Ehud Olmert Fast Facts - CNN

Ehud Olmert Fast Facts

Ehud Olmert became Israel's prime minister in 2006, succeeding  Ariel Sharon who suffered a massive stroke (file photo).

(CNN)Here's a look at the life of Ehud Olmert, former prime minister of Israel.

Personal

Birth date: September 30, 1945
    Birth place: Binyamina, British Mandate Palestine (now Israel)
      Birth name: Ehud Olmert
      Father: Mordechai Olmert, member of the Knesset
      Mother: Bella Olmert
        Marriage: Aliza Olmert, artist and playwright
        Children: two sons: Ariel and Shaul, and three daughters: Dana, Michal and Shuli
        Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, B.A., 1968 (psychology and philosophy), Hebrew University of Jerusalem, L.L.B., 1973 (law)
        Military service: Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Combat Infantry Unit Officer
        Religion: Jewish

        Other Facts

        Olmert grew up in Nahalat Jabotinsky, a village that was later incorporated into Binyamina.
        Elected mayor of Jerusalem in 1993; Olmert defeated Teddy Kollek with 59% of the vote. Kollek had been mayor since 1965.
        He was successfully treated for prostate cancer in 2007.

        Timeline

        1971 - Completes military service in the IDF as a military correspondent for the journal "Bamachane."
        1973 - Becomes the youngest person ever elected to the Knesset.
        1975-1978 - Practices law in a private firm.
        1988-1990 - Olmert is appointed Minister without Portfolio, responsible for minority affairs, by Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir.
        1990-1992 - Minister of Health.
        1993-2003 - Mayor of Jerusalem.
        1998 - Resigns from the Knesset, in keeping with an amendment to the Basic Laws of Israel that forbids Knesset members from holding other public offices.
        February 2003 - Is re-elected to the Knesset and named Vice Prime Minister. Olmert is also named Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor.
        August 9, 2003-January 10, 2005 - Minister of Communication.
        August 9-November 7, 2005 - Acting Minister of Finance, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu.
        November 7, 2005 - Olmert is appointed Minister of Finance.
        November 2005 - Leaves the Likud party and joins Ariel Sharon to form the new Kadima Party.
        January 5, 2006 - Is named Acting Prime Minister after Sharon suffers a stroke.
        March 28, 2006 - The Kadima party wins the largest number of parliamentary seats, ensuring that Olmert will be the next Prime Minister.
        May 4, 2006 - Is sworn in as the 12th Prime Minister of Israel.
        May 26, 2006 - Addresses a joint meeting of the US Congress.
        May 2008 - Israeli newspapers report that investigators have launched a probe into whether Olmert received money illegally while in office.
        September 18, 2008 - Tzipi Livni becomes the leader of the Kadima Party.
        September 21, 2008 - Resigns shortly after police recommend charges in corruption probes.
        January 5, 2012 - While on trial for fraud and breach of trust, Olmert is indicted for bribery in a separate case. The charge is related to three real estate projects, including a controversial housing development in Jerusalem called Holyland. The scandal becomes known as the Holyland affair.
        August 6, 2014 - The Supreme Court orders a retrial in the Rishon Tours/Talansky case, as new evidence emerges, enabling prosecutors to challenge Olmert's acquittals on corruption charges in 2012.
        March 30, 2015 - Olmert is convicted of fraud and breach of trust in the retrial of the Rishon Tours/Talansky case. His total prison sentence for the Talansky/Rishon Tours case and the Holyland Affair is 27 months.
        February 15, 2016 - Olmert arrives at prison.
          September 3, 2020 - "Honorable Men," a documentary about Olmert, premieres at Tel Aviv's DocAviv documentary film festival.
          May 6, 2021 - Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's family sue Olmert for defamation. On November 21, 2022, a judge rules against Olmert and orders him to pay damages.