Gisella Perl

Gisella Perl

Name	Gisella Perl
Birth name
Birth date	December 10, 1907
Birth place	Sighetu Marmației, Austria-Hungary
Death date	December 16, 1988
Death place	Herzliya, Israel
Alma mater
Occupation	Physician, Gynecologist
Years active
Organization
Known for	Holocaust survivor, "Angel of Auschwitz"
Notable works
Spouse(s)
Website

Gisella Perl (December 10, 1907 – December 16, 1988) was a Hungarian-Jewish gynecologist and Holocaust survivor, known for her work in the Auschwitz concentration camp where she was forced to work under the infamous Dr. Josef Mengele. She is often referred to as the "Angel of Auschwitz" for her efforts to save the lives of pregnant women in the camp.

Early Life and Education

Gisella Perl was born in Sighetu Marmației, a town in the region of Maramureș, which was part of Austria-Hungary at the time of her birth. She was the daughter of a Jewish family and showed an early interest in medicine. Perl pursued her medical studies in Germany, where she specialized in gynecology.

World War II and Auschwitz

During World War II, Perl and her family were deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Upon arrival, she was separated from her family and forced to work under Dr. Josef Mengele, who was notorious for his inhumane medical experiments.

In Auschwitz, Perl was tasked with working as a camp doctor. She faced the moral and ethical dilemma of dealing with pregnant women, as pregnant prisoners were often killed or subjected to brutal experiments. To save these women, Perl performed secret abortions, a decision she later described as the most difficult of her life. Her actions saved many women from certain death.

Post-War Life

After the liberation of Auschwitz, Perl emigrated to the United States. Initially, she faced difficulties in obtaining a medical license due to her past in Auschwitz. However, with the support of influential figures, she was eventually able to practice medicine in New York City.

Perl became a respected gynecologist and worked at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she continued to help women, particularly those who had suffered trauma. Her experiences during the Holocaust deeply influenced her medical practice and her advocacy for women's health.

Legacy

Gisella Perl's life and work have been the subject of numerous books and documentaries. Her autobiography, "I Was a Doctor in Auschwitz," provides a harrowing account of her experiences and the moral complexities she faced. Perl's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ethical challenges faced by medical professionals in extreme circumstances.

Also see

• Auschwitz concentration camp
• Josef Mengele
• Holocaust survivors
• Medical ethics
• Gynecology