The Story of Leonardo Fossati-Ortega

Leornado’s story is the story of a person who lost his identity, who lost everything he believed in and counted on – relationships, family and ultimately his personal identity.

When I met him first in Buenos Aires he brought a box with him. Not knowing what treasure he had brought with him, I asked what was inside. He said, “this is all I have of my parents.” It was a little box – smaller than a shoe box – with some pictures and items that once belonged to his parents.

In March 2004, with doubts about his identity and with information that certified that he was not the son of those who had raised him, Leonardo contacted Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo - a human rights organization with the goal of finding the children stolen and illegally adopted during the Argentine dictatorship. Genetic testing confirmed, Leonardo was the son of two disappeared activists who were last seen at the former Quinta de La Plata Police Station, which functioned as a clandestine center of the military dictatorship.

Leonardo learned he was the son of Inés Beatriz Ortega and Leonardo Rubén Fossati. The couple was kidnapped on January 21, 1977 when Ines was seven months pregnant. From testimonies of survivors of the dictatorship, it was learned that Inés gave birth in the kitchen of the police station. Inés was able to share less than 5 days with her son until the guards announced that "El Coronel" wanted to meet him. The captors seized Leonardo to be given away to a family who would conceal his origins. His biological parents remain “disappeared”.

Today, the former Police Station and the Clandestine Detention Center has been commemorated as a Space for Memory of those persecuted during the times of state terrorism. Leonardo played an active role in the transformation of this space and does not hesitate to share his story as a tribute to not just his parents, but in defense of human rights worldwide.

Today he lives with his wife and children in Buenos Aires. His existential crisis helped him focus on what is really important and what makes a difference – being appreciative of what you have and enjoying life. Not looking at the challenges of the past – but the opportunities in the future.