article_snippet: Born in Poland in 1945, von Hagens was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder and almost died aged six.
article_snippet: Aged 20, von Hagens entered the University of Jena medical school where von Hagens began to oppose the Communist system under which von Hagens lived.
article_snippet: Attempting to flee to Austrian in 1969, von Hagens was imprisoned for two years.
article_snippet: Aged 26, von Hagens freedom was bought by West Germany where von Hagens completed von Hagens medical studies and entered the field of pathology.