8 things you didn’t know about Golda Meir: The Iron Lady of the Middle East

A lot has been said about this wonderful woman. Almost the entire world has heard her name and, at least, one of the stories involving her strong personality, praiseworthy ideas, and phenomenal public speeches.

Golda Meir is not only one of the most transcendental personalities in the history of Israel, but she also occupies an important place in the history of feminism, being one of the first women to hold the role of Prime Minister, in the entire world.

Although Sirimavo Bandaranaike was the first woman to be Prime Minister (not in Israel, though), Golda Meir became well known all over the world for her strong attitude that gave her the international name of “The Iron Lady of the Middle East”. But she wasn’t only that… Golda Meir was also a passionate fighter for social justice. The perfect mix, isn’t it?

But, there are a few facts that you – most likely – don’t know about Israel’s Iron Lady. In this short, but interesting article we would like to give you a few insights to expand your mind, and some information about Golda Meir you had no idea about!

The formal story you can find anywhere, but these cool and somehow hidden facts… well, enjoy them right here and right now!

Things you didn’t know about Israel’s Iron Lady…

The history of Golda Meir is long, amazing, and surprising. There are several facts not everybody knows about and we’d like to share them with you. Now, you can play the smart guy with your friends and family and share these curious facts about Golda Meir in your next brunch or dinner. What do you say?

1. Golda Meir was born Golda Mabovitch, in 1898 in Kiev, when she got married, she adopted her husband’s last name: Meyerson. She and her husband Morris changed their last name to Meir to make it sound more Israeli. But she wasn’t the only one! Just so you know, David Ben-Gurion’s original name was David Grün.

2. Before being fully in politics, Golda Meir was a teacher and an important personality in her Kibbutz. She was always into education, and understood the importance of it before, after, and during holding the office of Prime Minister.

3. She was the fourth woman in the entire world to be Prime Minister, and Israel’s first and only (at least until now).

4. Actress Ingrid Bergman portrayed Golda Meir in the international film “A Woman Called Golda”. The film was made in 1982 for American television, and was directed by Mr. Alan Gibson. Many of the scenes in the film were shot in Israel.

5. Singer and actress Barbara Streisand performed the Israeli national anthem to Golda Meir in a concert. The interesting fact here is, that Golda did not attend the concert, and the two of them connected via video-conference in 1978! Here’s that magical moment, and that spectacular interpretation of the HaTikva.

6. She was born in Kiev, yes. But as a child she emigrated to the United States, and after joining a Zionist youth movement. She moved to Israel together with her husband Morris in 1921, directly to a kibbutz, where she proved to everyone that she was someone that came to get any job done!

7. Actress Lynn Cohen also portrayed Golda in the film Munich, directed by Steven Speilberg. The film received five Oscar nominations. If you want to better understand Golda’s personality, you must watch this impeccable interpretation.

8. Golda Meir passed away in December of 1978. She has lots of friends and supporters, but also many people who didn’t believe in her ideas or practices. She might have been called names and adjectives by those adversaries, but no one ever could call her weak. Golda was, and will always be The Iron Lady of the Middle East.

Learn Hebrew today!

Would you like to also leave a legacy in Israeli politics? The first step is to learn some Hebrew. Don’t waste any more time and start mastering the language that Eliezer Ben Yehuda revitalized, today.

Who knows? You might become the next Prime Minister of Israel, or at least, have a spectacular time on your next vacation in Tel Aviv. Now, it is up to you!

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