Italian hero who saved 5,000 Jews during the war in Budapest, pretending to be a Spanish consul. A TV film was made about his heroic exploits. He was honored by being called “the just of the just.”
After the war he returned to Italy where he lived a modest life for some years with his wife, Nerina, until his identity was revealed by those whom he had saved. Modest and unassuming, he was later asked why he had risked his life to save others and he said that it was because it was there to do and he could do it. He had no drive for fame and refused to capitalize or back politicians. The only time that Giorgio spoke of his exploits was to children at the schools because he wanted to impress them that solidarity and friendship was very important. His wife said that he was charming and easy-going, that nothing bothered him and he was full of energy and the love of life. Though strong-willed, he liked to joke around. At one time, Giorgio had been captured by the Germans and to protect Nerina, he said he was not married; they lived apart until the threat was past and they could reunite in Italy.
Giorgio’s identity was discovered strangely when a street-sweeper recognized him, a stranger who walked up to him and said “I want to shake your hand because you are a great man.”
He suffered a fatal heart attack in Padua ion August 15, 1992.
Link to Wikipedia biography