The Documentary Podcast Kai Höss: My grandfather, the Commandant of Auschwitz
Nov 7, 2025
Kai Höss, grandson of Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss, shares his compelling journey of confronting a harrowing family legacy. He discusses discovering his grandfather's role in history and the shame that ensued. At a film screening, Kai engages in emotional dialogues with Jewish survivors, fostering understanding and reconciliation. His near-death experience led him to Christianity, reshaping his perspective on Jewish history and his family's past. Throughout, Kai emphasizes the need for grace and dialogue as he navigates the complexities of intergenerational trauma.
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Childhood Discovery And Shame
- Kai discovered at school that his grandfather was Rudolf Höss, the commandant of Auschwitz, and felt intense shame upon learning the connection.
- He asked his mother and received a matter-of-fact confirmation that shocked him and made him not want to return to school.
Finding The Commandant's Autobiography
- At 16 Kai found Rudolf Höss's autobiography and read graphic accounts of killings that left him emotionally broken.
- He felt deep pity for Jewish victims and wondered if he could somehow do something to atone or offer comfort.
Public Confrontation At Film Screening
- Kai attended an 80th-anniversary screening of The Zone of Interest and spoke publicly about his family's legacy.
- Audience members, including survivors and younger viewers, responded with empathy and praised his willingness to confront the past.
