Who Is Menachem Begin? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Menachem Begin, born on August 16, 1913, served as the Prime Minister of Israel from 1977 until 1983. A prominent figure in Israeli history, Begin is best known for his role in the peace process with Egypt, culminating in the Camp David Accords of 1978. He was the founder of the Likud party and played a significant role in shaping modern Israeli politics.
As of 2025, Menachem Begin would have been 112 years old, if he were still alive. His remarkable journey has left a lasting impact on both the state of Israel and international relations.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1913 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Brest, Grodno Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Israel |
| Date of death | 9 March, 1992 |
| Died Place | Tel Aviv, Israel |
Popularity
Menachem Begin's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Menachem Begin’s height and weight during his lifetime are sparse, he was often described as having a commanding presence. Over the years, various sources speculated that he stood approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall while presenting an authoritative image both in public and private life.
Begin quickly made a name for himself as a fierce critic of the dominant Zionist leadership for being too cooperative with the British, and argued that the only way to save the Jews of Europe, who were facing extermination, was to compel the British to leave so that a Jewish state could be established.
In 1942 he joined the Irgun (Etzel), an underground Zionist paramilitary organization which had split from the main Jewish military organization, the Haganah, in 1931. Begin assumed the Irgun's leadership in 1944, determined to force the British government to remove its troops entirely from Palestine.
The official Jewish leadership institutions in Palestine, the Jewish Agency and Jewish National Council ("Vaad Leumi"), backed up by their military arm, the Haganah, had refrained from directly challenging British authority.
They were convinced that the British would establish a Jewish state after the war due to support for the Zionist cause among both the Conservative and Labour parties.
Giving as reasons that the British had reneged on the promises given in the Balfour Declaration and that the White Paper of 1939 restricting Jewish immigration was an escalation of their pro-Arab policy, he decided to break with the official institutions and launch an armed rebellion against British rule, in cooperation with Lehi, another breakaway
Zionist group.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Menachem Begin was married to Aliza Begin, and together they had three children: two sons and a daughter. The couple shared a deep bond, and Aliza was a significant supporter of Menachem's political career until her passing in 2016. While Menachem is not known to have had any romantic relationships outside of his marriage, his family remains an important part of his legacy, contributing to Israel's history and continuity.
Begin's most significant achievement as Prime Minister was the signing of a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979, for which he and Anwar Sadat shared the Nobel Peace Prize. In the wake of the Camp David Accords, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula, which had been captured from Egypt in the Six-Day War.
Later, Begin's government promoted the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Begin authorized the bombing of the Osirak nuclear plant in Iraq and the invasion of Lebanon in 1982 to fight PLO strongholds there, igniting the 1982 Lebanon War.
As Israeli military involvement in Lebanon deepened, and the Sabra and Shatila massacre, carried out by Christian Phalangist militia allies of the Israelis, shocked world public opinion, Begin grew increasingly isolated. As IDF forces remained mired in Lebanon and the economy suffered from hyperinflation, the public pressure on Begin mounted.
Depressed by the death of his wife Aliza in November 1982, he gradually withdrew from public life, until his resignation in October 1983.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing in 1992, Menachem Begin's estimated net worth was difficult to determine precisely, as much of his wealth was tied to his political career and public service. However, serving as Prime Minister, he would have received a government salary commensurate with his pivotal role in the country. Overall, Begin's contributions to the nation far exceeded monetary earnings, earning him a lasting legacy.
On 1 February 1944, the Irgun proclaimed a revolt. Twelve days later, it put its plan into action when Irgun teams bombed the empty offices of the British Mandate's Immigration Department in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa.
The Irgun next bombed the Income Tax Offices in those three cities, followed by a series of attacks on police stations in which two Irgun fighters and six policemen were killed. Meanwhile, Lehi joined the revolt with a series of shooting attacks on policemen. The Irgun and Lehi attacks intensified throughout 1944.
These operations were financed by demanding money from Jewish merchants and engaging in insurance scams in the local diamond industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Before becoming Prime Minister, Begin was a leader in the Irgun, a paramilitary organization that played a crucial role in Israel's fight for independence. Following the establishment of Israel in 1948, he shifted to a political career, founding the Likud party in 1973 and shifting Israeli politics toward a more right-wing ideology.
As Prime Minister, Begin was instrumental in signing a peace treaty with Egypt, earning him and Israeli President Anwar Sadat the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. After his tenure, Begin retired from political life, focusing on writing and reflecting on his experiences and ideologies.
Menachem Begin ( Menaḥem Begin, ; (Polish documents, 1931–1937); ; 16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992) was an Israeli politician, founder of both Herut and Likud and the sixth Prime Minister of Israel.
Social Network
Menachem Begin was not active on social media during his lifetime—given that platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram emerged long after his death. However, his legacy continues to be celebrated across various platforms, with institutions like the Menachem Begin Heritage Center showcasing his contributions and values.
After a year of a traditional cheder education Begin started studying at a "Tachkemoni" school, associated with the religious Zionist movement. In his childhood, Begin, like most Jewish children in his town, was a member of the Zionist scouts movement Hashomer Hatzair.
He was a member of Hashomer Hatzair until the age of 13, and at 16, he joined Betar. At 14, he was sent to a Polish government school, where he received a solid grounding in classical literature.
Education
Menachem Begin was educated in Poland, where he attended various institutions. He later graduated from the University of Warsaw with a degree in law. His education paved the way for his formidable career in law and politics, equipping him with the knowledge and strategic thinking that guided his actions in the formative years of Israel.
Yet the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War saw ensuing public disenchantment with the Alignment. Voices of criticism about the government's misconduct of the war gave rise to growing public resentment.
Personifying the antithesis to the Alignment's socialist ethos, Begin appealed to many Mizrahi Israelis, mostly first and second generation Jewish refugees from Arab countries, who felt they were continuously being treated by the establishment as second-class citizens.
His open embrace of Judaism stood in stark contrast to the Alignment's secularism, which alienated Mizrahi voters and drew many of them to support Begin, becoming his burgeoning political base.
In the years 1974–77 Yitzhak Rabin's government suffered from instability due to infighting within the labor party (Rabin and Shimon Peres) and the shift to the right by the National Religious Party, as well as numerous corruption scandals.
All these weakened the labor camp and finally allowed Begin to capture the center stage of Israeli politics.
Conclusion
Menachem Begin's life story is a testament to resilience, leadership, and vision. As one of the key architects of modern Israel, his influence remains relevant in discussions about peace and security in the Middle East. His legacy is honored in many places, reflecting the profound impact he made during his lifetime.
