Born near Stockholm. Worked for an import-export company owned by a Jewish Hungarian. Travelling frequently to Hungary, he learned Hungarian and become joint owner of the company. In spring 1944 the Germans were deporting thousands of Jews per day from Hungary and Wallenberg was recruited to the Swedish legation in Budapest specifically to organise a rescue program for the Jews. He did this primarily by issuing protective passports, and by renting 32 buildings in which to house the Jews. Bribery was also involved. In early 1945 the Soviet Red Army arrived in Budapest and Wallenberg was detained. Thereafter his fate and date of death are uncertain.
October 2016: He was officially declared dead.
