Gila Golan

Gila Golan, born in 1940 in Krakow, Poland, is a distinguished former fashion model and actress from Israel. During the Holocaust, she was discovered as an infant left at a train station and was adopted by a Roman Catholic family. Following World War II, she immigrated to Israel, initially named Zusia Sobetzcki. She later became known as Miriam Goldberg and continued her education in an Orthodox girls' boarding school.

Golan's passion for fashion led her to undergo plastic surgery, which caught the attention of an American photographer. This newfound visibility propelled her into the spotlight, and she soon graced the pages of the Israeli magazine LaIsha. Her ascent in the fashion world culminated in a victory at the national fashion competition in 1960, where she was crowned Miss Israel. To shield her past from her conservative benefactors, she adopted the name Gila Golan. Representing Israel, she also secured second place at the Miss World competition, which opened doors for her in the United States.

Golan's film career was launched by director Stanley Kramer, who cast her as Elsa Lutz in the film Ship of Fools. She went on to appear in notable films such as Our Man Flint, Three on a Couch, and The Valley of Gwangi. Over the years, Golan experienced three marriages, resulting in several children. In recent times, she has returned to her religious roots and now operates an investment business.