Sir Ivan: Carrying on His Father’s Legacy by Spreading Universal Love Through his Music

Sir Ivan: A personal story of survival of one man who rises from the ashes of the Holocaust and then reaches the pinnacle of success in America is one that needs to be told. Siggi B. Wilzig was a man whose ascendance from the evil of the Holocaust exemplifies the ultimate American dream. Losing 59 relatives in the Holocaust, Siggi B. Wilzig survived Nazi concentration camps: Auschwitz, and Mauthausen, to find hope and prosperity in America. After arriving in America, he ultimately created an oil and banking empire with more than 4 billion dollars in assets. His life story is encapsulated in the number one Amazon best-selling biography Unstoppable: Siggi B. Wilzig’s Astonishing Journey from Auschwitz Survivor and Penniless Immigrant to Wall Street Legend.

Siggi B. Wilzig was the only child in his Jewish school class of 1,500 students to survive the Holocaust. When he arrived in America at the age of 21 with only $240 dollars in his pocket he had no formal education and no business contacts. He earned his first dollar shoveling snow in the Bronx. Hard work was not new to Wilzig and he committed himself to whatever job he could find. From bow-tie presser in a sweatshop to various traveling salesman jobs, Siggi B. Wilzig had the desire to succeed. His exceptional and persuasive sales skills, personality, and work ethic drove him forward.  After meeting Naomi Sisselman, whom he married, they had three children: Ivan, Sherry, and Alan.

Wilzig started buying stock in Wilshire Oil Company of Texas with his sales commissions, formed an investment group, and ultimately convinced the board of directors that he possessed a strong business acumen. By the age of 39, Siggi B. Wilzig was elected president and chief executive officer of the American Stock Exchange-listed oil and gas producing company. Understanding that the future growth of Wilshire Oil Company depended upon cash led him to acquire a controlling interest in the Trust Company of New Jersey, a full-service commercial bank listed on NASDAQ. Wilzig grew TCNJ into one of the largest and most profitable mid-size banks in New Jersey. Having been selected as the first Holocaust survivor to lecture before cadets and officers of the United States Military at West Point, Wilzig’s mission was to teach the world the evils of antisemitism and to make sure future generations did not allow for another genocide against any culture.

Unstoppable, written by Joshua M. Greene, tells the tale of Siggi B. Wilzig’s story of survival and is an in-depth look at his astonishing journey of success. A true wake-up call, this book is a gripping account for those who deny the Holocaust and gives strength to those struggling to overcome adversity in life. One of the most articulate and entrepreneurial survivors, Wilzig is the ultimate David fighting Goliath. His journey in Unstoppable is a beacon of hope for all and instills the principles that perseverance and determination can overcome any obstacle of life.

In 1980, Nobel Prize laureate author Elie Wiesel was appointed head of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial by President Jimmy Carter. The first person he nominated to serve as the museum’s founding council member was Siggi B. Wilzig. Spending a lifetime combating hate through many lectures, Siggi B. Wilzig died in 2003 leaving the world with his memories and instructions to never forget how to combat injustice. His testimony was given to the Shoah Foundation, founded by Steven Spielberg.

“Soon there will be no one left to tell the story. Unstoppable is an inspiration to all because it tells the story that my father never gave up. He had the will to live in those concentration camps when mass murder and the death of innocent men, women, and children were all around him. Despite that, he came to America and made a life for himself to do good in the world. This book is for anyone who suffers from PTSD due to rape, violent crime, domestic abuse, tragic accident, and war. It is for all traumatized soldiers no matter what branch of the military they serve. Whoever reads this book can find the hope to go on living and overcome any adversity whether it be drug addiction or finding success in life. You can see what one man did in the worst-case scenario in the world and how he made the comeback of a lifetime. It is quite a journey of success and a story to find hope,” said Sir Ivan, Siggi’s eldest son.

Today, Ivan Wilzig, professionally known as Sir Ivan, is carrying on his father’s legacy by spreading universal love and peace through his music. As a celebrity electro-pop superstar, Sir Ivan has become a top 10 Billboard charting artist. For his first single, Sir Ivan chose the iconic Beatles song “Imagine” because the lyrics reflected Sir Ivan’s mission of creating a world without hatred. His unique take on the song broke the top 40 Billboard Club Play Chart. Released on September 4, 2001, just before 9/11, Ivan’s version made music history as it was the first time the slow rock ballad had been recreated as a high-energy dance song. His music has reached the Top 10 in the UK’s Music Week Chart alongside Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Rhianna. His anthem, “Kiss All the Bullies Goodbye” speaks to the nation’s teen bullying epidemic and the high suicide rate among the LGBTQ community. Having worked with famed musicians like Debbie Gibson, Paul Oakenfold, and Taylor Dayne, Sir Ivan’s music has touched lives.

A true advocate of human rights, Sir Ivan founded the Peaceman Foundation in 2005. The Peaceman Foundation is a private organization established to battle hatred and violence against those perceived as outsiders – and to treat those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a serious condition caused by a reaction to hatred and violence. Sir Ivan and his foundation have donated more than 500,000 dollars to a wide range of charities. Known as Peaceman, the ultimate real-life superhero fighting for peace and love, he performs in a cape with a giant peace sign centered on his back. Spreading the message of positivity for more than 20 years, Sir Ivan is a beacon of hope for anyone with struggles.

“We don’t want the 6 million Jewish people to have died in vain. We must ensure that future generations learn about prejudice, bigotry, racism, and genocide. You can see all over the world that antisemitism is growing and Holocaust education is extremely relevant today. We must learn from the past to prevent future killings in the future. It is not just about Jewish genocide, it is about bullying, name-calling, and roughing people up, that eventually leads to violence and murder. Society must stand up for each other and stay vigilant,” said Sir Ivan.

In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and society is divided by political views, the memory of the Holocaust is fading. Sir Ivan is an inspirational figure reminding contemporary society that we must never forget. He is an advocate for all in America facing PTSD or intolerance. Providing purity and the power of love through his music and charitable work, Sir Ivan continues to remind society that tolerance is not lost and above all acceptance can persevere.

To buy Sir Ivan’s father’s biography go to UnstoppableSiggi.com.  Sir Ivan’s music is available on all online music stores, and his latest album, “LIFE,” is available exclusively on Soundcloud for free.