Israeli Woman Marries First Husband at 57 After Reconnecting Decades Later

Orna Nissenbaum, a 57-year-old assistant director from Tel Aviv, recently married Arnon Warvitzky, a hotel receptionist, marking her first marriage. Despite long relationships and marriage proposals in her life, Orna chose to remain authentic and wait for the right partner. She initially met Arnon at age 18 during their military service; he was a Maglan commando and she was an infantry soldier. Their brief two-month relationship ended as Orna sought more life experiences and moved abroad.

After years in Canada and London, where she pursued film production and had a long-term relationship, Orna returned to Israel focusing on her career. At 40, she desired children and attempted to conceive alone but was unsuccessful. Eleven years ago, Arnon unexpectedly contacted her via Facebook after nearly 30 years, sparking renewed contact. Their first meeting after reconnecting lasted eight hours, and gradually they became a couple, moving in together within six months.

Arnon, who had lived in Mexico for nearly 20 years working as a model and had never wanted children, faced chronic illness and returned to Israel. Orna was transparent about her wish to have children, and although she became pregnant once, it ended in miscarriage. In July 2025, on Orna's birthday, Arnon proposed quietly in a Jerusalem hotel room, inspired by witnessing her distress during the Iran war and wanting to make her happy.

They married last month in an intimate ceremony filled with love. Orna's parents had passed away, but she felt their presence, honoring her mother with a favorite song and purple flowers. Though she never became a mother, Orna holds no regrets and believes every experience led her to this moment. She advises staying true to oneself, resisting social pressure, and continuing to believe in love.