Oskar Schindler | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : January 06, 2025

Who is Oskar Schindler?

Oskar Schindler was a German businessman born on April 28, 1908, in Svitavy, Sudetenland, now part of the Czech Republic. He grew up in a Catholic family and initially followed in his father's footsteps by working in the family business. His life took a turn in the 1930s when he joined the Nazi Party and began working as a spy, leveraging the political climate to his advantage. Schindler's opportunism took a noteworthy twist during World War II when he transformed his enamelware factory into a refuge for Polish Jews, employing over 1,000 individuals who would otherwise face persecution or death.

As the war progressed, Schindler's motivations shifted from mere business profits to an earnest concern for his Jewish workers’ lives. He developed a close relationship with Itzhak Stern, a Jewish accountant, who helped him navigate the complexities of employing Jewish labor amid the Nazi regime's atrocities. Notably, during the liquidation of the Krakow Jewish population, Schindler managed to keep his workers safe by bribing officials and keeping them employed in his factory. Ultimately, his actions set him apart as a symbol of humanity amidst the horrors of war, culminating in his recognition as a Righteous Gentile by Yad Vashem in 1962.

Early Life and Education

Oskar Schindler was born on April 28, 1908, in Svitavy, Sudetenland, which is now part of the Czech Republic. He was the eldest of two children in a German Catholic family; his father, Hans Schindler, was a farm-equipment manufacturer, and his mother, Louisa, fulfilled the role of a homemaker. Oskar attended a German-language school and was well-liked by his peers, although he did not stand out academically. Instead of pursuing higher education, he chose to enroll in trade school, where he explored various fields of study to gain practical skills.

After leaving school in 1924, Schindler took on several odd jobs while seeking a clearer path for his future. In 1928, he married Emilie Pelzl, and shortly afterward, he was called into military service. Following his service, Oskar returned to his father’s company; however, the business succumbed to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression. During this period, Schindler's lifestyle began to take shape, characterized by enjoying the pleasures of wine and indulgence, which would later become defining traits throughout much of his life.

From Spy to Black Market Entrepreneur

Oskar Schindler's transformation from a businessman with opportunistic tendencies to a humanitarian hero began amidst the tumultuous political landscape of 1930s Europe. Initially joining pro-Nazi organizations and even working as a spy for the German military, Schindler saw the war as an opportunity to profit. Upon relocating to Krakow at the onset of World War II, he engaged deeply in the black market, using charm and bribery to secure lucrative contracts for his newly acquired enamelware factory. This early success, however, soon paved the way for a significant moral awakening as he recognized the plights and horrors faced by the Jewish community under Nazi rule.

As conditions for Jews deteriorated during the war, Schindler's attitude shifted dramatically. With the help of Itzhak Stern, a Jewish accountant, he began employing Jewish workers not solely for their lower wages but out of a newfound sense of responsibility. Understanding the life-threatening dangers his employees faced, Schindler leveraged his connections with Nazi officers to protect them from deportation. His willingness to risk his own safety to save over 1,100 Jewish lives exemplifies his extraordinary evolution from a self-serving businessman to a committed protector of the vulnerable. By the war’s end, his actions would forever etch his name in history as one of the most remarkable figures of humanitarianism.

The Enamelware Factory and Employee Hiring

Oskar Schindler's venture into the war economy began with the acquisition of a Jewish enamelware factory, which he renamed Deutsche Emaillewaren-Fabrik (German Enamelware Factory). Initially, Schindler hired a modest workforce of around 45 employees, primarily employing Jewish laborers as they were less expensive than their Polish counterparts. The factory quickly gained traction, securing contracts with the German military to produce kitchenware. Schindler's charm and keen business acumen positioned him well, allowing the factory to expand its staff to over 1,700 employees by 1944, with a significant portion being Jewish workers seeking refuge from Nazi persecution.

As the war intensified, Schindler’s motivations shifted from profit to humanitarianism. With the increasing threat of deportations to concentration camps, Schindler expanded his hiring strategy to include Jewish workers regardless of their skills, ultimately leading to the famous designation of “Schindlerjuden.” Collaborating closely with Itzhak Stern, his Jewish accountant, Schindler orchestrated a plan to protect his employees. When the Nazis began moving Krakow’s Jewish population, Schindler's strategic choices, bolstered by bribery and influence, helped save hundreds of lives. His efforts culminated in the creation of a list identifying 1,100 workers deemed essential, which allowed them to relocate with him and escape the impending horrors of Auschwitz.

Schindler's Life-Saving List

Oskar Schindler's most notable achievement during the harrowing years of World War II was his creation of the "Schindler's List," a document that saved the lives of more than 1,100 Polish Jews from the clutches of Nazi extermination. As the war intensified and the Nazi regime began systematic deportations of Jews, Schindler, who had initially hired Jewish workers for economic reasons, transformed into a compassionate protector. Through grit, negotiation, and significant financial bribery, he managed to persuade high-ranking Nazi officials to allow him to keep his Jewish workers employed at his enamelware factory, thus shielding them from deportation and certain death.

In early 1944, the situation for Jews worsened dramatically as concentrations shifted to death camps. Schindler, recognizing the imminent threat, requested to relocate his factory from Krakow to Brnĕnec. He was instructed to compile a list of workers deemed essential for the new production facility. Collaborating closely with his Jewish accountant, Itzhak Stern, Schindler meticulously prepared a list of names. This act not only secured the work and lives of those listed but also demonstrated Schindler's profound transformation from a self-serving businessman to a hero risking his own safety for the sake of others.

Personal Life: Married Life | Wife | Children

Oskar Schindler married Emilie Pelzl in 1928, and their marriage lasted until his death in 1974. Emilie played an integral role in Schindler's life, particularly during World War II when she joined Oskar in Krakow. Together, they navigated the tumultuous waters of wartime circumstances, with Emilie actively supporting her husband’s efforts to save Jewish workers through their enamelware factory. Despite the challenges they faced, their partnership demonstrated a commitment to one another and a shared purpose despite the dire context of their lives.

The couple’s marriage weathered the strains of war and financial difficulty. After World War II, Schindler and Emilie were left with little money, having used their wealth to bribe officials and save their workers. Their post-war life took them to Argentina for several years, where they attempted farming. Unfortunately, financial hardships persisted, leading to bankruptcy. Ultimately, their struggles left a mark on their relationship, yet they remained together throughout the ups and downs, sharing a bond forged in adversity, resilience, and a commitment to humanity that would leave a lasting legacy.

While Oskar and Emilie did not have children together, their impact during the war would resonate through the lives of the Schindlerjuden, the Jewish individuals they saved. Many of those whose lives Schindler touched would later refer to him as “Zaddik,” a title of respect indicating a righteous person. This familial bond extended beyond traditional measures, creating a legacy of care and protection that defined Schindler’s personal life during one of history’s darkest chapters.

Net Worth and Earning: Financial Struggles

Oskar Schindler's journey from an opportunistic businessman to a wartime savior was marked by significant financial challenges. Initially, he thrived as an entrepreneur in Krakow, running a successful enamelware factory that employed Jewish workers during World War II. His factory secured numerous contracts with the German military, which seemed to provide him with a prosperous lifestyle. However, as the war progressed, Schindler’s focus shifted from profit-making to survival, as he poured his resources into bribing Nazi officials to protect his Jewish workers from deportation and death camps.

By the end of the war, Schindler's financial situation had drastically changed. His factory, which had once generated wealth, left him penniless, as he had spent his fortune on bribes and other protective measures for his employees. After the war, Schindler attempted to rebuild his life in Argentina through various farming ventures but ultimately declared bankruptcy in 1957. Following this, he moved to West Germany, where he continued to struggle financially. Remarkably, his past workers from the Jewish community, known as the Schindlerjuden, rallied to support him, reflecting the deep gratitude and connection formed during the war years.