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Shari ArisonThe richest citizen of Israel
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Shari Arison: Israel's Richest Citizen
Shari Arison, born in 1957 in New York, is the owner of several major companies, the largest of which is Hapoalim Bank. According to Forbes magazine, Shari is the wealthiest woman in the Middle East and the only woman to be included in the top 20 list. She is the daughter of businessman Ted Arison and has an older brother named Miki.
Early Life and Career
In 1966, Shari's parents divorced, and she made the decision to move with her mother to Israel. At the age of 12, Shari returned to the United States and lived with her father for some time before returning to Israel and enlisting in the Israeli Defense Forces. In 1999, her father passed away and left her 35% of his estate. Her estimated assets today amount to five billion dollars. Currently, her main focus is on Hapoalim Bank, which is quite popular in Israel. In addition, Shari Arison is a devoted mother of four children and has been married three times.
Hapoalim Bank
Hapoalim Bank has its own history. It was founded in 1921 by the World Zionist Organization and the Histadrut, a national trade union organization. The bank gradually grew and soon had several branches located in the United States (New York, Miami), Europe (Switzerland, Luxembourg), South America, and the Cayman Islands. Until 1983, the bank was owned by Histadrut, and after a crisis, it was sold to a group of investors led by Ted Arison. Since then, the bank has undergone restructuring, growth, and significant expansion, ultimately becoming one of the most prominent organizations in Israel. Several years ago, the bank and its branches employed 10,000 people.
Arison Holdings & Actions
The main organization is Arison Holdings & Actions, which is currently owned by Shari Arison. Despite her obvious success in business, Shari has also experienced failures. For example, in 2003, the Israeli businesswoman faced public outrage after 900 employees were laid off from Hapoalim Bank. Four years later, Shari faced another disappointment when her spouse was accused and found guilty of sexual harassment, resulting in a six-month prison sentence. However, despite the personal and professional setbacks, Shari continues to thrive.