Simone Veil

Born Simone Jacob, she was arrested by the Nazis in 1944 along with her family and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, where she lost her parents and brother. Her survival, against all odds, shaped her life's work, instilling a profound commitment to justice and human dignity.

After the war, Veil embarked on a distinguished political career, serving as France's Minister of Health, a Member of the European Parliament, and its President. Her most impactful legacy is undoubtedly the 1975 law legalizing abortion in France, a controversial but ultimately transformative piece of legislation that still bears her name. For this, and her relentless advocacy for women's rights and European integration, she earned widespread admiration.

While her Jewish identity was deeply personal and not overtly public for much of her life – she identified more as a secular Jew – her experiences in the Holocaust were undeniably central to her moral compass. This blend of profound Jewish suffering and universal political achievement makes her a kvell-worthy figure of immense stature, a testament to resilience and principled leadership.