Anecdotes

Being the last Prime Minister of Israel to be born in the diaspora, his family emigrated from Poland.

Was elected President of Israel on June 13, 2007. He is the first former Israeli Prime Minister to become Israeli President.

He is a relative of American actress Lauren Bacall. Both had the same original last name - Perske. The two are not first cousins, however, as has been commonly reported, and in a 2014 interview shortly after Bacall's death, Peres stated that he was unsure of their exact connection.

Awarded the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize, together with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat.

Member of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, for five different parties since 1959.

Held the following positions in Israeli government: Minister of Transportation, Minister of Cummunication, Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Minister without Portfolio, Minister of Defense, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Religious Affairs, Minister Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Information & Minister of Regional Cooperation.

Peres also served as Deputy Minister of Defense, Chairman of the Labour Party, Vice President of the Socialist International & as Temporary Speaker of the Knesset.

Authored 10 books, including: "Battling for Peace" (1995), "Entebbe Diary" (1991), "The New Middle East" (1993), "David's Sling" (1970) & "The Next Step" (1965).

Prime Minister of Israel from 1984 to 1986 and 1995 to 1996.

Was in the running for the presidency of Israel in the 2000 election, but Likud candidate Moshe Katsav won the seven-year term.

Has three children: Tzvia, Yoni and Chemi.

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama on 29 May 2012.

Awarded a Congressional Gold Medal (9 June 2014, Public Law 113-114; 128 Stat. 1178).

Pictured on a 2.40s Israeli commemorative postage stamp issued 12 September 2017.