35 Years After Being Switched at Birth, Two Austrian Women Reunite

Tue Oct 21 2025 17:09:57 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a remarkable twist of fate, two women from Austria, switched at birth, have come together 35 years later, unveiling the emotional journey that led to their reunion.

Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner, who were mistakenly exchanged at birth in Graz, Austria, finally met after decades apart. Their reconnection came after both discovered they weren't biologically related to their families, leading to emotional revelations and a desire to understand their true identities. As both families embrace this newfound bond, the hospital involved expresses deep regret over the incident.

In a heartwarming story that transcends time, two Austrian women, Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner, have reunited 35 years after being mistakenly switched at birth at a hospital in Graz. Their story is one of emotional discovery and the quest for identity.

Both women were born prematurely in October 1990 and were accidentally exchanged shortly after birth, a mix-up that went unnoticed for decades. This glitch in their births set a course for a most unusual but significant journey.

The investigation into their real backgrounds began in 2012, when Doris discovered through a blood donation that her blood type did not match that of her parents. Searching for answers led her down a path of revelation that eventually connected her to Jessica.

News about the switched births initially hit the airwaves in 2016 through the Austrian broadcaster ORF, but the other family was not located at that time. Jessica learned about her biological origins in a similar way when she became pregnant, prompting a visit to her doctor and a connection to the legendary case.

Using social media, Jessica reached out to Doris, leading to a long-awaited meeting that felt as if they were sisters reuniting. We got along right away, Doris reported. It was an indescribably good feeling.

In a subsequent gathering, both families met and were filmed for a TV program, capturing the emotional upheavals that followed the revelation. Mrs. Derler, Jessica's adoptive mother, expressed feelings of shock but reinforced her love for Jessica, assuring her, She will always be our child.

Doris's mother, Evelin, expressed her joy at gaining a bigger family while her husband noted the relief they felt after uncovering the truth about their daughter. The operations manager at Graz’s LKH-Uniklinikum, Gebhard Falzberger, publicly extended apologies to both families, acknowledging the hospital's regrettable mistake.

While the Grünwald family had taken steps to secure Doris's inheritance rights through legal assistance in 2016, the Derlers are now considering adoption following the discovery. Jessica acknowledged the complexity of their situation, recognizing the blend of joy and emotional turmoil that often accompanies such profound revelations.