Golda Meir, the first woman to be elected Prime Minister of Israel, was a woman of strong character known for her candor and forthrightness. As an active Zionist, she was devoted to everything in which she became involved. Prior to her election as Prime Minister, she held a number of positions in the Israeli government, including those of Labor Minister and Foreign Minister. A formidable personality, she was dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’ of Israeli politics; former Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion dubbed her ‘the best man in the government.’ She was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States with her family due to political tensions and dangers in their homeland. She exhibited leadership qualities from an early age, and while still in school, she founded the American Young Sisters Society. Additionally, she became aware of women’s suffrage, trade unionism, and, most significantly, the Zionist movement. As a young woman, she moved to Palestine and became actively involved in the country’s politics. She was one of the twenty-four signatories to the Israeli Declaration of Independence, which established the State of Israel as a separate entity. After decades of dedicated political work, she was appointed Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, becoming the country’s first female leader.
Childhood & Adolescence
She was born in the Russian Empire to Blume Neiditch and Moshe Mabovitch. Her father was self-employed as a carpenter. She was survived by two sisters and several other siblings who perished during her childhood. She was inseparable from her sister Sheyna.
In 1903, her father immigrated to the United States in search of work. He arranged for his family to join him after saving some money.
Golda attended Milwaukee’s Fourth Street Grade School from 1906 to 1912. She was an exceptionally capable student who exhibited exceptional leadership qualities for her age. She graduated as the class valedictorian.
When she was 14, she attended North Division High School and worked part-time. Her mother pressed her to abandon her studies and marry. She traveled alone to Denver to live with her sister Sheyna and her husband, despite her refusal to do so.
She continued her education and earned a diploma in 1915. She also became an active member of Young Poale Zion, the Labor Zionist youth movement, during this time period.
During 1916-17, she attended the teachers college Milwaukee State Normal School to prepare for a career in teaching.
Career of Golda
She began her career as a teacher in Milwaukee public schools by accepting a position at a Folks Schule for Yiddish-speaking students. During her time here, she developed a stronger affinity for Labor Zionism’s ideals.
In 1921, she married Morris Meyerson and relocated to Palestine to join a kibbutz. Her responsibilities on the kibbutz included tree planting, almond picking, and kitchen management.
She was a capable woman who effectively handled all of her responsibilities.
She was chosen to represent the kibbutz at the Histadrut, the General Federation of Labor. After a brief hiatus to raise her children, she rejoined the Histadrut in 1928 and was elected secretary of the organization’s Council for Women Workers.
By the 1930s, she was leading a very public life. She joined the Histadrut’s Executive Committee and quickly rose to the position of head of its political department.
In June 1946, the British government launched a crackdown on the Zionist movement in Palestine, arresting several Yishuv leaders.
She was appointed acting head of the Jewish Agency’s Political Department and served as the primary negotiator between Palestinian Jews and the British Mandatory authorities.
In 1948, she traveled to the United States and raised $50,000,000 from the American Jewish community for the purpose of purchasing arms for the newly established State of Israel.
On 14 May 1948, she was one of the 24 signatories to the Israeli Declaration of Independence. The following day, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq launched an attack on Israel in what would become known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Israel successfully repelled the combined Arab attack.
She was appointed Israel’s minister plenipotentiary to the Soviet Union in September 1948 and served until March 1949.
She placed a premium on maintaining cordial relations with the Soviet Union, despite the fact that relations between the two countries were complicated by the Soviet Union’s anti-religious and anti-nationalist policies.
Meir was elected Minister of Labour in 1949 and served in that position until 1956. She pioneered welfare state policies and oversaw the establishment of significant residential and infrastructure projects.
Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion admired the tenacious lady and appointed her Foreign Minister in 1956. She advocated for establishing ties with newly established African states, believing that Israel could serve as a role model for these new nations in terms of nation-building.
In the early 1960s, she was diagnosed with lymphoma and decided to retire from politics in 1966 for health reasons. In 1969, Prime Minister Levi Eshkol died unexpectedly, forcing Meir to resign and assume the office.
She was Israel’s Prime Minister from March 1969 to 1974. During this time period, she met with several world leaders to promote her vision of Middle East peace.
The Yom Kippur War, fought in October 1973 by the combined armies of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria against Israel, was a significant event during her tenure.
The Meir government came under fire for failing to forecast the impending war and for being unprepared. Despite the fact that Israel won with American assistance, Meir had lost the people’s trust.
Although her party won the December 1973 elections, she chose not to serve as Prime Minister. In April 1974, she resigned.
Significant Works of Golda
Golda Meir was a prominent Israeli politician who served as Labor Minister and Foreign Minister before being elected as Israel’s fourth Prime Minister.
She was Israel’s first female Prime Minister and was dubbed the ‘Iron Lady’ due to her tenacity and determination. Additionally, she and 23 other members signed the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948.
Awards and Accomplishments
In 1974, the American Whig–Cliosophic Society at Princeton University presented her with the James Madison Award for Distinguished Public Service.
In 1975, she received the Israel Prize for her extraordinary contribution to society and the State of Israel.
Personal History and Legacies
Morris Meyerson, a sign painter, married her in 1917, and the couple had two children. However, the marriage broke down as Golda became more involved in her political career. However, the couple never divorced.
In the 1960s, she was diagnosed with lymphoma. Despite her failing health, she assumed the position of Prime Minister. She resigned as Prime Minister in 1974 and died of cancer in 1978.
Estimated Net Worth
Golda is one of the wealthiest world leaders and is ranked as the world’s most popular leader. According to our analysis, Golda Meir’s net worth is approximately $18 million, as reported by Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.
Trivia
Anne Bancroft portrayed this strong woman in the Broadway play ‘Golda’ in 1977. This Israeli politician was the subject of the 1982 television film ‘A Woman Called Golda.’