Separated by Mistake: Austrian Women Reunite After 35 Years

Fri Oct 10 2025 13:40:40 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner, two women switched at birth in Austria, finally meet after decades of uncertainty about their identities.

Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner met after being switched at birth in a Graz hospital 35 years ago. Their lives took a dramatic turn when Doris discovered her true parentage through a blood donation test in 2012. The two women, both now in their thirties, reconnected via social media, leading to an emotional reunion. Families reacted with mixed feelings as they navigated the complexities of their newfound relationships.

Two Austrian women, who were switched at birth at a hospital in the southern city of Graz, have finally met each other 35 years later.

Doris Grünwald and Jessica Baumgartner were born at the LKH-Uniklinikum in Graz in October 1990. Both were premature, and shortly after their births, the babies were accidentally switched and given to the parents of the other family.

In 2012, Doris discovered she was not the biological daughter of her parents when a blood donation revealed a mismatch in blood type. This was the first sign that led her to uncover the truth about her origins.

Austrian public broadcaster ORF reported on the case in 2016, but at that time the other family could not be found. Jessica Baumgartner, raised by Herbert and Monika Derler, learned of her own switched identity when her blood type did not match her parents during her pregnancy. A doctor informed her about the case of the switched babies.

Jessica reached out to Doris through Facebook, and upon meeting, they described the experience as feeling like a reunion with a sister. We got along right away, Doris recounted, expressing an indescribably good feeling from their encounter.

Recently, their families also met, captured on film by an ORF TV crew. Monika Derler expressed her emotional turmoil upon learning of the mix-up, stating that despite the situation, Jessica will always be considered their child. Doris's mother, Evelin, shared that her family had grown larger and she finally felt certain about her daughter's true lineage.

The operations manager at the LKH-Uniklinikum, Gebhard Falzberger, issued an apology on behalf of the hospital, expressing regret for the mistake that occurred. Both families are now pursuing adoption and compensation as they navigate the complexities of their relationships. While Jessica acknowledges the relief of clarity, she also admits to experiencing mixed emotions, highlighting the emotional complexity of their situation.