Her name was Cynthia Applewhite, and she was the 20-year-old daughter of a wealthy, upscale family. By signing up, you are consenting to our privacy policy. He before long communicated his affection towards her, and in something like fourteen days, they got ready for marriage. If she hadnt done that, we wouldnt have heard the great story of forgiveness and compassion, and Louie might not have been a world-famous character. . Had you ever seen your dad running in old footage? The couple underwent many trials, but were able to maintain a strong relationship. Billy Grahams showing committed him understand his errors and empowered him to excuse the people who had abused him during WWII. He was never afraid to face any kind of challenge. Cynthia: That was rough on us. Lisa: When Louis passed away, Clay took over his work with youth and the Victory Boys Camps that he started in 1952. Being a violent person and suffering from depression, Cynthia Applewhite showed the pathway to Louis to rediscover himself with the help of preacher Billy Graham. When did you understand who he was and what he had faced? He was also a Christian and dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth. Matthew Baer (producer of Unbroken): What age was he when he began to ski? Zamperini, who was a world class distance runner, was born in 1917 to Italian immigrants. He immediately decided that she was going to be my soul mate. Nouman Khan follows the money and covers all aspects here at The Flexy. As a journalist, Nouman Khan has contributed to many online publications including PAK Today and the Huffing Post. Like the book, the movie is haunting. CZP: I think its kind of sad when you try to do what your famous father has done. Terms under which this service is provided to you, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, MSNBC Show Host Mocking Conservative Justices Speaks Right to Alito's Point. We capture the raw, transparent glimpses into the joys, struggles, triumphs, heartache and tragedy that make up the fabric of an individuals journey. Morgan Eastwood Siblings: Meet the Children of Clint Eastwood, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt 2020 Surgery: What You Need to Know, Lorraine Braccio: The Inspiring Journey of a Successful Businesswoman, Success Abdul Kalam Quotes: 15 Inspirational Quotes. If you hurt yourself or got into any kind of trouble, he was the best person to get you out of the trouble, or save your life. Obviously, I picked up on that. I went out for ballet. Luke: Its interesting, I went with my dad to Germany a couple decades ago. We knew as children something of the initial film idea that never came to fruition. I know it feels horrible to have resentment against people, so I always try to let it go. He loves young people; he would always cross a crowded restaurant to say hello to a little kid or a charming baby. Zamperini has inspired millions through his books, and the movie, as well as a superlative runner who went to the Olympics in 1936, and when he was at USC, held the NCAA mile record for fifteen years. All Rights Reserved. RM: In this sequel, Unbroken: Path to Redemption, we see how Louis came to know Jesus and Billy Graham was a big part of that. Angelina Jolie Chokes Up Thanking Family of Late 'Unbroken' Subject We were very hopeful. RW: When you say he had a unique physique and running style can you explain that? Not just because of her accomplishments on the Cynthia Applewhite is the spouse of Louis Zamperini, the widely acclaimed moving speaker about absolution. And I believe the film was able to bring that part of his character across. Cynthia Zamperini met Louis when he returned from the war. Cynthia informed her family about their marriage on their wedding night. So now Luke and I are running it and Luke does a wonderful job going out and telling Louis story to kids that are in youth correctional facilities, just like Louis did. Carrie worked in book publishing for several years before getting an MFA in Creative Writing. When Unbroken ran its course and we were contacted that a sequel was in the works, we were just overjoyed. He was just loving and supportive. After his bomber was shot down in World War II, he survived forty-seven days at sea on a raft boat before being sent to the Japanese POW camps where he was brutally tortured, but the most life-changing aspect of Zamperinis story, his conversion to Christianity, wasnt showcased in the first film. Because of him, the other two fellows, survived. They grew up really fast, because they grew up in the Depression and then the war came and they had to be men. Its the reason why the story is going to touch everyone who sees it because you hope that you can beat age 81, after what hed been through, to have that glorious smile on his face and holding a flame thats representative of so much. Risen Magazine: Many are familiar with the story of Louis Zamperini from either his book or the Angelina Jolie-directed movie, Unbroken, that showcased aspects of his life. Next, Zamperini was transferred to Hawaii, where he was a crew member on another B-24. He ran all the time. Cynthia Applewhite Husband Cynthia married Zamperini on May 25, 1946. Luke Zamperini: He actually sold the rights to his story to Universal in 1957. But even as an adult, Ive probably read his autobiography half a dozen times, and Unbroken Ive read three times, and the films and just all the hundreds of time we have heard him tell the story, but it still is fantastic to fathom what he went through. In 1946, he married Cynthia Applewhite, and they had two children, a brother and two sisters. So, he fully understood and approved of the way the film was being made, and when he was in the hospital for the very last time, Angelina came early in the morning and showed the whole movie to him on her laptop and he was quite pleased with it. MB: A funny aside on that, in terms of how powerful this footage is. You will surely get traffic and exposure from us. This is your life story and this is the most important part of your story. And its the only time I can ever recall him getting upset with me. Luke Zamperini: I didnt go out for track and field, it was an impossible legacy to follow. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Listen, I knew him all my life and I thought I knew everything about his story, but I was reading that book was powerfully emotional for me and my brother and we learned, the way she wrote it, its just such an intimate and graphic description of what he went through. He was quite heroic around the house and out in the street. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zamperini. A guide in 10 simple points, The Ultimate Wedding Preparation Checklist and Timeline for Your Day, Using the Right Methodology to Understand Your Customers Behaviors, What is CBD? When was Cissy Zamperini born. One of the most powerful quotes in Unbroken comes when Hillenbrand writes, The war ended for Louie when he forgave the Bird. Is forgiveness something that your dad instilled in you and Luke growing up? So to read that, it was really painful and awakening and enlightening for us. Draggan Mihailovich, then senior producer of Olympic sports features for CBS Sports, filmed Zamperinis run as part of a documentary; a clip of that run appears at the end of Unbroken. Interestingly, the press conference also saw attendance of Louis' children Cissy Zamperini and Luke Zamperini. Cynthia: I just love this because when Angelina did her first rough cut of the film, her father had passed away a month or two before and she [invited] us to Universal to screen it for us and it was really traumatic because we had just lost our father. Wed met Franklin Graham in 2004, the last time the Graham Crusade came to Los Angeles. She is brilliant beyond words and her passion. He ran to the beach. Jolie was able to show him the film in the hospital and the 97-year-old was pleased with the film. HIs wife, a born again christian, told him to either go to the crusade or get divorced. LZ: Yeah, [Angelina Jolie] showed him pretty much everything up to the prison camp, she didnt show him the prison camp. CZG: He was not a team sports guy. When was Cynthia Applewhite Born?January twentieth, 1926, Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. CBN.com - NEW YORK -- Louis Zamperini is an American hero and the subject of Angelina Jolie's highly anticipated film, Unbroken, that opened nationwide in theaters this week.. His story is a remarkable one, highly worthy of being shared with millions on the big screen. Louis life was a circle back fundamentally on account of Cynthia staying close by. Approach correctly. Cissy Zamperini: The Woman Behind the Man. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. He had fallen into an oil tank. RM: Is Clay involved with the family legacy? He sees it all as a series of miracles. Louis knew he was floundering, but not even the birth of his daughter, Cissy, could bring him out of the darkness. LZ: Oh yeah, of course. He married Cynthia Applewhite in 1946. Even though he was a tortured soul early in his life, Zamperini learned to find deeper meaning in the miracles that sustained him. For forty-minutes he was doing a ballet with these sharks. She was 75 years of age as of 2001. RM ECJ34F - Hollywood, California, USA. Louis Zamperini's Family Talks 'Unbroken' - Military.com Cissy Zamperini, the wife of famed Olympian and WWII hero Louis Zamperini, is a woman whose story deserves to be told. Captured and tortured by the Japanese during WWII. Angelina Jolie Choked Up At The 'Unbroken' Event As She Pays Her Jolie's husband Brad Pitt was not seen at both the events. Here's what you'll find in our full Unbroken summary : Carrie has been reading and writing for as long as she can remember, and has always been open to reading anything put in front of her. He was there for us for anything that we were going through. Exclusive: Louie Zamperini's Daughter Doubts Anyone Today - Townhall On December 3, I watched a screening of Unbroken (directed, of course, by Jolie) in New York City. Its an insult to ones self to say, I only won silver; I didnt really win, when, God, youre the second fastest person in the world! Everyone was in joyful moods, and the horrors of the mens pasts seemed far away. Sign up for a free trial here . He was so excited about that. Did Cynthia Applewhite Zamperini & Louis Zamperini have any kids? Billy Grahams teaching made him realize his mistakes and gave him the ability to forgive those who had mistreated him during the second world war. Share what he said. Bullets were coming through the water. A second later, Louis looked down and realized he was strangling his pregnant wife. Then being on that life raft so long and helping his buddy Phil with his head wound. Louie Zamperini's Children: 'He Was Always an Athlete' Browse 1 cissy zamperini photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. We knew he was going to be there and we wanted to meet him. I think his name was Norman Bright. God says, If you suffer, Ill give you the grace to go forward. At those words, Louiss mind woke up. I love watching skiing, I love watching surfing, anything where its a person in the elements competing against other individuals, and I think I got that from my dad. Louie Zamperinis life hits big screens everywhere on Christmas Day. [He sounds exactly like his grandfather. She especially loves literary fiction, historical fiction, and social, cultural, and historical nonfiction that gets into the weeds of daily life. Their mission this time was searching for lost crew members and aircraft. He screamed wildly until the dish was taken away, and although Louis was able to calm him down, it was clear that their pasts were never out of reach. Kik;goddess_kiraxxx snap;goddes_kira02. Later Louis was involved in several business ventures which helped him raise some money, which helped him to rent a small apartment in Los Angeles. We won't share your email address and you can opt-out at anytime. He was 96 years old at the time, but he still had an eye for the ladies. CZG: He was always an athlete. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. He just inspired us with his faith to be people of faith. She ran fast and had an explosive start. Had WWII not happened, he might have been the first man to run the mile in less than four minutes. And my father would actually, he would pray for his enemies, or pray for people who had done wrong to him, and thats a wonderful way to let it out of you. Your email address will not be published. She never gave up on her son, who was only 8 years old at the time. And, you know, how do you live up to an athlete like that, as his children? So, he was terrified at times during horrific storms at sea and he would pray, If you get me through this, I will seek you and serve you for the rest of my life. When he got back from the war, he forgot about that promise. Director Angelina Jolie broke what some have called the movie curse. After Zamperinis life story was tossed around in Hollywood for years, Jolie finally committed to the project and what resulted is the two-hour heart wrenching epic, Unbroken. Zamperinis daughter, Cynthia Garris, spoke with Townhall at a press junket in New York on Friday, sharing how her dads fortitude and faith pulled him through the toughest trials of his life, and how it took an A-list movie star to finally bring his story to the silver screen. I dont think during World War Two, they had the kind of training that makes a Navy Seal or a para-rescue person. It just filled his heart with what he needed the most. It was quite beautiful. Louis used to get constant nightmares due to PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which led him taking illegal substances. Cynthia Garris: He loved to have fun. So you can kinda spot him in a pack of runners; youd always know which one was Louie Zamperini. He became a star runner after graduating from high school and set a world interscholastic mile record. Siblings of Louis Zamperini: Louis Zamperini had an older brother Pete Zamperini and two junior sisters also known as Virginia Zamperini and Sylvia Zamperini. And when he finally did lose to Norman Bright he went over and in truthfulness, congratulated him for winning that race, .css-1hr08dr{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#59E7ED;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-1hr08dr:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Louie Zamperini Dies at 97, Excerpt from Unbroken: How He Made the Olympic Team, Interview with Zamperini: On Running, Surviving, and His Seabiscuit Strategy, Q&A with Laura Hillenbrand: How She Met Zamperini, .css-17zuyas{display:block;font-family:Sailec,Sailec-fallback,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:bold;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-17zuyas:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.4;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-17zuyas{font-size:1.2rem;line-height:1.4;}}.css-17zuyas h2 span:hover{color:#CDCDCD;}USATF Mountain Running Championships Results, These High School Boys Have Run Sub-4 Minute Miles, Watch: 96-Year-Old Clocks a 24-Second 100 Meters, Stephanie Bruce Sneaks In a Race at Big Sur, Ultramarathoner Runs to Destigmatize Incontinence, Mark Zuckerberg Just Ran a Surprisingly Fast 5K. You know, Luke cut his own path and had his own life to live. What team did Louis Zamperini join. To know more about advertising opportunities, refer to our advertising page. Image Credit Birthday: January 26, 1917 ( Aquarius) Born In: Olean, New York 140 6 Quick Facts Died At Age: 97 Family: Spouse/Ex-: Cynthia Applewhite father: Anthony Zamperini mother: Louise Dossi siblings: Pete Zamperini children: Cissy Zamperini, Luke Zamperini American Men Aquarius Men Died on: July 2, 2014 place of death: Los Angeles