Harry Donenfeld

Early years

Harry Donenfeld was born into a Jewish family in Iași, in the Kingdom of Romania, and at the age of five emigrated to the United States with his parents and his brother Irving. A few years later the family was joined by Harry's two elder brothers Charlie and Mike. Little is known of his early life, as is common with many people entering America during the days of mass immigration; but the family entered America via Ellis Island and took up residence in New York City on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

Donenfeld spent his early life in and out of school, and later in and out of gangs, refusing to settle down or find an occupation like his brothers, who had set up a printing enterprise. Harry became a clothing salesman working in the city, saw himself as a class above the ordinary working man, and wanted a better life, preferably without hard work. After he avoided the draft in 1917, he married Gussie Weinstein (1898–1961) in 1918, and thanks to a loan from her parents he was able to open a clothing store in Newark, New Jersey.

Harry's son Irwin Donenfeld was born in 1926, and worked for the firm from 1948 to c. 1968, holding the titles of editorial director and executive vice president. Harry's daughter Sonia (known as "Peachie") was born in 1927. She was married to Fred Iger in 1947, had 2 children and the marriage ended in divorce after 15 years.