Shari Arison
Encyclopedia
Shari Arison is an Israeli-American businesswoman and Israel
's wealthiest woman. She is the owner of several businesses, the largest among them Bank Hapoalim
.
According to Forbes
, she is the richest woman in the Middle East, and the only woman to be ranked in the region's top-20 richest people in 2007. As of 2011 Forbes estimated her fortune at US$5.1 billion, making her the 200th-wealthiest person in the world, and the third-wealthiest in Israel.
and Mina Arison Sapir. She has an older brother, Micky
. In 1966 her parents divorce
d, and she moved to reside with her mother in Israel. At the age of 12 she returned to the US to live with her father, and five years later she returned to Israel in order to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Arison is the mother of four children. She has been married three times, most recently to businessman Ofer Glazer. In 1999 Arison's father died, and bequeathed her 35 percent of his possessions. In 2003, she caused a big wave of protest after 900 workers were fired from Bank Hapoalim.
In 2005, she was voted the 56th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
In March 2009, Arison sponsored Israel
’s third annual “Good Deeds Day” in which her non-profit organization, Ruach Tova, inspired thousands of Israelis to get involved in volunteering across the country. As part of the event, which took place near Tel Aviv
, a Palestinian youth orchestra performed in an hour-long concert in honor of Holocaust survivors. They played classical Arabic tunes and songs of peace, but upon the group’s return to Jenin
, authorities condemned the orchestra’s leader for her so-called “exploitation of the children for political purposes.” The event garnered lots of media attention from around the world. Following the concert to celebrate “Good Deeds Day”, the orchestra conductor was expelled from her hometown of Jenin.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
's wealthiest woman. She is the owner of several businesses, the largest among them Bank Hapoalim
Bank Hapoalim
Bank Hapoalim is Israel’s largest bank. As of 31 December 2008 it had total consolidated assets of NIS 306.85 billion. The Bank has a significant presence in global financial markets. In Israel, the Group has over 260 full-service branches, eight regional business centers, and industry desks...
.
According to Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
, she is the richest woman in the Middle East, and the only woman to be ranked in the region's top-20 richest people in 2007. As of 2011 Forbes estimated her fortune at US$5.1 billion, making her the 200th-wealthiest person in the world, and the third-wealthiest in Israel.
Biography
Arison was born in New York, and is the daughter of the businessman Ted ArisonTed Arison
Ted Arison was an Israeli-American businessman who co-founded Norwegian Cruise Lines in 1966 with Knut Kloster and founded Carnival Cruise Lines in 1972....
and Mina Arison Sapir. She has an older brother, Micky
Micky Arison
Micky Arison is an Israeli-American businessman of Romanian Jewish ancestry, and Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Corporation, the world's largest cruise operator, and owner of the NBA's Miami Heat....
. In 1966 her parents divorce
Divorce
Divorce is the final termination of a marital union, canceling the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage and dissolving the bonds of matrimony between the parties...
d, and she moved to reside with her mother in Israel. At the age of 12 she returned to the US to live with her father, and five years later she returned to Israel in order to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces.
Arison is the mother of four children. She has been married three times, most recently to businessman Ofer Glazer. In 1999 Arison's father died, and bequeathed her 35 percent of his possessions. In 2003, she caused a big wave of protest after 900 workers were fired from Bank Hapoalim.
In 2005, she was voted the 56th-greatest Israeli of all time, in a poll by the Israeli news website Ynet
Ynet
Ynet is the most popular Israeli news and general content website. It is owned by the same conglomerate that operates Yediot Ahronot, the country's secondleading daily newspaper...
to determine whom the general public considered the 200 Greatest Israelis.
In March 2009, Arison sponsored Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
’s third annual “Good Deeds Day” in which her non-profit organization, Ruach Tova, inspired thousands of Israelis to get involved in volunteering across the country. As part of the event, which took place near Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
, a Palestinian youth orchestra performed in an hour-long concert in honor of Holocaust survivors. They played classical Arabic tunes and songs of peace, but upon the group’s return to Jenin
Jenin
Jenin is the largest town in the Northern West Bank, and the third largest city overall. It serves as the administrative center of the Jenin Governorate and is a major agricultural center for the surrounding towns. In 2007, the city had a population of 120,004 not including the adjacent refugee...
, authorities condemned the orchestra’s leader for her so-called “exploitation of the children for political purposes.” The event garnered lots of media attention from around the world. Following the concert to celebrate “Good Deeds Day”, the orchestra conductor was expelled from her hometown of Jenin.