{"id":644412,"date":"2019-06-04T17:19:53","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T17:19:53","guid":{"rendered":"
\"Israel\u2019s<\/p>\n
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\"Israel\u2019s<\/div>\n

Israel\u2019s First Lady, Nechama Rivlin, 73, died on Tuesday morning after battling with a respiratory disease for years, the Presidential Residence announced.<\/p>\n

She died at Beilinson Hospital in Petah Tikva.<\/p>\n

Three months ago, Rivlin underwent a lung transplant.<\/p>\n

Rivlin suffered from pulmonary fibrosis and required the constant use of a portable oxygen tank, which was attached to her even during official ceremonies she attended with her husband.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: \u201cTogether with all the citizens of Israel, my wife Sara and I express deep sorrow at the passing of the wife of the president, Nehama Rivlin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all prayed for her healing during the recent period in which she fought bravely and with all her might for her life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe extend our heartfelt condolences to the president and to all his family. May her memory be a blessing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Rivlin was born in Moshav Herut, an agricultural community in today\u2019s central Israel.<\/p>\n

Her parents, Drora and Mendi, emigrated from the Ukraine and were among the pioneer founders of the community.<\/p>\n

In 1971, she married Reuven Rivlin and the couple lived in Jerusalem.<\/p>\n

Rivlin had a BSc in Botany and Zoology.<\/p>\n

As the First Lady, she focused her activities on the environment, nature and art, as well as children with special needs.<\/p>\n

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