Growing up with parents from different cultural backgrounds often brings both challenges and richness. For Peter Felix, the author of Around the World in 80 Years, this was a defining part of his identity. His father was a Jewish-German refugee who fled the Nazis, while his mother was English, strong-willed, and independent. Their differences gave Peter a front-row seat to the complexity — and beauty — of living between worlds.
In his early years in London, Peter didn’t think much about his “Genglish” household. His father spoke with a German accent, mixed English and German casually, and held tightly to his cultural roots. His mother, by contrast, embodied post-war British resilience. Together, they shaped a household that blended tradition, survival, and a quiet determination to move forward.
As Peter got older, he began to see how his upbringing gave him a unique lens on life. He wasn’t tied to one way of thinking. He could see both sides. This helped him immensely in his global career and personal journey. Whether navigating rural development in Pakistan or board meetings in New York, Peter could find common ground.
Living between cultures also taught him empathy. He saw first-hand how identity can be complicated, especially when shaped by history and migration. His father’s escape from Nazi Germany wasn’t just a tale of survival; it was the backdrop for Peter’s own understanding of justice, freedom, and belonging.
For anyone who has grown up with more than one culture at home, Peter’s story will resonate deeply. It’s a reminder that our roots do not limit us, they enrich us. And sometimes, it’s the mix of backgrounds that makes life’s journey all the more meaningful.
