MDA was called to Peres's Tel Aviv apartment to revive her, but were forced to pronounce her dead.Sonia Peres, nee Gellman, was born in Poland in 1923, and made aliya in 1927. Her parents worked and lived at the Ben Shemen Youth Village, where she met her future husband. He was in the grade above her. In 1942, she enlisted in the British Army, where she served as nurse in an army hospital near Cairo. She was later made a truck driver for the British Army and drove across Europe several times.
Sonia and Shimon Peres were married in May, 1945, and were amongst the founders of Kibbutz Alumot.Sonia Peres was known for being private, and did not go to many political events. She chose not to move to the Beit Hanassi in 2007, and the two have lived separately since then.Peres returned to his Tel Aviv home.Defense Minister Ehud Barak said: "Sonia Peres was a special woman and person. She was a symbol of modesty, simplicity and love of her fellow man. She made sure to stay away from the spotlight and keep her life private. She constantly helped those in need; everyone who knew her appreciated her. May her memory be blessed."