Profile of Bar Refaeli - Leonardo DiCaprio's Israeli Model Girlfriend

Bar Refaeli has been a model since the age of eight months. Now Refaeli is generating a buzz as a top model and as Leonardo DiCaprio's girlfriend. Refaeli began her modeling career in her home country of Israel. She was featured in Sports Illustrated, making her the first Israeli model to do so. Refaeli has appeared in other men's interest magazines, such as Maxim and Italian GQ, and also in many women's fashion magazines. Bar Refaeli was named "Sexiest Import" by the 2007 Spike TV Guy's Choice Awards. In 2000 and 2001, when she was still only in her teens, she won "Top Model" in a beauty contest.

Refaeli represents the Israeli fashion labels Castro and Pilpel. Refaeli has modeled for those labels since the age of 15. Refaeli's other clients include top labels Ralph Lauren and Victoria's Secret.

Refaeli created some controversy in Israel by making comments about draft-dodging. The Jerusalem Post quoted her saying, "I don't regret not having been drafted into the army, because I made out big. Why is it good to die for one's country? Isn't it better to live in New York?" Military service is mandatory in Israel, but according to the article, more and more young people like Bar Refaeli are figuring out how to dodge the draft. Many of these youths include celebrities like Refaeli.

Despite the offensiveness of these comments in Israel, the Israeli media heavily covers the relationship between Refaeli and Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio traveled with his girlfriend to Jerusalem in early 2007. Refaeli and DiCaprio ran into some trouble with the media, and their body guards ended up punching some photographers and breaking their equipment in the ensuing scuffle.

AskMen.com, a popular website with articles on topics such as men's health, and dating advice for men, chose Refaeli as model of the week and posted a short biography. The 22 year old model was born on June 4, 1985. Refaeli's mother, Tsipi Refaeli, started off her modeling career by getting her hired for commercials. Apart from a break during her teen years when she had braces, Refaeli has been modeling ever since. Her beauty has never failed her in her attempt to find modeling work. AskMen.com quotes Refaeli as saying, "When I was 12, I had braces on my teeth for three years and couldn't work. As soon as I got them off, I went to a modeling agency in Israel and, in one week, started working." Before dating Leonardo DiCaprio, Bar Refaeli dated another actor, David Charvet.

Sources:

Bar Rafaeli Biography. http://www.celebrityhack.com.
Bar Rafaeli Biography. http://www.askmen.com
Associated Press. Bar Rafaeli doesn't regret draft dodging. Jerusalem Post. 2 October 2007.