Yaron Varsano: The man behind Gal Gadot

Behind every superstar is a steadfast supporter, and for Gal Gadot, that’s Yaron Varsano—the man who has quietly fueled her rise to global stardom. As Gadot became the first Israeli to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it was Varsano, her husband of 17 years, who earned heartfelt praise from the stage. "This is yours as much as it’s mine," she told him, spotlighting the 50-year-old Dutch-born entrepreneur whose unwavering belief and partnership have been the backbone of her extraordinary journey.

Varsano, seated with their four daughters—Alma, Maya, Daniela, and Ori—watched with visible emotion as Gadot, 39, called him "my rock, my firefighter, my best friend." Her words painted a picture of a man whose steady presence has anchored her through two decades of love and ambition. "Yaron always reminded me to dream and be free to do what I want," she said, a testament to his role as her greatest cheerleader.

Born in the Netherlands, Varsano was already a successful real estate mogul when he met Gadot at a party in 2006. Their connection was instant. "Something magical happened the moment we started talking," Gadot recalled in a 2020 Vogue interview. By 2008, they were married, embarking on a partnership that would redefine both their lives.

Varsano’s own achievements are impressive. Before Hollywood, he built a thriving real estate empire, including the Varsano Hotel in Tel Aviv, co-founded with his brother Guy. But in 2017, as Gadot’s career skyrocketed with Wonder Woman, he made a bold pivot—selling his holdings to join her in Los Angeles, where she was pregnant with their third child. "You’re an entrepreneur—produce movies," she urged, igniting his transition into a successful producer. Together, they launched Pilot Wave in 2019, a production company now behind some of Hollywood’s most anticipated projects.

"I ground him, and he lifts me up," Gadot has said of their dynamic, but it’s Varsano’s adaptability that stands out. "We find a perfect balance between privacy and the paparazzi," she noted, crediting his ability to navigate their high-profile life while keeping family first. From real estate titan to Hollywood power player, he’s matched her step for step, co-managing a global career with a grounded home life.

Varsano’s pride in Gadot is palpable. "I’m fortunate to be married to a strong, independent woman," he wrote in a past International Women’s Day post. "She’s my partner, my friend, my lover—she helps me become a better version of myself." He’s called their relationship a model of "equality and mutual respect," where "her dreams are as important as mine."

When Gadot accepted her star, his quiet strength was on full display—a man who swapped the wild rock-star days of his youth, as he once joked, for a legacy of love and collaboration.

Israel Hayom contributed to this article.