Gal Gadot

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Gal Gadot was born on April 30, 1985, in Petah Tikva, Israel, and raised in the city of Rosh HaAyin. She comes from a Jewish Israeli family with Ashkenazi roots, including Polish, Austrian, German, and Czech ancestry. Her maternal grandparents were Holocaust survivors, which deeply shaped her understanding of Jewish history and identity. Growing up in Israel, Gadot was immersed in Jewish traditions, Israeli culture, and Hebrew language. Like all Israeli citizens, she served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where she was a combat fitness instructor — an experience that strengthened her discipline, leadership, and sense of national pride. 

Gal Gadot rose to international fame for her role as Wonder Woman in the DC Extended Universe, becoming one of the most recognizable Israeli actors in the world. Before her acting career, she won the title of Miss Israel in 2004 and represented Israel in the Miss Universe pageant. She later transitioned into modeling and acting, with early roles in the Fast & Furious franchise. Her portrayal of Wonder Woman broke barriers, presenting a strong, smart, and compassionate female superhero — and she became a role model for millions of young people around the world. Gadot brought authenticity, strength, and grace to the character, and became a symbol of female empowerment in modern cinema. 

Gal Gadot’s influence extends beyond film. As a proud Israeli and Jewish woman, she has brought visibility to Jewish identity in global pop culture. She uses her platform to advocate for women's rights, humanitarian causes, and unity. Time magazine included her in its list of the 100 most influential people in 2018. Gadot has also taken on production roles, co-producing Wonder Woman 1984 and other projects through her production company, Pilot Wave. She is seen as a trailblazer — not only for her career in Hollywood, but also for how she represents Israel and Jewish people in a positive and empowering light across the world stage. 

• First Israeli actress to achieve major international fame as a superhero
   
• Portrayed Wonder Woman, inspiring a new generation of young women and girls
   
• Advocated for strong, complex female characters in film
   
• Represented Israel in Miss Universe and served in the IDF
   
• Active in philanthropy, women’s empowerment, and humanitarian campaigns
   
• Helped break stereotypes about Israeli and Jewish people in Hollywood
   
• One of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world (2018)

• Gal Gadot was born in the country of __________.
   
• She is best known for playing the superhero __________ __________.
   
• Before acting, she won the title of Miss __________.
   
• Gadot served in the __________ __________ __________ (IDF).
   
• She was listed as one of the 100 most __________ people by Time magazine.

 “Gal Gadot became a symbol of female empowerment on screen and a proud representative of her Jewish identity off screen. How can celebrities use their influence to make a positive impact on the world?”
Encourage students to write a reflection, or create a poster showing how one person can inspire millions.