INTRODUCTION
Bar Refaeli (@barrefaeli) is an international supermodel, television host, and prolific businesswoman who stands as one of Israel’s most successful exports to the global fashion industry. A former Sports Illustrated cover star and Maxim Hot 100 winner, she has transitioned from a high-profile runway career into a multi-faceted mogul, launching skincare lines and hosting major international events like the Eurovision Song Contest.
Birth name: Bar Refaeli
Career
Supermodel, Television Presenter, Entrepreneur, Actress
Birthday
June 4, 1985
Age: 40
Zodiac Sign:
Gemini
Birthplace: Hod HaSharon, Israel
Nationality: Israeli
HOW BIG IS Bar Refaeli ON THE NET?
Bar Refaeli maintains a massive digital footprint with over 3.8 million followers on Instagram. Beyond social media, she is a mainstay in traditional media, frequently appearing on the covers of Vogue, ELLE, and GQ. According to Forbes, she has consistently been one of the highest-paid models in the world, with her business ventures and media presence generating significant global Media Impact Value (MIV).
HOW DID Bar Refaeli become famous?
Bar’s path to superstardom was solidified in 2009 when she became the first Israeli model to appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. This milestone, combined with her high-profile relationship with actor Leonardo DiCaprio, made her a household name globally. She further cemented her “household name” status in Europe as the host of The X Factor Israel and a guest judge on Germany’s Next Topmodel alongside Heidi Klum.
BEFORE THE FAME
Bar was practically born into the industry; her mother, Tzipi Levine, was a successful model in the 1970s. Bar began her own career at just eight months old, appearing in commercials. After a brief hiatus during her early teens for orthodontic work, she returned to modeling at 15, quickly winning “Model of the Year” in Israel and becoming the face of major local brands like Castro and Pilpel before conquering the international market.
CLOSE WITH (ASSOCIATED);
Bar Refaeli is a central figure in the global supermodel elite, sharing a history with icons like Gisele Bündchen, Heidi Klum, and Naomi Campbell. In the Israeli fashion scene, she is the primary inspiration for creators like Neta Alchimister and Anna Zak. Her business and social circles overlap with luxury figures like Valentino Garavani, and she remains a key bridge between the world of Hollywood celebrity and the high-fashion industry, often associated with major events like the Cannes Film Festival and amfAR galas.