Leo Buscaglia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Leo Buscaglia
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Buscaglia in 1989
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| Born | March 31, 1924 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Died | June 12, 1998 (aged 74) Glenbrook, Nevada, United States |
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| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
Felice Leonardo Buscaglia (born March 31, 1924 – died June 12, 1998) was a famous American writer and speaker. People often called him "Dr. Love" because he taught about the importance of love and human connection. He was also a professor at the University of Southern California.
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The Life of Leo Buscaglia
Felice Leonardo Buscaglia was born in Los Angeles, California, on March 31, 1924. His family had moved to America from Italy. He spent some of his early childhood in Aosta, Italy, before returning to the United States for school. He went to Theodore Roosevelt High School.
Serving His Country
Buscaglia served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He did not fight in battles. Instead, he worked in the dental section of a military hospital. There, he helped to fix the faces of soldiers who had been hurt. This experience showed him the difficult side of war.
College and Teaching
After the war, Buscaglia used a special program called the G.I. Bill to go to college. This program helped soldiers pay for their education. He attended the University of Southern California. He earned three degrees there. Later, he became a professor at the same university.
Buscaglia was known for his friendly and unique personality. He would often introduce himself to people he met, even in an elevator. He believed every meeting was a special chance to connect. He also loved to study nature. He would collect leaves from his yard and bring them inside. He was amazed that every leaf was different. He thought this showed how much care God put into creating everything, including people.
The Power of Hugs
Leo Buscaglia was the first person to talk about how important hugs are for people. He believed that hugs were essential for our well-being. He famously said that we need:
- 5 hugs to survive
- 8 hugs to keep going
- 12 hugs to truly thrive
When he retired, the university gave him a special title: Professor at Large. This was a rare honor given to only a few people at that time.
His Final Years
Leo Buscaglia passed away from a heart attack on June 12, 1998. He was 74 years old. He died at his home in Glenbrook, Nevada, which is near Lake Tahoe.
