Josef Mengele.

Born 16 Mar 1911 Günzburg, Germany

Died 7 Feb 1979 Bertioga, Brazil

Citizenship Germany

Would Be 115 yr If Living

10 min read

Reading time

1,927

Words

Oct 7, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Josef Mengele, the Nazi doctor nicknamed Angel of Death, conducted medical experiments on Auschwitz inmates, especially on identical twins. He fled to South America and died in Brazil in 1979 from a stroke while swimming. He earned the nickname Angel of Death for his all-white clothing and his role deciding which prisoners went to the gas chambers.

Identity & family.

KIN · 7

Names, aliases, and relatives of Josef Mengele — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Nicknames The Angel of Death

Aliases Dr. Josef Mengele, Joseph Mengele, Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele

Parents: Walburga Theresa Hupfauer Karl Mengele
Spouses: Martha Mengele Irene Schoenbein
Children: Rolf Mengele
Siblings: Alois Mengele Karl Mengele

At a glance.

STATS

Josef Mengele by the numbers — life, work, and family.

67 Years lived

5 Awards

2 Marriages

1 Child

Who was Josef Mengele?

BIOGRAPHY

Josef Mengele — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

From Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Goethe University Frankfurt, Josef Mengele earned doctorates in both medicine and anthropology. He was born on 16 March 1911 in Günzburg, Bavaria, to Karl Mengele and Walburga Theresa Hupfauer. He became a favorite student of Professor Otmar von Verschuer, a leading eugenicist focused on racial hygiene and twin research.

Career

In summer 1944, Mengele and his Jewish slave assistant Dr. Miklos Nyiszli sent scientific materials to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute: bodies of murdered Gypsies, internal organs of dead children, skeletons of two murdered Jews, and blood samples of twins infected with typhus. At Auschwitz, he selected which inmates to send to the gas chambers upon arrival and conducted inhumane experiments on identical twins. His experiments stemmed from the false racist theories of Verschuer. He received multiple awards including the Iron Cross and the War Merit Cross.

Personal life

Mengele married twice: first to Irene Schoenbein from July 1939 to 1954, then to Martha Mengele from July 1958. He had one son, Rolf Mengele. He fled to South America after the war, living in Brazil under aliases. On 7 February 1979, he died from a stroke while swimming in Bertioga, São Paulo, Brazil.

Legacy

Mengele’s cruel experiments at Auschwitz earned him the nickname Angel of Death. Ira Levin’s 1976 novel The Boys from Brazil featured his actions, adapted into a 1978 film with Gregory Peck portraying Mengele. His remains were discovered in Brazil in 1985 after a tip from West German police. He became a symbol of Nazi medical atrocities.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 5

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Josef Mengele — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Iron Cross
Wound Badge 1939 in Black
Honour Chevron for the Old Guard
War Merit Cross
Eastern Medal

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 5

A wall of memorable lines from Josef Mengele — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

Don’t Tell Me That You, My Only Son, Believe What They Write About Me?
As Many Able to Work as Possible.
There Are No Judges, Only Avengers.,
People Were Arriving Infected with Disease, Half Dead.,
On My Mother’s Life, I Have Never Hurt Anyone.

Did you know?

FACTS · 13

Little-known facts about Josef Mengele — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

Dr. med. et Dr. phil. Josef Mengele was his complete academic title.
Mengele was the favorite student of Third Reich professor Otmar von Verschuer, a leading German human biologist and eugenicist concerned primarily with racial hygiene and twin research. He wrote his dissertation in medicine as Verschuer’s student, after having already written a dissertation in anthropology. In 1942 Verschuer became director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute of Anthropology, Human Heredity, and Eugenics in Berlin and the Institute for Genetic Biology and Racial Hygiene. Verschuer was never tried for war crimes despite indications he was fully cognizant of Mengele’s work at Auschwitz and even encouraged his most grisly research. Mengele’s inhuman experiments were based on the false and racist theories of Verschuer and others. In the summer of 1944, Mengele and his Jewish slave assistant Dr. Miklos Nyiszli sent scientific materials to the KWIfA, including the bodies of murdered Gypsies, internal organs of dead children, skeletons of two murdered Jews, and blood samples of twins infected by Mengele with typhus.
Mengele’s remains were found in São Paulo, Brazil in 1985, announced after an extensive search triggered by a tip from West German police who located a friend with a diary about Mengele’s grave. While he was still alive and one of the most wanted Nazi figures, he served as the main topic of Ira Levin’s 1976 novel The Boys from Brazil, turned into a movie in 1978.
Gregory Peck portrayed Mengele in the 1978 film The Boys from Brazil.
He was the older brother of Karl Mengele Jr. and Alois Mengele.
His son was Rolf Mengele.
Upon arrival at Auschwitz, Mengele decided which inmates would be sent to the gas chamber.
He was particularly interested in conducting experiments on identical twins.
Mengele died from a massive stroke while swimming in Bertioga, Brazil.
He earned the nickname The Angel of Death because he habitually wore all-white clothing.
He was uncle to Karl-Heinz Mengele, Dieter Mengele, Ute-Xenia Mengele, and Monika Mengele.
He was the son of Karl Mengele and Walburga Hupfauer Mengele.
Mengele was a Nazi doctor infamous for his experiments on concentration camp inmates.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 44

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Josef Mengele.

When was Josef Mengele born?

Josef Mengele was born on March 16, 1911 in Günzburg, Bavaria, Germany. He was the son of Karl Mengele and Walburga Theresa Hupfauer.
Where was Josef Mengele born?

Josef Mengele was born in Günzburg, Bavaria, Germany. This small town in southern Germany was his birthplace.
When did Josef Mengele die?

Josef Mengele died on February 7, 1979 in Bertioga, São Paulo, Brazil. He was 67 years old at the time of his death.
How old was Josef Mengele when he died?

Josef Mengele was 67 years old when he died. He was born in 1911 and died in 1979.
Where did Josef Mengele die?

Josef Mengele died in Bertioga, a coastal town in São Paulo, Brazil. He had been living there under a false identity.
How did Josef Mengele die?

Josef Mengele died from a stroke while swimming in the ocean at Bertioga, Brazil. The stroke was massive and caused his death.
What nationality was Josef Mengele?

Josef Mengele was German. He was born in Germany and served as a Nazi doctor during World War II.
Who were Josef Mengele's parents?

Josef Mengele’s parents were Karl Mengele and Walburga Theresa Hupfauer. His father was a successful businessman.
Who was Josef Mengele married to?

Josef Mengele was married twice: first to Irene Schoenbein from July 1939 to 1954, then to Martha Mengele from July 1958.
Did Josef Mengele have children?

Yes, Josef Mengele had one son named Rolf Mengele. Rolf was born during his first marriage.
Did Josef Mengele have siblings?

Yes, Josef Mengele had two brothers: Alois Mengele and Karl Mengele Jr. He was the oldest brother.
Where did Josef Mengele study?

Josef Mengele studied at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Munich and Goethe University Frankfurt. He earned doctorates in both medicine and anthropology.
What awards did Josef Mengele receive?

Josef Mengele received several military awards including the Iron Cross, Wound Badge 1939 in Black, Honour Chevron for the Old Guard, War Merit Cross, and Eastern Medal.
How many awards did Josef Mengele win?

Josef Mengele received five major awards: the Iron Cross, Wound Badge, Honour Chevron, War Merit Cross, and Eastern Medal. These were primarily for his service in the Nazi regime.
What is Josef Mengele best known for?

Josef Mengele is best known for his role as a Nazi doctor at Auschwitz, where he conducted inhumane experiments on inmates, especially twins. He was nicknamed the Angel of Death.
How tall was Josef Mengele?

Josef Mengele was 5 feet 9 inches tall, or 1.74 meters. This was recorded in Nazi documents.
Why was Josef Mengele called the Angel of Death?

Josef Mengele was called the Angel of Death because he wore all-white clothing and personally selected which inmates would be sent to the gas chambers at Auschwitz. His cruel experiments also contributed to the nickname.
What aliases did Josef Mengele use?

Josef Mengele used aliases including Dr. Josef Mengele, Joseph Mengele, and Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele. He also used false names while living in Brazil.
Was Josef Mengele married?

Yes, Josef Mengele was married twice: first to Irene Schoenbein from July 1939 to 1954, and then to Martha Mengele from July 1958 until his death.
What experiments did Mengele perform on twins?

Mengele performed horrific experiments on twins, including infecting them with typhus and sending their blood samples to the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute. He also sent organs, skeletons, and bodies of murdered prisoners to his mentor Otmar von Verschuer.
Who was Otmar von Verschuer?

Otmar von Verschuer was a leading German eugenicist and Mengele’s mentor. He focused on racial hygiene and twin research, and Mengele sent him scientific materials from Auschwitz. Verschuer was never tried for war crimes.
How did Mengele escape justice?

After the war, Mengele fled to South America, initially to Argentina and then to Brazil. He lived under a false identity and avoided capture until his death in 1979.
What happened to Mengele's remains?

Mengele’s remains were discovered in São Paulo, Brazil in 1985 after a tip from West German police. His friend had kept a diary about the grave’s location.
Was Mengele ever captured?

No, Josef Mengele was never captured. He died in Brazil in 1979 before authorities located him.
What awards did Mengele receive for his service?

Mengele received the Iron Cross, Wound Badge in Black, Honour Chevron for the Old Guard, War Merit Cross, and Eastern Medal for his Nazi service.
Where did Mengele study medicine?

Mengele studied medicine at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München and Goethe University Frankfurt. He earned a medical doctorate and a PhD in anthropology.
Who portrayed Mengele in film?

Gregory Peck portrayed Josef Mengele in the 1978 film The Boys from Brazil, which was based on Ira Levin’s novel.
What novel features Mengele?

Ira Levin’s 1976 novel The Boys from Brazil features Mengele as the main antagonist. It was adapted into a film starring Gregory Peck.
What was Mengele's academic title?

Mengele’s full academic title was Dr. med. et Dr. phil. Josef Mengele, indicating doctorates in medicine and philosophy anthropology.
How did Mengele decide which prisoners to kill?

Upon arrival at Auschwitz, Mengele personally selected which inmates would be sent to the gas chambers, often with a simple hand gesture. Twins were typically spared for his experiments.
What was Mengele's role at Auschwitz?

Mengele served as a doctor at Auschwitz, where he conducted medical experiments on prisoners and decided who would be killed in the gas chambers.
Did Mengele have any children?

Yes, Mengele had one son named Rolf Mengele, born during his first marriage to Irene Schoenbein.
What was the nickname of Josef Mengele?

Josef Mengele was known as the Angel of Death, a nickname he earned due to his all-white clothing and his role in selecting victims for the gas chambers.
How did Mengele die?

Mengele died from a massive stroke while swimming in the ocean at Bertioga, Brazil. He was 67 years old.
Who was Mengele's mentor?

Mengele’s mentor was Otmar von Verschuer, a prominent eugenicist who supported Mengele’s research and was never prosecuted for war crimes.
What is the movie The Boys from Brazil about?

The 1978 film The Boys from Brazil is about a plot to clone Adolf Hitler, with Mengele as the villain. Gregory Peck played Mengele.
Where did Mengele flee after the war?

After World War II, Mengele fled to South America, living in Argentina and then Brazil under assumed names.
How was Mengele's death discovered?

Mengele’s death was announced in 1985 after his remains were exhumed in Brazil. A tip from West German police led to the grave of a friend who kept a diary.
What did Mengele do with twin research?

Mengele conducted cruel experiments on twins, including infecting them with diseases and sending their organs to Berlin for research.
What was Mengele's educational background?

Mengele studied medicine and anthropology at the universities of Munich and Frankfurt, earning two doctorates.
Did Mengele have any relatives?

Yes, Mengele had brothers Alois and Karl Jr., a son Rolf, and several nieces and nephews.
Was Mengele portrayed in any other media?

Apart from The Boys from Brazil, Mengele appears in documentary footage such as Hitler and the Apostles of Evil 2015.
Why did Mengele wear white?

Mengele wore all-white clothing to stand out and to appear clean and pure, which earned him the nickname Angel of Death.
What was Mengele's relationship with Verschuer?

Mengele was Verschuer’s favourite student and assistant, and Verschuer encouraged Mengele’s experiments on twins for his racial hygiene research.

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Audited & updated by

Sophia has 4 years of editorial experience and a habit of becoming the person any team leans on when they need to know where something stands. At Famousy, she manages the content pipeline, coordinates reviews, and handles the detail work that keeps a large editorial operation from falling apart. She reads a lot of profiles in the process and she's developed a sharp instinct for when something doesn't feel right. She flags it. It usually is.

Published on October 7, 2026

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