Agnes Keleti, Holocaust Survivor & Gymnast, Is Honored with Israel Prize at 96

Agnes Keleti is probably one of the most badass and inspiring ladies you’ll ever know. Keleti, who was born in Hungary and survived the Holocaust, began gymnastics at age 4. Well, the rest is history, considering she still practices gymnastics to this day (at age 96, no less!), and is now going to be honored with the Israel Prize.

Avi Mayer, spokesman for the Jewish agency, recently tweeted about the amazing news:

Amazing: Israeli government decides to award the Israel Prize to 96-year-old retired Olympic gymnast and Holocaust survivor Ágnes Keleti. pic.twitter.com/6PiNFjtgZL

— Avi Mayer (@AviMayer) February 14, 2017

Most of Keleti’s family members were killed in Auschwitz–and because of the Holocaust, she wasn’t able to compete until she was 31. Then, in the 1956 Olympics at age 35, Keleti became the oldest female gymnast ever to win gold.

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Joanna C. Valente

Joanna Valente is the former Staff Writer at Kveller. Joanna is the author of Sirs & Madams, The Gods Are Dead, Xenos, and Marys of the Sea, and received an MFA at Sarah Lawrence College. You can follow @joannasaid on Twitter and @joannacvalente on Instagram.