Date of Birth: December 31, 1908
Zodiac Sign: Capricorn
Date of Death: September 20, 2005
Biography
Simon Wiesenthal was an Austrian Holocaust survivor, renowned Nazi hunter, and writer. Born in Buczacz, Galicia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, now Buchach, Ukraine), Wiesenthal survived the Holocaust and dedicated his life to ensuring that the atrocities committed by the Nazis were not forgotten and that those responsible were brought to justice. After World War II, he founded the Jewish Documentation Center in Austria, where he meticulously gathered information on war criminals, leading to the capture and prosecution of many Nazis, including Adolf Eichmann, one of the major organizers of the Holocaust. Wiesenthal authored several books about his experiences and the importance of memory and justice, including “The Sunflower” and “Justice Not Vengeance.” His relentless pursuit of justice earned him numerous accolades and established him as a pivotal figure in post-war history.
5 Interesting Facts about Simon Wiesenthal
1. Simon Wiesenthal survived internment in multiple Nazi concentration camps, including Janowska and Mauthausen.
2. He played a crucial role in the capture of Adolf Eichmann, who was one of the principal architects of the Holocaust.
3. Wiesenthal founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles, which is dedicated to Holocaust memory and combating anti-Semitism.
4. He was awarded the U.S. Congressional Gold Medal in 1980 in recognition of his efforts in seeking justice for Holocaust victims.
5. After the war, he worked as an architect before dedicating his life fully to tracking down Nazi war criminals.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Simon Wiesenthal
1. “For your benefit, learn from our tragedy. It is not a written law that the next victims must be Jews.”
2. “Freedom is not a gift from heaven. One must fight for it every day.”
3. “When history looks back, I want people to know that the Nazis could not kill millions of people with impunity.”
4. “Violence is like a weed – it does not die even in the greatest drought.”
5. “I know I am not a hero, but I have tried to do my duty.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Simon Wiesenthal’s work was not focused on personal wealth, and there is no reliable estimate of his net worth. His legacy, however, is priceless in terms of its impact on history and justice.
Children
Simon Wiesenthal had one daughter, Pauline (Paulinka) Wiesenthal, who was born in 1946.
Relevant Links
1. [Simon Wiesenthal Center](https://www.wiesenthal.com
2. [Biography.com – Simon Wiesenthal](https://www.biography.com/activist/simon-wiesenthal