Israeli Icon to Global Supermodel and Business Mogul

As of 2025, Bar Refaeli has an estimated net worth between $25 million and $30 million. Her wealth is the result of a multifaceted career that spans international modeling, television, business ventures, brand endorsements, and smart investments.

Bar has consistently ranked among the highest-paid models in Israel and has been a prominent figure in global fashion and beauty. She is known for capitalizing on her fame to build long-term revenue streams through entrepreneurial ventures and brand partnerships.

Major Sources of Her Net Worth:

Modeling Contracts: Long-standing relationships with luxury brands such as Chanel, Ralph Lauren, Escada, and Victoria’s Secret.
Media and TV: Hosting The X Factor Israel and the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.
Business Ventures: Co-founder of the underwear brand Under.me, and former stakeholder in Carolina Lemke sunglasses.
Real Estate: Owns high-value properties, particularly in Tel Aviv and other upscale areas of Israel.
Startup Investments: Early investor in Israeli tech startups like MyCheck, a mobile payment solution.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Bar Refaeli was born on June 4, 1985, in Hod HaSharon, a small city in Israel. Her mother, Tzipi Levine, was also a successful model in the 1970s, which played a huge role in Bar’s early entry into the industry. Refaeli began modeling before her first birthday, appearing in baby commercials. After a short break in childhood (due to orthodontic braces), she returned to modeling at age 15 and rapidly gained recognition.

At just 15, she was crowned Model of the Year in an Israeli fashion awards show, paving the way for international assignments. She signed with IMG Models, and her career took off.

Breakthrough and International Fame

Bar’s international breakthrough came when she was featured in the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, not only appearing but landing the coveted cover—a status symbol in the modeling world. That cover shot skyrocketed her fame in the U.S. and opened doors to global opportunities.

She appeared in campaigns and runway shows for:

Victoria’s Secret
Chanel
Escada
Ralph Lauren
Gap
Reebok

She also graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Maxim, Marie Claire, and GQ, solidifying her as one of the top supermodels of her generation.

Acting, Hosting, and TV Success

Bar expanded her career into television and film:

In 2005, she starred in the Israeli TV drama Pick Up.
In 2009, she co-hosted House of Style on MTV.
From 2013 onwards, she became the host of The X Factor Israel, showing her charisma and appeal beyond fashion.
In 2019, Bar co-hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, reaching a global audience of over 180 million viewers.

Her natural screen presence helped her transition smoothly into these roles, and she has been praised for her poise and fluency in English and Hebrew.

Entrepreneurship and Business Ventures

Bar Refaeli is known not only for her looks but also for her sharp business sense:

Under.me (Launched in 2011): A minimalist underwear and basics brand focused on comfort and everyday wear. The company attracted both fashion and investment attention.
Carolina Lemke: She owned 5% of this popular Israeli eyewear company and sold her stake for a reported $3 million in 2016.
Tech Investments: Bar has invested in several Israeli startups, including:
- MyCheck: A payment and loyalty app for restaurants, where she reportedly earned around $6 million from her investment.
- She has also supported green and sustainable fashion initiatives in recent years.

Real Estate Portfolio

Bar owns and co-owns multiple luxury properties in Israel. Her main residence is reportedly a luxury penthouse in Tel Aviv, which features top-of-the-line design, private security, and a rooftop garden.

She has also been involved in property development and investment, acquiring and selling several properties across prime real estate areas in Israel.

Personal Life

Bar married Adi Ezra, an Israeli businessman and heir to a food distribution empire, on September 24, 2015. The couple’s wedding took place in a lavish countryside setting in Israel.

Together, they have three children and live a relatively private, family-oriented life. Despite her fame, Bar has often spoken about prioritizing family over public exposure in recent years.

Legal Issues and Public Controversies

Bar has not been without controversy. She faced legal issues over tax evasion in Israel, with accusations centered around her residency status and undeclared earnings. In 2020, she was sentenced to nine months of community service, while her mother served prison time.

Despite this setback, Bar has maintained her public image and made a professional comeback through charity work and public appearances.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Bar Refaeli is widely regarded as Israel’s most internationally recognized supermodel. She has broken records, topped rankings (like Maxim’s Hot 100 in 2012), and remained a media icon in both the Middle East and the West.

She is often praised for:

Paving the way for Israeli models on the global stage.
Promoting Israeli fashion and talent abroad.
Combining beauty with business in a male-dominated entrepreneurial space.

Conclusion

Bar Refaeli is more than just a supermodel—she is a businesswoman, a mother, a national icon, and an international figure who has stood the test of time in one of the most competitive industries in the world. Her journey from baby model to multi-millionaire entrepreneur is a story of ambition, resilience, and reinvention.