Bar Refaeli (, born June 4, 1985) is an
Israeli
model and occasional
actress, most known for her modeling work and for her relationship with
American actor Leonardo DiCaprio. She is the
cover model of the 2009
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.
Early life
Bar Refaeli was born in 1985 to a
Israeli Jewish family in
Hod HaSharon,
Israel. Her parents, Rafael and Tzipi, own a horse ranch. Her mother was a successful Israeli model in the 1970s, under her maiden name Tzipi Levine.
[DiCaprio, Rafaeli bring paparazzi out in force to Hod Hasharon][The 'uncomfortable' role model] Refaeli has three brothers. She began a modeling career at the age of eight months, appearing in commercials.
[Pop Culture Q&A] She had to wear braces in her early years, postponing her modeling. At age 15, Refaeli returned to modeling with the representation of
Irene Marie Models.
Career
Modeling career
Refaeli began her modeling career before the age of 8 months for a baby commercial.
[AskMen.com - Bar Refaeli (Profile)] By age 15, she was featured in campaigns for the fashion brands
Castro and
Pilpel, also starring in a commercial for Milki. Refaeli won the title "Model of The Year" in a beauty contest in 2000 and 2001. She was also chosen to be the home model of
Renuar fashion network and appeared in their summer 2002 and winter 2003 catalogs.
