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Nicholas Winton’s ‘Most Emotional’ Moment Nicholas Winton’s ‘Most Emotional Moment’
(35 minutes later)
Nicholas Winton, who died Wednesday at 106, went 50 years without telling anyone about how he had rescued 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.Nicholas Winton, who died Wednesday at 106, went 50 years without telling anyone about how he had rescued 669 children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia.
Even after his anonymity ended in 1988, when his wife’s discovery of an old scrapbook in their attic set off a wave of public recognition, he never fully explained why he did it.Even after his anonymity ended in 1988, when his wife’s discovery of an old scrapbook in their attic set off a wave of public recognition, he never fully explained why he did it.
One especially poignant appearance came in 1988 on the BBC program “That’s Life,” when for the first time, dozens of people who owed their lives to him assembled to thank him. In the video, he dabs tears as a woman hugs him. Then he is surprised to learn that the dozens of people seated around him were also children he had saved.One especially poignant appearance came in 1988 on the BBC program “That’s Life,” when for the first time, dozens of people who owed their lives to him assembled to thank him. In the video, he dabs tears as a woman hugs him. Then he is surprised to learn that the dozens of people seated around him were also children he had saved.
“I suppose it was the most emotional moment of my life,” he told CBS’s “60 Minutes” in 2014, at age 104. “Suddenly being confronted with all these children, who weren’t by any means children anymore.”“I suppose it was the most emotional moment of my life,” he told CBS’s “60 Minutes” in 2014, at age 104. “Suddenly being confronted with all these children, who weren’t by any means children anymore.”
On that program, Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, one of the children he had saved, was asked why she thought he had stayed silent for so long about what he had done.On that program, Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines, one of the children he had saved, was asked why she thought he had stayed silent for so long about what he had done.
“I think it was just in his nature,” she said. “He really felt that he had done all he could, and having got those children settled, he thought, ‘Been there, done that, my job’s done, I’ve got other things to do.’”“I think it was just in his nature,” she said. “He really felt that he had done all he could, and having got those children settled, he thought, ‘Been there, done that, my job’s done, I’ve got other things to do.’”
In a 2001 interview with The New York Times, Mr. Winton remained reluctant to discuss details of his operation, but did briefly address his motives.In a 2001 interview with The New York Times, Mr. Winton remained reluctant to discuss details of his operation, but did briefly address his motives.
“Why did I do it?” Mr. Winton said. “Why do people do different things? Some people revel in taking risks, and some go through life taking no risks at all.”“Why did I do it?” Mr. Winton said. “Why do people do different things? Some people revel in taking risks, and some go through life taking no risks at all.”
On “60 Minutes” years later, he offered a little more insight.On “60 Minutes” years later, he offered a little more insight.
“I work on the motto that if something’s not impossible, there must be a way to do it,” he said.“I work on the motto that if something’s not impossible, there must be a way to do it,” he said.