Peter’s mother was brave, resourceful, and determined that she and her son should survive. Though they faced antisemitism and Hungarian anti-Jewish laws, life in Budapest became much more dangerous when the German occupation began in March 1944. Peter’s mother was arrested and jailed, but managed to get released. She found places to live, including an apartment safeguarded by international diplomats. Peter was almost four years old when he and his mother were liberated from the ghetto in January 1945. Thanks to his mother’s resilience, he lived to become an accomplished scientist and work with NASA.
Hear Holocaust survivor Peter Gorog’s experiences in his own words recorded on April 27, 2022. First Person is a monthly hour-long discussion featuring a live interview between journalist Bill Benson and a survivor and including questions from the audience, available on the Museum’s UKposts channel.
Learn more about life in Hungary before the Nazi occupation: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Read about Hungary under German occupation: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Learn about the Holocaust in Budapest: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Read more about rescue efforts during the Holocaust: encyclopedia.ushmm.org/conten...
Watch how Peter stays connected to his father: • Next Chapter: Propelli...