Early Life and Background
Soros was born Tivadar Schwartz in Baktalórántháza, Hungary, on April 7, 1893. Tivadar Soros, a Budapest native, was known for his intellectual honesty and perseverance. He was raised Jewish amid a time of rising European racism.
Career and Contributions
Tivadar Soros was a successful lawyer, writer, and editor. He wrote many Esperanto works and championed the worldwide auxiliary language. The compelling “Masquerade: The Incredible True Story of How George Soros’ Father Outsmarted the Gestapo” recounts his World War II defiance.
Tivadar planned to defend his family from the Nazis during Hungary’s annexation. Strategic thinking and resourcefulness helped him navigate the treacherous political situation and save his sons Paul and George from the Holocaust. He wrote about his time in Siberian prisoner-of-war camps in his memoir, “Crusoes in Siberia.”
Family and Legacy
They had two sons, Paul and George, when Tivadar married Elizabeth in 1924. Paul Soros was an engineer and philanthropist, whereas George Soros was one of the most successful US financiers, known for hedge fund management and Open Society Foundations generosity.
Tivadar deeply shaped his children’s morals and worldview. Despite the obstacles of his day, he gave them courage and resilience to direct their futures. His grandsons and great-grandchildren—Alexander, Jonathan, Andrea, Gregory, Robert, Jeffrey, Peter, Thomas Hugh, and Simon Tivadar Soros—continued his legacy.
The Escape to the West
During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, Tivadar and Elizabeth Soros fled to the West. This migration changed their life, settling them in New York, where Tivadar died on February 22, 1968, at 74. His voyage from Hungary to New York was a change from danger to opportunity and new beginnings.
FAQ
What was Tivadar Soros known for?
A lawyer, novelist, and editor, Tivadar Soros promoted Esperanto. His resourcefulness in shielding his family during the Nazi occupation of Hungary is also noted.
What did Tivadar Soros do for finance?
Tivadar Soros did not directly contribute to finance, but his son George Soros became one of the most successful investors in history, influenced by his father’s perseverance and strategic thinking.
In what languages did Tivadar Soros write?
Tivadar Soros wrote extensively in Esperanto, an international language. He supported Esperanto to promote worldwide understanding and cooperation.
Later life: where did Tivadar Soros live?
In 1956, Tivadar Soros fled Hungary due to the Hungarian Revolution and lived in New York City until his 1968 death.
What books did Tivadar Soros write?
Among his publications are “Masquerade: The Incredible True Story of How George Soros’ Father Outsmarted the Gestapo” and “Crusoes in Siberia,” about his time in Siberian prison camps.
How did Tivadar Soros impact his sons?
By teaching his boys perseverance, resourcefulness, and strategy, Tivadar Soros shaped them. His influence on George Soros’s investing and philanthropy was clear.
