My history hero: Katya Adler chooses Rita Levi-Montalcini (1909–2012)

In profile

Rita Levi-Montalcini was a renowned neurobiologist who was a joint winner of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of nerve growth factor. Born in Turin to Italian Jewish parents, her early career was hindered by Mussolini’s Racial Laws and she had to go into hiding during the Nazi occupation of Italy. In 1992, she established a foundation to boost girls’ science education in Africa, and 10 years later she set up the European Brain Research Institute.

When did you first hear about Rita Levi-Montalcini?

When I had to help my daughter find an inspirational woman in history for a school research project. Rita, who achieved such amazing things against the odds, really struck a chord with me and my daughter. Her life story also provides a new lens on a fascinating period in history.

What kind of woman was she?

Rita was a strong, determined, intelligent woman, but was born in the early 20th century – still a sexist time. Initially wanting to be a writer, she went into medicine after a close family friend died of stomach cancer. She was an outstanding student but, as a Jew in Fascist Italy, she was barred from working at a university.

Headstrong Rita set up a laboratory in her bedroom instead. When the Germans invaded Italy in 1943, she was hidden by non-Jewish Italians to save her from a concentration or death camp, and continued her research in an ‘underground’ laboratory.

What made her a hero?

First and foremost, her medical research, which is key to our understanding of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. She’s one of only 25 women to have won a Nobel prize for science, so that was a massive triumph. I also love the fact that, despite the difficulties she faced, Rita never gave up.

She always kept hope alive – continuing with her scientific research until she died, aged 103. Another thing I admire is the way she championed both the young and the elderly. Her motto was “add life to your years” – make the best of things and live life to the fullest!

What was her finest hour?

I don’t think there was any one finest hour. Instead, I’d argue that it was a life well lived – she never stopped trying to make the world a better place. The most impressive people I talk to as a journalist are not necessarily political leaders or celebrities but those who, like Rita, break down barriers and try to fight prejudice.

Is there anything that you don’t particularly admire about her?

Rita was embroiled in a funding scandal for a medical drug later in life. I think it’s important to know when a public figure messes up – but do you ‘cancel’ the life of someone who sought to make the world better?

That said, I do find it rather troubling that she credited her success in part to eating one meal a day and not having a life partner – I wouldn’t want my daughters to grow up thinking a woman had to live her life that way to be successful.

What would you ask her if you could meet her?

I’d invite her to join me and another hero of mine, Al-‘Ijliyyah [the 10th-century Muslim astronomer and astrolabe maker credited with creating the foundations of modern GPS navigation systems] around the dinner table – along with other innovating women. I’m sure it would make for a lively, thought-provoking discussion.

Katya Adler has been the BBC’s Europe editor since 2014. She has twice been named Broadcast Journalist of the Year.

This article was first published in the October 2025 issue of BBC History Magazine