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Ágnes Keleti, Legendary Hungarian-Israeli Gymnast, Passes Away at 103

Holocaust survivor and Olympic icon leaves behind a legacy of triumph and inspiration.

January 02, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Ágnes Keleti, the Hungarian-born Israeli gymnast celebrated as one of the greatest Jewish athletes of all time, passed away on Thursday at the age of 103. A trailblazer in her field and a Holocaust survivor, Keleti’s remarkable life was defined by perseverance, talent, and unwavering strength.

Born in Budapest in 1921, Keleti overcame immense adversity to achieve greatness. Surviving the Holocaust, during which 400,000 Hungarian Jews were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, she transformed personal pain into strength and became a symbol of resilience.

Keleti’s athletic career was extraordinary. Competing for Hungary, she earned 10 Olympic medals, including five golds, at the Helsinki and Melbourne Games in 1952 and 1956. She made aliyah to Israel in 1957, becoming a beloved figure in the Jewish State and the Israeli with the most Olympic medals. In recognition of her contributions to sports, she was awarded the prestigious Israel Prize in 2017.

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar mourned Keleti’s passing, calling her “a trailblazer of Jewish sports and one of the greatest athletes in history.” He highlighted her remarkable achievements and her ability to transform suffering into triumph, serving as an inspiration for generations.

The International March of the Living (MOTL) also honored Keleti’s memory, noting her enduring legacy as a symbol of the human spirit’s triumph over adversity. Last year, during the 80th anniversary of the annihilation of Hungarian Jewry, MOTL commemorated Keleti and other survivors with a ceremony in Budapest.

Ágnes Keleti’s story stands as a testament to the power of courage, perseverance, and the choice to rebuild and thrive. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire athletes, Holocaust educators, and all who seek hope in the face of adversity.

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