{Cite web |last=Fruit |first=June |date=July 1, 2011 |title=מועדון האקסיות של איתן אורבך - וואלה סלבס |trans-title=Eitan Auerbach's Ex-Girlfriends Club |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/1835972 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}} That same year, Gadot met her future husband, Jaron "Yaron" Varsano,{{refn|name=spelling|group=note|While some sources have reported the spelling of her husband's name as "Yaron"{{cite magazine|last=Keegan|first=Kayla|title=A Look at Gal Gadot and Her Husband Yaron Varsano's Beautiful Love Story|url=https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a35005488/gal-gadot-husband-yaron-varsano-marriage-kids/|date=30 June 2021|access-date=19 March 2022|magazine=Good Housekeeping|archive-date=26 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226171033/https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/a35005488/gal-gadot-husband-yaron-varsano-marriage-kids/|url-status=live}} and others as "Jaron",{{cite magazine|title=Gal Gadot Celebrates 13 Years of Marriage to Husband Jaron Varsano: 'Forever Isn't Long Enough'|url=https://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-celebrates-13-years-of-marriage-husband-jaron-varsano-forever-isnt-long-enough/|date=28 September 2021|access-date=19 March 2022|magazine=People|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319230706/https://people.com/movies/gal-gadot-celebrates-13-years-of-marriage-husband-jaron-varsano-forever-isnt-long-enough/|url-status=live}} he personally uses "Jaron" on his social media accounts and in the production company the couple started.{{cite web|title=Pilot Wave Motion Pictures|url=http://pilotwave.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120032935/http://pilotwave.com/|archive-date=20 November 2022|quote=Brought to you by Gal Gadot and Jaron Varsano}}}} a real estate developer from Amsterdam who grew up in a Jewish family in the Netherlands,{{cite web |last=Vilkomerson |first=Sara |date=7 March 2016 |title=Gal Gadot Is Wonder Woman: 'She Is Not Relying on a Man, and She's Not There Because of a Love Story' |url=https://www.glamour.com/story/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-cover-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034900/https://www.glamour.com/story/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-cover-interview |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=18 January 2018 |website=Glamour |language=en}}{{cite web |date=7 November 2022 |title=Who is Gal Gadot's Husband? Everything to Know About Yaron Varsano |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/yaron-varsano-all-about-gal-gadots-husband/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320233115/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/yaron-varsano-all-about-gal-gadots-husband/ |archive-date=20 March 2023 |access-date=5 October 2024 |website=usmagazine.com |publisher=Us Weekly}} in 2006 while she was still serving in the Israeli Army. The couple connected at a "chakra/yoga retreat type of party" in the Israeli desert.{{Cite web |last=Briese |first=Nicole |date=March 6, 2024 |title=Who Is Gal Gadot's Husband? All About Jaron Varsano |url=https://people.com/movies/who-is-jaron-varsano-gal-gadot-husband/ |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=People |language=en}}
In 2008, during a weekend off from filming Fast & Furious 4, the couple went to Napa Valley, where Varsano proposed to Gadot.{{Cite web |last=Mashali |first=Gil |date=May 18, 2008 |title=גל גדות מתחתנת - וואלה סלבס |trans-title=Gal Gadot is getting married |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/1283114 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Walls |language=he}} Later that year, on September 28,{{Cite web |last=Mashali |first=Gil |date=July 8, 2008 |title=גל גדות סוגרת - וואלה סלבס |trans-title=Gal Gadot closes |url=https://celebs.walla.co.il/item/1310006 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=Walls |language=he}} they married at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Israel.{{Cite news |last=Bar-On |first=Eran |date=October 2, 2008 |title=גל של ברכות |trans-title=A wave of congratulations |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3604392,00.html |access-date=February 2, 2025 |work=Ynet |language=he}} They reside in the Neve Tzedek neighborhood of Tel Aviv, and have four daughters, Alma born November 5, 2011,{{cite web |date=15 March 2016 |title=Wonder Woman Gal Gadot: My Daughter Made Me Appreciate the Importance of Female Superheroes |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-my-875735 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034849/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-my-875735 |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=22 October 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter}} Maya born March 20, 2017, Daniella born June 29, 2021,{{cite web |title=Mini Wonder Woman! Gal Gadot Welcomes Daughter Maya |url=https://people.com/parents/gal-gadot-welcomes-daughter-maya/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034738/https://people.com/parents/gal-gadot-welcomes-daughter-maya/ |archive-date=29 December 2020 |access-date=21 December 2018 |work=People}}{{cite web |date=29 June 2021 |title=Gal Gadot gives birth to baby girl |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/gal-gadot-gives-birth-to-new-baby-girl-672388 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629173508/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/gal-gadot-gives-birth-to-new-baby-girl-672388 |archive-date=29 June 2021 |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}} and Ori, born February 2, 2024.{{cite web |author=Hannah Brown |date=2 February 2024 |title=Gal's gals: Gal Gadot gives birth to fourth daughter |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-790624 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306202819/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-790624 |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=6 March 2024 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en-US}} The couple owned a boutique hotel in Tel Aviv, which she helped run,{{cite web |date=2 June 2011 |title=Between the sheets with model Israeli |url=http://www.totallyjewish.com/entertainment/features_and_reviews/?content_id=16371 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324034413/http://www.totallyjewish.com/entertainment/features_and_reviews/?content_id=16371 |archive-date=24 March 2016 |newspaper=Jewish News}} that was eventually sold to Russian oligarch and politician Roman Abramovich in 2015 for $26 million.{{cite web |last=Tsur |first=Shlomit |date=13 April 2015 |title=Roman Abramovich buys Tel Aviv hotel |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-roman-abramovich-buys-tel-aviv-hotel-1001028069 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710151545/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-roman-abramovich-buys-tel-aviv-hotel-1001028069 |archive-date=10 July 2015 |work=Globes}}
In August 2022, Gadot visited Netiv HaAsara, a frontline town near Gaza, amid ongoing clashes. Days earlier, she was photographed in a missile shelter on Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv with her children during a rocket alert.{{Cite web |last=i24NEWS |first=Staff |date=2022-10-25 |title=Israel: Actress Gal Gadot visits children in Gaza border town |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/society/1661421216-israel-actress-gal-gadot-visits-children-in-gaza-border-town |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=i24NEWS |language=en}}
In a 2023 interview with L'Officiel, Gadot shared her struggle with impostor syndrome, often doubting how her work will be received.{{Cite web |last=Friedman |first=Doron |date=June 1, 2023 |title=גל גדות בווידוי מפתיע: "יש לי את תסמונת המתחזה" |trans-title=Gal Gadot makes a surprising confession: "I have imposter syndrome |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/celebrities/world-news-celebrities/article/14225980 |access-date=February 2, 2025 |website=israel hayom}} In February 2024, during her eighth month of pregnancy with her fourth daughter, Ori, Gadot was diagnosed with cerebral venous thrombosis,{{Cite news |last=Youngs |first=Ian |date=30 December 2024 |title=Gal Gadot: Actress had 'terrifying' blood clot while pregnant |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp31pk53k8lo |access-date=19 February 2025 |agency=BBC News}} a rare type of stroke that accounts for less than 3% of all strokes.{{Cite journal |last1=Saposnik |first1=Gustavo |last2=Bushnell |first2=Cheryl |last3=Coutinho |first3=Jonathan M. |last4=Field |first4=Thalia S. |last5=Furie |first5=Karen L. |last6=Galadanci |first6=Najibah |last7=Kam |first7=Wayneho |last8=Kirkham |first8=Fenella C. |last9=McNair |first9=Norma D. |last10=Singhal |first10=Aneesh B. |last11=Thijs |first11=Vincent |last12=Yang |first12=Victor X.D. |date=March 2024 |title=Diagnosis and Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association |url=https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10186797/3/Kirkham_AHA_CVT%20scientific%20statement_v6_NM_SB_WK2_KLF_TF_JC_VY_GS2.pdf |journal=Stroke |volume=55 |issue=3 |pages=e77–e90 |doi=10.1161/STR.0000000000000456|pmid=38284265 }} She was rushed to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery within hours. A year after, Gadot told Harper's Bazaar that the near-death experience made her more grateful and present in her life, reminding herself daily to slow down and go at her own pace. Gadot went public to raise awareness.
Gadot, at a 2025 ADL speech, shared that after October 7, she visited a synagogue despite "not being religiously observant" and found solace in the Jewish community. Though far from Israel, she felt at home in LA, briefly easing the weight of the world's chaos. She ended her speech with: "Am Yisrael Chai".
= Influences =
Gadot has expressed admiration for Penélope Cruz, particularly for her courage, individuality, and confidence in embracing her identity. She appreciates how Cruz "stands up for herself and has something to say—she has her own spice, which I love. She is very courageous and also has an accent, but she just goes with it." She also recognizes Yafa Yarkoni as her "Israeli cultural hero", referring to her as "the singer of wars". Additionally, when asked which historical event she would like to witness, Gadot shared that she would have chosen the rally after which Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, as it symbolized "the extreme rejection of democracy".
Filmography
= Film =
{{pending films key}}
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes ! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
|---|
| 1999
|Dancer |Uncredited episode, "Imperyat HaHushim" | |
| 2007
| Bubot | Miriam "Merry" Elkayam | | |
| rowspan=2|2009
| Olivia | 3 episodes |
| Entourage
| Lisa | Episode: "Amongst Friends" |
| 2011
| Asfur | Kika | 17 episodes |
| 2012
| Yamit Bareli | Miniseries |
| 2013
|{{Interlanguage link|דוקוסלב|lt=DocuCeleb|he|דוקוסלב}} | rowspan="2" |Herself |
| rowspan="2" |2017
| Episode: "Gal Gadot/Sam Smith" |
| Saturday Night Live: Cut for Time
| Girl Who Ate The Last Fry | Host, Episode: "The Last Fry" | |
| 2018
| rowspan="2" | Herself | Voice; episode: "Bart's Not Dead" |{{cite web|title=First Look: Gal Gadot is ready for her 'Simpsons' close-up|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/09/21/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-plays-herself-simpsons/1379081002/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229034737/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2018/09/21/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-plays-herself-simpsons/1379081002/|archivedate=29 December 2020|accessdate=25 September 2018|work=USA Today}} |
| 2021
|Impact with Gal Gadot |Also executive producer |
=Music videos=
Awards and nominations
See also
Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{reflist|refs=
{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-on-strength-laughs-and-bisexuality-20161017-gs3y3g.html |title=Wonder Woman Gal Gadot on strength, laughs and bisexuality |date=18 October 2016 |last=Blake |first=Elissa |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107055755/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/wonder-woman-gal-gadot-on-strength-laughs-and-bisexuality-20161017-gs3y3g.html |url-status=live |access-date=21 June 2018}}
{{cite web |title=Gal Gadot News & Biography |url=https://www.empireonline.com/people/gal-gadot/ |website=Empire |date=22 August 2015 |language=en |archive-date=11 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111105010/https://www.empireonline.com/people/gal-gadot/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 January 2021}}
{{cite magazine |url=http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2016/03/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-cover-interview |title=Gal Gadot is Wonder Woman: 'She is Not Relying on a Man, and She's Not There Because of a Love Story |magazine=Glamour |date=March 2016 |archive-date=4 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404123336/http://www.glamour.com/entertainment/blogs/obsessed/2016/03/gal-gadot-wonder-woman-cover-interview |url-status=live |access-date=7 March 2016}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/mtv-movie-tv-awards-2018-nominations-complete-list-1108100/item/best-villain-1108167 |title=MTV Movie & TV Awards: 'Black Panther,' 'Stranger Things' Top Nominations |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberley |date=3 May 2018 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522112341/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/mtv-movie-tv-awards-2018-nominations-complete-list-1108100/item/best-villain-1108167 |url-status=live |access-date=22 May 2018}}
}}
External links
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| title=Miss Israel
| years=2004
| after=Elena Ralph
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{{Miss Universe 2004 delegates}}
{{Navboxes
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{{Miss Universe 2004 delegates}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Fight}}
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