Ofra Haza's Brother Recalls Family Estrangement and Secret Engagement
Nearly 25 years after Ofra Haza's death, her brother Yair revealed how family members hid her engagement from him, recounting an awkward first encounter with the groom.
The enduring mystery surrounding the tragic death of iconic Israeli singer Ofra Haza continues to captivate the public, nearly 25 years after her passing. In a special broadcast of Keshet 12's talk show, her brother Yair Haza opened up about the complex family dynamics, recalling the moment he unknowingly ordered his future brother-in-law to step aside during the engagement celebrations.
Recalling how the family deliberately excluded him from the engagement preparations, Yair shared the awkward encounter at the pre-wedding henna ceremony where Shimon Peres was in attendance. Not realizing who the man was, Yair told him to move aside so the bride could make her grand entrance. Upon identifying himself as the groom, the reality of the family's secrecy set in, deepening a rift that remains unhealed to this day.
Yair also touched upon the deep estrangement from his surviving siblings, noting that he maintains no relationship with his two older sisters and remains alienated from the rest of the family. Reflecting on his final visit with Ofra just a month before her sudden hospitalization, he recalled finding her in seemingly robust health and high spirits, offering no outward indication of the illness that would soon claim her life.
