Gabriella was born in 1930 in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia. Her parents owned a delicatessen located next to the police station, and were friendly with many police officers. As a result, when the war broke out, her mother was able to get deportation lists from the police department and warn families in advance. 

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Gabriella’s parents soon secured false papers for her and sent her to live in a convent in Bratislava. Afterwards, they hid together for nine months in the apartment of Karol Blanar, a selfless and courageous lawyer. His apartment was directly across the street from the Nazi-Slovak Gestapo. Knowing the fatal consequences that could await him, he nevertheless illegally sheltered eight Jews in his small apartment. Gabriella lived in this apartment until Russian troops liberated Bratislava from Nazi occupation. 

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Soon after the war, she married Ofer and they moved to Israel, eventually settling in Los Angeles with their son. Gabriella now speaks regularly about her experiences. She is also a sculptor and has created art pieces depicting the history of the Holocaust. She is fond of saying, “Hitler did not get my body, and he will not get my soul.” She explains that this motto is why she lives a happy life.