When a star known for playing a superhero faces a real-life medical emergency, the line between fiction and reality blurs. Gal Gadot, the Israeli actress who brought Wonder Woman to the screen, revealed in December 2024 that she underwent emergency brain surgery earlier that year after doctors found a massive blood clot while she was eight months pregnant, as reported by NBC News (US news outlet). This article unpacks her health crisis, family life, and the controversies that have followed her from Hollywood to the global political stage.
Age: 39 (born April 30, 1985) ·
Height: 1.78 m ·
Instagram Followers: 104 million ·
Husband: Yaron Varsano
Quick snapshot
- Diagnosed with a brain blood clot in February 2024 while 8 months pregnant (BBC News)
- Underwent emergency thrombectomy and recovered fully (The Times of Israel)
- Has four daughters: Alma (2011), Maya (2017), Daniella (2021), and Ori (2024) (TODAY)
- Married to Yaron Varsano since 2008 (BBC News)
- Exact net worth (various estimates exist)
- Whether she endorses Donald Trump (no explicit statement)
- Nature of her relationship with Rachel Zegler after the unfollow
- If she is considered “kind” – subjective judgment
- New film projects in development (The Times of Israel)
- Ongoing public advocacy for hostage release and antisemitism awareness (The Times of Israel)
- Potential further political statements as Israel-Gaza conflict evolves (The Times of Israel)
Nine key facts about Gal Gadot, from her full name to her massive social media following:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gal Gadot Varsano |
| Date of Birth | April 30, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Rosh HaAyin, Israel |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Spouse | Yaron Varsano (m. 2008) |
| Children | 4 daughters |
| Occupation | Actress, model |
| Notable Role | Wonder Woman |
| Instagram Followers | 104 million |
What is Gal Gadot diagnosed with?
What was Gal Gadot’s health scare in 2024?
- She revealed that in February 2024, while eight months pregnant, she was diagnosed with a massive blood clot in her brain – cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare type of stroke (NBC News (US news outlet)).
- Gadot said she experienced intense headaches for weeks before the diagnosis, and doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as hormones or migraines until her mother insisted on an MRI (The Times of Israel (Israeli newspaper)).
- She underwent emergency thrombectomy and gave birth to her daughter Ori during the same hospital stay (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
- Gadot stated she is now completely healed and shared her story to encourage people to advocate for their health (The Times of Israel (Israeli newspaper)).
A pregnant woman experiencing persistent headaches was told it was “just hormones” – yet the underlying condition was a life-threatening stroke. For any expectant mother, this case underscores why pushing for a second opinion can be the difference between misdiagnosis and survival.
The implication: Gadot turned a personal medical trauma into a public service message, encouraging women to trust their instincts even when doctors dismiss symptoms.
How many biological children does Gal Gadot have?
Names of Gal Gadot’s daughters
- Gal Gadot has four daughters: Alma (born 2011), Maya (born 2017), Daniella (born 2021), and Ori (born 2024) (TODAY (US lifestyle outlet)).
- She is married to Israeli businessman Yaron Varsano since 2008 (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
Gal Gadot’s pregnancy announcements
Gadot has shared glimpses of her pregnancies on social media, often posting family photos. The birth of Ori came alongside the medical emergency, making it both a joyful and terrifying moment for the family.
The pattern: four daughters in 13 years, each spaced roughly 3–4 years apart – a deliberate pacing that allowed her to balance motherhood with a blockbuster film career.
What is the age gap between Gal Gadot and her husband?
How old is Yaron Varsano?
- Yaron Varsano was born in 1975, making him about 10 years older than Gal Gadot (born 1985) (BBC News).
- The age gap is approximately 10 years, a fact frequently noted in media profiles.
For a celebrity couple, a decade gap is unremarkable – but Varsano, a real estate developer turned producer, has remained largely out of the spotlight while Gadot’s career soared.
Does Gal Gadot support Israel?
Gal Gadot’s comments on Israel-Gaza conflict
- Gadot has publicly expressed support for Israel after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, calling for the release of hostages and speaking out against antisemitism (The Times of Israel (Israeli newspaper)).
- She has been called a Zionist by critics, a label she has not rejected (Hey Alma (Jewish lifestyle publication)).
- She served in the Israel Defense Forces as a combat fitness instructor (Wikipedia).
Gal Gadot’s IDF service
- Gadot completed two years of mandatory military service in the IDF (2005–2007), a fact that has been both a point of pride and controversy (Wikipedia).
Gadot’s decision to speak openly about Israel cost her support from pro-Palestinian activists and led to unfollows and online backlash – but it also solidified her standing with fans and communities who see her as a principled public figure.
The catch: Gadot’s attempt to stay away from politics before October 7, 2023 was shattered by the Hamas attack – and once she chose a side, the polarization around her only intensified.
What did Gal Gadot do that was controversial?
Rachel Zegler unfollowing Gal Gadot
- In 2024, Rachel Zegler reportedly unfollowed Gadot on Instagram over political differences (Hey Alma (Jewish lifestyle publication)).
Gal Gadot’s political statements
- In 2014, Gadot posted about praying for Israeli citizens and soldiers during the Gaza war (Wikipedia).
- She faced criticism for a 2021 video calling for peace during the Israel-Gaza conflict, with detractors accusing her of being tone-deaf (Wikipedia).
- Her “Imagine” video during the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring celebrities singing John Lennon’s song, was widely mocked as out-of-touch (Wikipedia).
Gal Gadot and Trump support
- Gadot has not explicitly endorsed Donald Trump, but some critics have accused her of sympathizing with right-wing views due to her Israeli identity and political stances (BBC News (UK public broadcaster)).
The pattern: Each controversy follows the same arc – Gadot takes a position, online backlash erupts, and she continues without retracting, accepting the reputational cost as unavoidable.
Key events from Gadot’s life and career form a timeline that connects her early pageant success to her health crisis:
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Born in Rosh HaAyin, Israel |
| 2004 | Won Miss Israel |
| 2007 | Served in Israel Defense Forces |
| 2008 | Married Yaron Varsano |
| 2009 | First acting role in Fast & Furious |
| 2016 | Portrayed Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman |
| 2017 | Wonder Woman solo film released |
| 2021 | Controversial “Imagine” video during pandemic |
| 2023-2024 | Actively supported Israel in Gaza conflict; Rachel Zegler unfollow |
| 2024 | Diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) |
Clarity: What’s known and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Gal Gadot underwent surgery for a brain blood clot in 2024. (TODAY)
- She has four biological daughters. (The Times of Israel)
- She is married to Yaron Varsano since 2008. (BBC News)
- She served in the IDF. (Wikipedia)
- She starred as Wonder Woman. (Wikipedia)
What remains unclear
- Whether she supports Donald Trump (no explicit endorsement).
- Exact nature of her relationship with Rachel Zegler.
- Her net worth (various estimates range widely).
- Whether she is “kind” – a subjective judgment with no definitive evidence.
Quotes from Gadot and others
“I am completely healed. I want to encourage people to advocate for their health and get checked sooner.”
— Gal Gadot, in a December 2024 Instagram post, as reported by BBC News (UK public broadcaster)
“I avoided political issues before October 7. After that, I felt I had to speak out about antisemitism.”
— Gal Gadot, quoted in The Times of Israel (Israeli newspaper)
“Gadot’s stance on Israel has been a recurring source of criticism in entertainment coverage.”
— BBC News analysis
Related reading: Margot Robbie
imdb.com, tiktok.com, abcnews.com, interviewmagazine.com, facebook.com, nbcnews.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Gal Gadot’s height?
1.78 m (5 ft 10 in).
What is Gal Gadot’s net worth?
Estimates vary widely, with most sources placing it between $10 million and $30 million.
What movies has Gal Gadot starred in?
Notable films include the Fast & Furious franchise, Wonder Woman, Red Notice, and Death on the Nile.
Who is Gal Gadot’s husband?
Yaron Varsano, an Israeli businessman she married in 2008.
How old is Gal Gadot?
39 years old (born April 30, 1985).
Does Gal Gadot have a Wikipedia page?
Yes, it is a comprehensive source for her biography and career.
What is Gal Gadot’s Instagram handle?
@galgadot, with 104 million followers.
Is Gal Gadot still married?
Yes, she is still married to Yaron Varsano.
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Kelowna Daily, covering breaking stories and community news across the Okanagan.