First Lady of Israel

First Lady of Israel (Hebrew: בת הזוג של נשיא מדינת ישראל) is the unofficial title of the wife of the president of Israel. The current first lady of Israel is Michal Herzog, wife of President Isaac Herzog.

First Lady of Israel
בת הזוג של נשיא מדינת ישראל
Incumbent
Michal Herzog
since 7 July 2021
ResidenceBeit HaNassi
AppointerKnesset
Inaugural holderVera Weizmann
Formation17 February 1949

History edit

There is no official role or office of the first lady of Israel,[1] although President Reuven Rivlin bestowed the title of First Lady on his wife, Nechama Rivlin, shortly after taking office in 2014.[2][1]

First ladies of Israel edit

NamePortraitTerm beganTerm endedPresident of IsraelNotes
Vera Weizmann 17 February 19499 November 1952Chaim WeizmannWife of the first President of Israel. Born in the Russian Empire and immigrated to the United Kingdom.
Rachel Yanait Ben-Zvi 16 December 195223 April 1963Yitzhak Ben-ZviBorn in present-day Ukraine, Ben-Zvi was an author, educator and leading proponent of Labor Zionism.
Rachel Katznelson-Shazar 21 May 196324 May 1973Zalman Shazar
Nina Katzir 24 May 197329 May 1978Ephraim Katzir
Ofira Navon 29 May 19785 May 1983Yitzhak Navon
Aura Herzog 5 May 198313 May 1993Chaim HerzogFounder of the Council for a Beautiful Israel[3]
Reuma Weizman 13 May 199313 July 2000Ezer Weizman
Gila Katsav 1 August 20001 July 2007Moshe KatsavGila Katsav's tenure ended on July 1, 2007, when her husband resigned the presidency.[4]
Sonia Peres 15 July 200720 January 2011Shimon PeresSonia Peres, who was Polish-born, disliked the role of wife of a politician and public figure. Though the country's first lady, she and Shimon Peres became estranged circa 2008 over his decision to remain in public office during their later life; the couple lived apart for the remainder of their lives.[5][6] Sonia Peres died in role on January 20, 2011, at the age of 87.[5][7]
Position vacant20 January 201124 July 2014First Lady Sonia Peres had died on January 20, 2011, while Shimon Peres was still in office.
Nechama Rivlin 24 July 20144 June 2019Reuven RivlinNechama Rivlin was a researcher and scientist at Hebrew University. She died in role from complications of a lung transplant on June 4, 2019.[1]
Position vacant4 June 20197 July 2021First Lady Nechama Rivlin died on June 4, 2019.[1]
Michal Herzog 7 July 2021PresentIsaac HerzogFirst Lady Michal Herzog is a lawyer.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Cashman, Greer Fay (4 June 2019). "Nechama Rivlin, scientist, art lover, wife of president, passes away". Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 9 June 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  2. ^ "The First Lady: Nechama Rivlin". Office of the President of the State of Israel. Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  3. ^ Cashman, Greer Fay (25 April 2012). "All In The Family: The legacy of Labor MK Isaac Herzog runs deep". Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  4. ^ Meranda, Amnon (29 June 2007). "Katsav submits letter of resignation". Ynet. Archived from the original on 3 April 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  5. ^ a b Kaplan Sommer, Allison (26 January 2011). "Sonia Peres, Intensely Private Wife of Israel's President, Shunned the Spotlight". The Forward. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  6. ^ "Politics broke up my marriage, Peres says". Times of Israel. Associated Press. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  7. ^ "Sonia Peres, president's wife, dies at 87 in Tel Aviv". Jerusalem Post. 20 January 2011. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2019.