Gabriella Szemrédi was barely twelve when, in November 1956, she and her family had to leave Hungary under fire; the United States became their new home. Dr. Zoltán Szemrédi also left in 1956 — alone, and without any financial means — to start a new life in America.

In recent years the founders have regularly supported the Foundation from their own assets, enabling the Szemrédi Charitable Foundation to help many students of Pannonhalma.