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Widow of Dr. Cathcart, Victim of Racist Incident in Budapest in 1931, Visits the Hungarian Capital – His Family Grateful for Hungarians’ Bravery
Mrs. Cathcart at the Gellért Hotel in Budapest on June 2, 2008
Dr. Cathcart was born in Cuba but left the island at the age of 16. He spoke seven languages, was an author, journalist and English professor. Under the name of Dr. Ramon Costello, he was a professional boxer and even won a world championship. He was in Budapest as a part of his European tour in 1931, staying at Hotel Gellért, when American and British tourists demanded that the Black man leave the hotel. Dr. Cathcart informed all the major Budapest newspapers whose front pages were screaming of the scandal the next day. The Mayor of Budapest invited Cathcart to his office and pronounced him an honorary citizen of Budapest. The Hungarians defended the young Cuban and he returned to the Gellért – for only one swim in the pool.
The press around the world, including The New York Times, covered the story in the following weeks and months. Dr. Ramon Cathcart met his future wife Marlies in Germany. The couple moved to New York in 1956. Seventy-seven years after the incident and for the first time in her life and, the widow of Dr. Cathcart arrived in Budapest today where she had reserved a room in the Hotel Gellért. The hotel management welcomed Marlies Cathcart and provided her with a luxury suite. Numerous Hungarian media outlets interviewed her. Before her trip, the Hungarian Ambassador to the U.S. Ferenc Somogyi, called her to express Hungary’s happiness over her visit. Mrs. Cathcart told the Ambassador that her family is forever grateful to the Hungarians for standing up to racism and discrimination. Ambassador Somogyi issued a proclamation on this historical occasion.
Mrs. Cathcart at the Gellért Hotel in Budapest on June 2, 2008 Photos by Független Hírügynökség
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