“The Woman Behind the Pro-Israel Powerhouse”

Chosen for her extraordinary influence on American politics and the Jewish world: Dr. Miriam Adelson has spent decades using her resources, political access and philanthropic influence to strengthen Israel, defend the Jewish people and shape American policy toward the Jewish state.

This year, Adelson once again demonstrated that her influence extends far beyond philanthropy. In April, she injected $40 million into Republican efforts to maintain control of the U.S. House and Senate, including $30 million to the Senate Leadership Fund and $10 million to the Congressional Leadership Fund. Bloomberg reported that the contribution made her one of the most consequential individual donors in American politics.

The timing is significant. With the traditional bipartisan consensus supporting Israel increasingly fractured, Adelson has continued putting her political power behind candidates and organizations committed to maintaining strong U.S.-Israel ties.

Her influence also reaches directly into the American Jewish community. At the January 2026 Israeli-American Council National Summit, Adelson spoke about her approach to philanthropy and the importance of using her resources to strengthen Jewish causes. Explaining why she ultimately chose to make her giving public, she said:

If I gave my name, others would donate — so we surrendered.

But Adelson's impact cannot be measured only in dollars. Through the Adelson Family Foundation, Birthright Israel, the Israeli-American Council and other Jewish and Israeli causes, she has helped build institutions connecting American Jews to Israel, combating antisemitism and strengthening the Jewish people.

And her political influence has been recognized at the highest level. President Donald Trump has credited Adelson with helping shape major U.S. decisions affecting Israel, including the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

At a time when support for Israel in America is becoming increasingly contested, Miriam Adelson continues to use her money, political access and public influence to ensure that the pro-Israel voice remains powerful.

That is why Miriam Adelson is No. 6 on The 36.