Eve was Jewish, and Marian was Catholic. Hungary banned certain “mixed” marriages. Luckily, they were allowed to marry in Budapest on March 19, 1944, the same day Nazi Germany occupied Hungary.

 

During romantic strolls along the Danube River, a young couple fell in love. Marian Sadlewski had recently fled war-torn Poland to avoid being forced into the Soviet army. He made his way to Budapest and, in search of Hungarian language lessons, met a woman who would change his life forever: Eve. Eve Nussbacher and Marian liked each other immediately and began dating, often taking walks together. Marian said for him, there was “nobody else.” When he proposed, she said, “Of course!” But getting married wasn’t so simple. Eve was Jewish, and Marian was Catholic. Hungary banned certain “mixed” marriages. Luckily, they were allowed to marry in Budapest on March 19, 1944, the same day Nazi Germany occupied Hungary. They had to end their simple wedding reception of coffee and cake early to shelter from bombs. It wasn’t long before the Gestapo arrested Marian after he checked in to their headquarters, as required of foreigners. Would Marian and Eve be able to stay together? ‌ “I want to be with you every minute of my life.” Watch: A Survivor and a Soldier’s Love Letters >> Nazi Law Could Not Keep Frieda and Julian Apart Read: Their Marriage Lasted a Lifetime >> ‌ Photos: Marian Sadlewski and Eve Nussbacher on March 18, 1944, the day before their wedding. USHMM, gift of the Estate of Liz Dahl; A love letter. USHMM, gift of Michel Snegg; Frieda Greinegger and Julian Noga, post-1945. USHMM, courtesy of Julian and Frieda Noga ‌ Donate to Keep Holocaust Memory Alive DONATE Keep Holocaust memory alive to inspire citizens and leaders to confront antisemitism and hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity in a constantly changing world. Stay Connected ‌ UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW Washington, DC 20024-2126 Main telephone: 202.488.0400 TTY: 202.488.0406 VIEW IN BROWSER