5 things you didn't know about Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot is the star who makes one wonder how she fits it all into one lifetime. A Miss Israel winner at 18, she was training soldiers in the Israeli military by 20, and by her mid-20s, she was speeding into Hollywood as Gisele Yashar in Fast & Furious. She lived the role by doing many of her own stunts, thanks to her combat training.

In 2016, Gadot put on a superhero suit and played the protagonist in Wonder Woman, which earned $822 million at the worldwide box office. According to Box Office Mojo, Fast & Furious 6 also raked in $788 million, and her Netflix film Red Notice broke streaming records.

Gal Gadot is married to Jaron "Yaron" Varsano in 2008, and they have four daughters. They run their own TV production company called Pilot Wave, which was founded in 2019.

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5 lesser-known things about Gal Gadot

1) She was crowned Miss Israel in 2004

Gal Gadot (Image via Getty/@Dia Dipasupil)

According to People Magazine, Gal Gadot won the Miss Israel pageant in 2004 at the age of 18. She initially entered the competition as a fun experience and had no expectations of winning, but her beauty and charm earned her the crown. She was Israel's representative for the Miss Universe pageant later that year. According to her, she was very uncomfortable with the spotlight and the traditional expectations of pageantry, so she took steps to avoid excelling in Miss Universe.

She reportedly arrived late to events, dressed casually when formal attire was expected, and even intentionally disregarded the competition’s rigorous demands.

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2) She served as a combat fitness instructor in the Israel Defense Forces

Gal Gadot at The Critics' Choice Awards (Image via Getty/@Christopher Polk)

At 20, Gal Gadot fulfilled Israel's mandatory military service by joining the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a combat fitness instructor. She trained soldiers in physical fitness and combat readiness, instilling discipline and resilience. Gadot spoke about a wish for a world without the need for armies but acknowledged the importance of contributing to her country.

In an interview with Glamour in 2016. Gadot said:

"In Israel, serving is part of being an Israeli. You’ve got to give back to the state."

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3) She was unaware she was auditioning for Wonder Woman

Gal Gadot at a Wonder Woman press event (Image via Getty/@Frazer Harrison)

In 2013, Gal Gadot auditioned for a role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice without knowing it was for Wonder Woman. Director Zack Snyder kept the characters' identities confidential during the casting process. Gadot recalled in a Variety Interview that Snyder asked her to do a camera test, which she found torturous due to the waiting and uncertainty.

To alleviate her anxiety, she played Beyoncé's music and danced to boost her confidence before the audition, which helped her relax and showcase her authentic self during the screen test. Her performance impressed Snyder, which led to her being cast as Wonder Woman.

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4) She performed her own stunts in the Fast & Furious series

Gadot (Image via Getty/@Theo Wargo)

In the Fast & Furious franchise, Gal Gadot portrayed Gisele Yashar, an ex-Mossad agent known for her combat skills. Her military background and expertise in weapons handling greatly contributed to her performance. Director Justin Lin cast Gadot, valuing her military experience, and she performed her own stunts in the films. In an interview with First We Feast and in their Hot Ones series, Gal Gadot said:

"Fast & Furious, every set piece that they have with the cars, trains, rockets, airplanes, all these different vehicles, are insane. It’s crazy."

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5) She improved her English by watching Friends

Gal Gadot (Image via Getty/@Rich Fury)

Gal Gadot has spoken about her proficiency in the English language, which was enhanced by watching American television shows like Seinfeld and Friends. She immersed herself in English-language media, improved her linguistic skills, and familiarized herself with American culture and humor.

In a 2017 interview with GQ, Gadot discussed her journey with English and her accent.

"I fought my accent for so long. Like, I gotta sound more American. I was a little bit shy about my accent. Until I let it go. My dialect coach told me, ‘As long as you’re clear and understood, own it.’ And since I’ve started to own it, I feel free." she said.

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Gal Gadot also starred in Heart of Stone, released on August 11, 2023.