Shari Arison (Hebrew: born September 9, 1957) is an Israeli entrepreneur and philanthropist, originally from the United States. She ranks among the richest females in the Middle East. Arison acquired a substantial portion of her father, Ted Arison’s, business empire, including Carnival Cruise Lines and Bank Hapoalim, Israel’s largest financial institution. Through her enterprise, Arison Investments, she has maintained significant stakes in sectors such as banking, construction, shipping, and real estate.
Arison was the principal shareholder of Bank Hapoalim for two decades, starting to diminish her ownership in 2018 and divesting her final major shares by 2020. She also directed Shikun & Binui, a prominent Israeli construction and infrastructure firm, for 22 years before transferring it to the Saidoff Group in August 2018. Arison founded and oversees The Ted Arison Family Foundation, which supports various charities focused on education, health, social welfare, the arts, and the environment both in Israel and internationally.
Here is a brief summary of essential details regarding Shari Arison:
| Full Name | Shari Arison |
| Date of Birth | September 9, 1957 |
| Age (as of January 2026) | 68 years old |
| Birthplace | New York City, United States |
| Nationality | American (by birth), Israeli (since childhood) |
| Children | Four (from two marriages) |
| Most Recent Known Net Worth | $4.3–$4.6 billion (Forbes estimate, January 2026) |
| Primary Business Vehicle | Arison Investments (private holding company) |
| Major Past Holdings | Controlling interest in Bank Hapoalim (sold 2018–2020); Shikun & Binui (sold 2018) |
| Key Philanthropy | The Ted Arison Family Foundation; Goodnet.org; Ruach Tova (Good Deeds Day) |
Shari Arison Biography Update
Shari Arison was born on September 9, 1957, in New York City, the daughter of Ted Arison, the founder of Norwegian Caribbean Lines (later Carnival Cruise Line), and Mina Arison Sapir. She has an older brother, Micky Arison, who became the chairman of Carnival Corporation. In 1966, her parents divorced, and Shari relocated to Israel with her mother at the age of nine. At 12, she returned to the United States to reside with her father. Five years later, at 17, she came back to Israel to enlist in the Israel Defence Forces. Following her father’s passing in 1999, she inherited 35% of his estate, which included significant stakes in Carnival and other assets.
Shari Arison gained prominence in the Israeli business realm in the early 2000s after seizing control of her inherited shares in Bank Hapoalim. She was the primary shareholder from 1997 until 2018 when she began to sell her shares due to regulatory shifts and business decisions. By 2020, she no longer held a controlling stake. She also owned a significant portion of Shikun & Binui, a major Israeli construction firm, from the early 1990s until selling it to the Saidoff Group in August 2018.
Through Arison Investments, her private holding firm, she has ventured into real estate, shipping, technology, and other industries. She established Goodnet.org, an online platform dedicated to sharing “good news” stories and initiatives with social impact. Furthermore, she has been a longstanding supporter of Ruach Tova, which organizes Israel’s yearly Good Deeds Day, a nationwide volunteering event she was instrumental in launching in 2007. In March 2009, Good Deeds Day received international attention when a Palestinian youth orchestra performed for Holocaust survivors near Tel Aviv, an event that sparked both acclaim and controversy in the region.
Arison has earned numerous accolades, such as the America–Israel Friendship League’s Partners for Democracy Award in 2010 for her contributions to enhancing U.S.–Israel economic relations. She is known for maintaining a discreet public image, rarely giving interviews, and prioritizing her family and philanthropic work over media engagements. As of January 2026, she continues to oversee Arison Investments and the Ted Arison Family Foundation from her residences in Israel and abroad. No significant new business transactions or public disputes have been reported in 2025.
Daughter
Shari Arison has four offspring from two marriages. From her first marriage to José Antonio Sueiras, she has three children; from her second marriage to Miki Dorsman, one. The children’s identities are not widely disclosed.
Business
Shari Arison’s professional journey revolves around Arison Investments, her private holding firm, which has made investments in banking, real estate, construction, shipping, technology startups, and social-impact initiatives. Significant past and current holdings include:
- Bank Hapoalim – Israel’s largest financial institution; she was the controlling shareholder from 1997 until divesting the last notable portion of her stake by 2020.
- Shikun & Binui – A leading Israeli construction and infrastructure company; she held control for 22 years until selling to the Saidoff Group in August 2018.
- Carnival Corporation – inherited a stake from her father, Ted Arison; much of this interest was managed or liquidated over the years.
- Goodnet.org – an online platform she created to advocate for positive news and social welfare.
- Ruach Tova – nonprofit behind Good Deeds Day, Israel’s annual national volunteering campaign.
Arison has also financed technology and innovation ventures in Israel, but she keeps most of her current holdings confidential. As of 2026, Arison Investments remains active across various assets, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and community-oriented projects.
Children
Shari Arison is the mother of four children from two marriages:
From her first marriage to José Antonio Sueiras, she has three children; from her second marriage to Miki Dorsman, one. The children’s names are not widely publicized.
Net Worth
As of January 2026, Forbes estimates Shari Arison’s personal net worth at $4.3 to $4.6 billion (USD).
