Linor Abargil

Linor Abargil
Born	(1980-02-17) February 17, 1980 Netanya, Israel
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, actress, model, beauty pageant winner
Years active	1996–present
Known for	Miss World 1998 winner; advocate against sexual violence

Linor Abargil (, occasionally spelled Linor Aberjil; born on February 17, 1980) is an Israeli lawyer, actress, model, and beauty pageant winner who secured the Miss World 1998 crown shortly after surviving a sexual assault. Since that time, she has become an international voice against sexual violence. Her title was passed to her by Miss World 1997, Diana Hayden.

Biography

Abargil was born in Netanya, Israel, as the oldest child of Aliza and Jackie Abargil, descending from Moroccan-Jewish roots.

At the age of 16, she signed with the Look modeling agency and earned the "Discovery of the Year" award in 1997. By 18, she had won the Miss Israel competition and went on to represent Israel at the Miss World 1998 contest held in Seychelles.

Seven weeks prior to the pageant, Abargil endured a violent attack involving rape at knifepoint and stabbing by Uri Shlomo Nur, a travel agent based in Milan who had been recommended by her Italian modeling agency. During a car trip to Rome, Nur threatened her, committed rape, and attempted murder. She managed to escape and reported the incident to Italian law enforcement, although Nur was initially released and prosecution was declined.

Despite facing trauma and public pressure that complicated her responsibilities as Miss World, Abargil ultimately won the title. Dissatisfied with Italy’s lack of action, she turned to Israeli authorities. An arrest warrant led to Nur’s detention upon his return to Israel. He was found guilty of rape, sodomy, and abduction based on DNA evidence and received a 16-year prison sentence. Abargil actively opposed his early parole. By this point, she had established herself as a leading advocate encouraging survivors of assault to come forward.

Following her Miss World tenure, Abargil continued her international modeling career while studying acting at Beit Zvi School for the Performing Arts, performing in theater productions and television series. After choosing to adopt Orthodox Judaism in 2009—which marked the end of her modeling pursuits—she shifted her focus toward fighting sexual violence and enrolled in law studies at Netanya Academic College. She currently serves within the Tel Aviv District Attorney’s office.

Brave Miss World

In 2008, Abargil began production on the documentary Brave Miss World, directed by Cecilia Peck. The film documents her worldwide campaign against sexual violence, featuring her speeches and encounters with women sharing their personal stories. It also explores her own transformation—including embracing Orthodox faith, departing from modeling, advocating for her attacker’s continued imprisonment, completing legal education, and working for the District Attorney’s Office. The documentary features prominent figures such as Joan Collins and Fran Drescher recounting their experiences with assault. It concludes with Abargil returning to Italy to confront those responsible for exposing models to dangerous individuals and highlights her marriage, children, and spiritual development.

The documentary debuted on Israeli television in 2013, earning favorable critiques and being showcased at festivals across the United States and Europe. It received a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Documentary Film.

LYA fashion label

In 2017, Abargil collaborated with entrepreneur Yafit Attias to establish LYA, a fashion brand catering specifically to modesty requirements for religious women. The label’s name merges their initials and addresses a specialized segment within religious apparel.

Address at the United Nations Special Session

In December 2023, Linor spoke at a dedicated United Nations meeting focused on Sexual and gender-based violence in the October 7 attacks, 2023. She criticized global women's organizations for their lack of response regarding the sexual violence that occurred during the attacks, stressing the importance of raising awareness and giving a platform to those affected.

Personal life

Abargil's first marriage was to Lithuanian basketball athlete Šarūnas Jasikevičius near Barcelona in July 2006; the couple separated in 2008. She later wed manager Oron Calfon in 2010 and adopted Orthodox Judaism. She is a mother of four: twins born in 2012, followed by a daughter in 2013, and another daughter arriving in September 2019. Abargil earned her undergraduate law degree from Netanya Academic College and is a member of the Israeli Bar.