Nadav Ben-Yehuda stands as one of Israel’s most celebrated mountaineers and humanitarian heroes. Moreover, his story transcends athletic achievement to embody the values of courage, sacrifice, and the sanctity of human life. Therefore, when he was just 300 meters from conquering Mount Everest—on the verge of becoming the youngest Israeli to reach the world’s highest summit—he made a life-changing decision that would define his legacy.
Nadav Ben-Yehuda Biography / Wiki
Who is Nadav Ben-Yehuda?
Nadav Ben-Yehuda is an Israeli mountain climber, search and rescue professional, photographer, and motivational speaker. Furthermore, he is the first Israeli to summit Mount Annapurna I, the world’s deadliest mountain. In addition, he has climbed more 8,000-meter peaks than any other Israeli mountaineer.
However, he is best known globally for his heroic 2012 Mount Everest rescue. Moreover, he sacrificed his lifelong dream to save a Turkish climber’s life, earning him the Israeli Presidential Medal of Honor. Consequently, his story has inspired millions worldwide about choosing humanity over personal glory.
Nadav Ben-Yehuda Age – How Old is He?
Nadav Ben-Yehuda was born on February 29, 1988, making him 37 years old as of January 2026. Moreover, being born on a leap day means he technically celebrates actual birthdays only every four years. Furthermore, he was 24 years old during his famous Everest rescue in 2012
Early Life and Background
Nadav Ben-Yehuda grew up in Rehovot, Israel, where he developed a passion for extreme sports from a young age. Moreover, he was particularly drawn to parkour and mountaineering. Furthermore, as a young man, he pursued law studies while simultaneously training for high-altitude climbing expeditions.
In addition, his Israeli upbringing instilled strong values of community responsibility and helping others. Therefore, these principles would later guide his most consequential decision on Mount Everest.
Nadav Ben-Yehuda Education
During his early twenties, Nadav Ben-Yehuda was a law student. However, his passion for mountaineering eventually overshadowed his legal studies. Moreover, he chose to pursue climbing professionally rather than complete his law degree. Consequently, he developed expertise in high-altitude mountaineering, search and rescue operations, and mountain photography.
The Defining Moment: 2012 Mount Everest Rescue
The Climb to Destiny
In May 2012, 24-year-old Nadav embarked on his lifelong dream to summit Mount Everest. Moreover, he was positioned to become the youngest Israeli ever to reach the world’s highest peak and only the fifth Israeli to achieve this feat. Furthermore, he was just 300 meters—roughly 15 minutes of climbing—from the summit.
However, the 2012 climbing season proved exceptionally deadly. Moreover, 11 climbers died on Everest during that spring season. Furthermore, Nadav passed two deceased climbers tied to the same ropes he used, their bodies frozen in place as others simply stepped over them to continue upward.
The Life-or-Death Choice
During his ascent, Nadav discovered a Turkish climber named Aydin Irmak lying unconscious on the ice. Moreover, Irmak had lost his gloves, his oxygen was depleted, and his helmet was missing. Furthermore, he appeared to be dying, and other climbers simply passed him by without stopping.
Nadav faced an impossible choice. Moreover, he could continue 300 meters to achieve his lifelong dream—becoming the youngest Israeli to summit Everest—which would significantly boost his climbing career. However, he chose the harder path: turning his back on glory to attempt rescuing a dying stranger.
The Heroic Rescue
Nadav immediately began the grueling rescue operation. Moreover, he removed his own gloves to better handle Irmak, exposing his hands to extreme frostbite conditions. Furthermore, he carried the heavy, unconscious man down the treacherous mountain.
The rescue took enormous physical toll on Nadav. Moreover, he suffered severe injuries, including serious concerns about potential amputation of his right hand fingers due to frostbite. However, after reaching camp, both men were evacuated by helicopter to Kathmandu and hospitalized.
Consequently, the rescue ended successfully with both men alive. Therefore, Nadav’s sacrifice saved Aydin Irmak’s life at tremendous personal cost.
Nadav Ben-Yehuda Achievements
Major Mountaineering Accomplishments
Nadav Ben-Yehuda has achieved remarkable feats in high-altitude mountaineering:
8,000-Meter Peaks
- First Israeli to summit Mount Annapurna I (8,091m) – May 1, 2016
- Mount Cho Oyu (8,206m) – 2014
- Mount Manaslu (8,163m) – September 2017 (fast ascent without supplemental oxygen)
- Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m) – Attempted May 2018 (injured below summit)
Other Notable Climbs
- Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa’s highest peak) – January 2015
- Mount Kazbek (Caucasus) – September 2012
- Mount Elbrus (First Israeli winter ascent at -58°C)
- Pyrenees highest peaks – October 2012
Rescue Operations and Humanitarian Work
Beyond personal climbing achievements, Nadav has dedicated himself to saving lives:
Nepal Disaster Relief (2014)
- Called by Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs during Cyclone Hudhud snowstorm
- Led rescue missions during disaster that killed 43 people
- Coordinated search efforts for missing Israelis
Nepal Earthquakes (2015)
- Coordinated rescue missions after major earthquakes
- Filled key positions in international investigation
- Worked with Israeli Embassy for humanitarian support
Bus Accident Rescue (2014)
- Sent by Israeli Embassy for rescue at bus crash site
- Accident resulted in 14 deaths including two Israeli women
Records and Special Achievements
- Israeli skyscraper climbing record: 19,721 stairs climbing Moshe Aviv Tower 13 consecutive times (March 2012)
- Highest chess game in history
- Best Athlete Award in Alpine climbing by Israeli Association for Non-Olympic Competitive Sports (2014)
Awards and Recognition
Presidential Medal of Honor – Awarded by Israeli President Shimon Peres for Everest rescue
FIU Medallion of Courage – For heroic rescue actions
Forbes 30 Under 30 – Selected in February 2017 as one of most influential people under 30
Nadav Ben-Yehuda Wife and Family
Lena Ben Yehuda Malenkovich
Nadav Ben-Yehuda wife is Lena Ben Yehuda Malenkovich. Moreover, their love story includes one of the most romantic proposals imaginable.
In January 2015, Nadav climbed Mount Kilimanjaro with his then-girlfriend Lena. Furthermore, upon reaching the summit of Africa’s highest mountain, he proposed marriage to her. Consequently, they married later that same year in 2015.
As of 2026, they have been married for approximately 11 years, having known each other for about 14 years total. Moreover, Lena describes their relationship as “10 years of friendship, 7 years of marriage” in a recent Facebook post.
Children
Nadav and Lena are proud parents of three children:
- Adam
- Michael
- Alma Tamar
Moreover, Nadav’s Facebook bio describes him as “Father to Adam, Michael and Alma Tamar, Husband to Lena, Inspired by mountains”. Furthermore, they have been parents for almost 3 years based on recent social media posts.
The 2018 Kangchenjunga Tragedy
In May 2018, Nadav faced another life-threatening situation. Moreover, while attempting to climb Mount Kangchenjunga (the third highest mountain) without supplemental oxygen, he fell and sustained severe injuries below the summit.
Furthermore, he was initially considered dead and spent an entire night and day alone in extreme conditions above 8,000 meters. However, he was identified the next day and rescued with severe frostbite and serious injuries. Consequently, this incident required years of recovery.
Current Work and Legacy
Professional Speaking
Nadav Ben-Yehuda now works as a motivational speaker, sharing his extraordinary story worldwide. Moreover, he speaks on topics including:
- Leadership and decision-making under pressure
- The value of human life over personal achievement
- Overcoming extreme adversity
- Search and rescue operations
- Mountain safety
Photography and Consultation
In addition to speaking, Nadav works as a professional photographer specializing in mountain and adventure photography. Furthermore, he serves as a consultant on mountaineering and search-and-rescue operations.
Values and Philosophy
Nadav’s life philosophy centers on choosing humanity over personal glory. Moreover, he stated about his Everest decision: “I was faced with a choice – to be the youngest Israeli to climb Everest, which would be great for my career, or to try to take a climber off the mountain – I chose the second option and I managed to do it”.
Furthermore, his story exemplifies Jewish values of cherishing and protecting life above all else. Therefore, his sacrifice on Everest has become a powerful example taught globally about moral courage and humanitarian action.
