Painting of ducks in the water.

Gisella Perl: I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz

Gisella Perl's Timeline

1907
Born 1907 in Maramarosszigt, a Jewish enclave in Hungary
Born 1907 in Maramarosszigt, a Jewish enclave in Hungary

December 10, 1907

1923
Graduated Secondary School First in Class

Only Jewish student in her class.

1924
Started Medical School
Started Medical School

Father at first opposed, thinking she would lose her Jewish culture, but finally relents.

1925
Marries Dr. Ephraim Kraus

They have two children. (Dates Unknown)

1927
She becomes a gynecologist

She practices in her hometown (Maramarossziget, Hungary). Date approximate.

1944
Nazis Invade Hungary
Nazis Invade Hungary

On 12 March 1944, German troops received orders by Hitler to capture critical Hungarian facilities. On 19 March, the military occupation of Hungary began.

Sent to Auschwitz

April 1944 – Brought to Auschwitz with her husband and son. They are immediately separated. Josef Mengele learns she is a doctor and instructs her to deliver all the pregnant women to him for better care.  She soon learns he is murdering them. Perl performs thousands of abortions to save the lives of pregnant women.

1945
Freed from Auschwitz

Moved to a camp in Hamburg and then to Bergen Besen for the remainder of the war

1947
She attempts suicide

Upon learning that her husband, son, and parents were murdered in Auschwitz, she attempted suicide.

1951
Gisella Perl Receives US Citizenship

Begins work as a gynecologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital, in New York City

1979
Moves to Israel to be with her daughter and grandson
1988
Gisella Perl Dies in Herzliya, Israel on Nov 24, 1988