Who Is Irena Sendler? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Irena Sendler was born on February 15, 1910, in Warsaw, Poland. She is famously known for her incredible courage during World War II, where she played a vital role in saving approximately 2,500 Jewish children from the Warsaw Ghetto by providing them with false identities and safe passage. Her actions during this dark time in history earned her recognition as a righteous among the nations. Irena passed away on May 12, 2008, but her legacy continues to inspire generations.
As of 2025, if Irena Sendler were still alive, she would be 115 years old. Her extraordinary life story is a testament to the power of humanity and selflessness that resonates even today.
| Occupation | Activist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1910 |
| Age | 98 Years |
| Birth Place | Warsaw, Congress Poland, Russian Empire |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Poland |
| Date of death | 12 May, 2008 |
| Died Place | Warsaw, Poland |
Popularity
Irena Sendler's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although precise measurements of Irena Sendler’s height and weight are not widely documented, she is often described as having a petite stature common among women of her generation. Her physical appearance was overshadowed by her immense strength of character and unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Irena Sendler was married twice during her lifetime. Her first marriage was to Mieczysław Sendler in 1931, with whom she had one child, a daughter named Krystyna. After Mieczysław's death in 1944, she married a second time to a man named Adam Sendler, though this marriage also ended in divorce.
Throughout her life, she was steadfastly dedicated to her mission of rescuing children and supporting the Jewish community, often putting her own safety at risk. Irena’s devotion to her work meant that she had limited time for romantic relationships, making her commitment to the cause her primary focus.
She was baptized Irena Stanisława on 2 February 1917 in Otwock. She initially grew up in Otwock, a town about 15 miles southeast of Warsaw, where there was a Jewish community. Her father, a humanitarian who treated the very poor, including Jews, free of charge, died in February 1917 from typhus contracted from his patients.
After his death, the Jewish community offered financial help for the widow and her daughter, though Janina Krzyżanowska declined their assistance. Afterwards she lived in Tarczyn and Piotrków Trybunalski.
Net Worth and Salary
Though specific figures regarding Irena Sendler's net worth are not available, her legacy has inspired numerous films, books, and charitable organizations. Posthumously, she has been honored in various ways, including the establishment of the Irena Sendler Memorial Foundation. Financially, her contributions have opened doors for scholarship funds and humanitarian efforts that continue to impact lives today.
On 18 October 1943, Sendler was arrested by the Gestapo. As they ransacked her house, Sendler tossed the lists of children to her friend Janina Grabowska, who hid the list in her loose clothing. Should the Gestapo access this information, all children would be compromised, but Grabowska was never searched.
The Gestapo took Sendler to their headquarters and beat her brutally. Despite this, she refused to betray any of her comrades or the children they rescued. She was placed in the Pawiak prison, where she was subjected to further interrogations and beatings, and from there on 13 November taken to another location, to be executed by firing squad.
According to biographer Anna Mieszkowska and Sendler, these events took place on 20 January. Her life was saved, however, because the German guards escorting her were bribed, and she was released on the way to the execution.
Sendler was freed due to the efforts of Maria Palester, a fellow Welfare Department activist, who obtained the necessary funds from Żegota chief Julian Grobelny; she used her contacts and a teenage daughter to transfer the bribe money.
On 30 November, Warsaw's mayor Julian Kulski asked the German authorities for permission to re-employ Sendler in the Welfare Department with back-pay for the period of her imprisonment. Permission was granted on 14 April 1944, but Sendler found it prudent to remain in hiding, as Klara Dąbrowska, a nurse.
Already in mid-December 1943, she resumed her duties as manager of the children's section of Żegota.
Career, Business, and Investments
Irena Sendler began her career as a social worker before the outbreak of World War II. Through her work, she became involved in the resistance movement, leading to her activities in the Zegota Council, which was instrumental in aiding Jews during the Holocaust. After the war, she continued her career in social work and advocated for children and women’s rights until her retirement.
In addition to her humanitarian efforts, Irena's life inspired various artistic works, including plays and films, which have contributed to raising awareness about her deeds and the Holocaust. Her legacy also influenced educational projects aimed at teaching future generations about the importance of standing against oppression.
Soon after the German invasion, on 1 September 1939, the German occupation authorities ordered Jews removed from the staff of the municipal Social Welfare Department where Sendler worked and barred the department from providing any assistance to Warsaw's Jewish citizens.
Sendler with her colleagues and activists from the department's PPS cell became involved in helping the wounded and sick Polish soldiers. On Sendler's initiative the cell began generating false medical documents, needed by the soldiers and poor families to obtain aid.
Her PPS comrades unaware, Sendler extended such assistance also to her Jewish charges, who were now officially served only by the Jewish community institutions.
With Jadwiga Piotrowska, Jadwiga Sałek-Deneko and Irena Schultz, Sendler also created other false references and pursued ingenious schemes in order to help Jewish families and children excluded from their department's social welfare protection.
Social Network
Although Irena Sendler was not involved in social media during her life, her story has been widely shared on various platforms since her passing. Documentaries, Facebook pages, and Twitter accounts dedicated to her memory continue to educate and inspire people worldwide. In 2025, her story is still actively discussed in forums dedicated to social justice and human rights.
In post-war communist Poland, Sendler continued her social activism but also pursued a government career. In 1965, she was recognised by the State of Israel as Righteous Among the Nations.
Among the many decorations Sendler received were the Gold Cross of Merit granted to her in 1946 for the saving of Jews and the Order of the White Eagle, Poland's highest honour, awarded late in Sendler's life for her wartime humanitarian efforts.
Education
Irena Sendler studied at the University of Warsaw, where she pursued a degree in law and social work. Her education played a crucial role in shaping her understanding of social justice and rights, which she would implement during her involvement in the resistance.
With an unwavering spirit and an unrelenting commitment to justice, Irena Sendler remains a symbol of courage and humanity. As we reflect on her life in 2025, we are reminded that all it takes is one person to make a significant difference in the world.
In the 1930s, Sendler conducted her social work as one of the activists connected to the Free Polish University. From 1935 to October 1943, she worked for the Department of Social Welfare and Public Health of the City of Warsaw.
During the war she pursued conspiratorial activities, such as rescuing Jews, primarily as part of the network of workers and volunteers from that department, mostly women.
Sendler participated, with dozens of others, in smuggling Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto and then providing them with false identity documents and shelter with willing Polish families or in orphanages and other care facilities, including Catholic nun convents, saving those children from the Holocaust.
