Shari Arison
Shari Arison | |
|---|---|
| Born | New York City, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Controlling Arison Investments; head of The Ted Arison Family Foundation; former majority shareholder of Bank Hapoalim and Shikun & Binui |
Shari Arison (; born ) is a businesswoman and philanthropist of Israeli nationality, originally from the United States. She controls Arison Investments, a conglomerate that includes multiple enterprises, and serves as the head of The Ted Arison Family Foundation, which oversees several charitable organizations. For 21 years, Arison was the majority shareholder of Bank Hapoalim until November 2018, when she divested her shares and stepped down from control. Additionally, she held ownership of Shikun & Binui for 22 years before transferring ownership to the Saidoff Group in August 2018.
In 2007, Forbes recognized her as the wealthiest woman in the Middle East and the sole female figure within the region's top 20 richest individuals. As of January 22, 2024, Forbes estimated her net worth at US$4.4 billion, placing her at 672nd worldwide and eighth among Israel's wealthiest people.
Early life
Born in New York City, Arison is the daughter of businessman Ted Arison, founder of Carnival Cruise Lines, and Mina Arison Sapir. She has an elder brother named Micky. Following her parents' divorce in 1966, she relocated to Israel with her mother, then returned to live with her father in the US at age 12. At 17, she moved back to Israel to serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Upon her father's death in 1999, she inherited 35 percent of his estate.
Career
In 2003, Arison encountered public backlash after Bank Hapoalim laid off approximately 900 employees. In March 2009, through her nonprofit organization Ruach Tova, she sponsored Israel's third annual "Good Deeds Day", which engaged thousands nationwide in volunteer activities. The event included a performance by a Palestinian youth orchestra for Holocaust survivors near Tel Aviv, drawing international media coverage despite facing criticism and controversy from local officials following the orchestra's return to Jenin.
Arison was honored in 2010 with the America–Israel Friendship League's Partners for Democracy award in recognition of her efforts to strengthen economic relations between Israel and the United States via business initiatives and philanthropic work.
Business activities
Arison's professional and charitable interests encompass:
- Arison Investments
- The Ted Arison Family Foundation
- Bank Hapoalim
- Shikun & Binui
- Goodnet.org — a digital platform delivering uplifting news content
Personal life
She has experienced three marriages and subsequent divorces. Her first spouse, Jose Antonio Sueiras, served as an officer on one of her father’s vessels; together they have three children. Her second marriage was to basketball player Miki Dorsman, with whom she has one child. Her third husband was Ofer Glazer.