The incredible story of the Hungarian woman who survived Auschwitz and now helps people overcome trauma

Dr Edith Eva Eger is a Hungarian-born psychologist with an incredible story. She survived the holocaust and dedicated her life to helping other people overcome their own emotional or physical traumas.

Edith Eva Eger, or Edie for short, was born in Hungary. She was a talented ballerina and gymnast as a child. While the Second World War was escalating, she was told by her trainer that she was no longer qualified to be a part of the gymnast team because she was Jewish. She felt like her whole life shattered. She had no idea what monstrous things were to come afterwards.

She was 16 years old when armed soldiers herded her Hungarian family into a wagon full of Jews and took her to Auschwitz. On her very first day at the concentration camp, she had to entertain the infamous Dr Mengele, a.k.a. The Angel of Death. She had to dance in front of him several times, during which she always pretended to be at the Budapest Opera House.

She was later transferred from Auschwitz and went to a death march. Her friends were carrying her in their arms. They were liberated by U.S. soldiers. This has made such an impact on her life that she eventually emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 22.

She became a psychologist in her forties and later became a successful family therapist. Her speciality is treating emotional and physical trauma. She still practises today, even though she is in her nineties.