Comedian Trevor Noah and tennis legend Roger Federer recently teamed up for an ad for the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, raising conversation about Trevor Noah’s ties to Switzerland. Some speculated that Trevor’s ties to the Swiss country could be traced to his father, Robert Noah, who they think originated from Switzerland.
Are they right or wrong?
Robert Noah was a South African businessman, activist, and father of renowned comedian and television host Trevor Noah. There are divergent views about where he was born. However, we can confirm that he has a Swiss-German origin, as Trevor Noah once revealed in one of his shows. Robert’s life was a series of triumphs and tragedies that shaped his legacy and impacted his family.
Robert Noah grew up during the apartheid era in South Africa, where racial segregation and discrimination were institutionalized. Despite his challenges, Robert was a determined and optimistic young man who believed in the power of education and activism to bring about change.
As a student, Robert Noah was involved in the anti-apartheid movement and participated in protests against the oppressive regime. His activism got him into several troubles with the apartheid government leading to several arrests and imprisonments.
Still, he remained committed to the cause and continued to fight for justice and equality. Robert Noah, and Trevor’s mother, Patricia Noah, were never married because their relationship was illegal. So Trevor was an illegitimate child in the eyes of the law.
Business Ventures and Family Life of Robert Noah
Patricia and Robert Noah met in Johannesburg. Robert was working as a chef at the time. He owned a restaurant in Johannesburg, South Africa, and had a stellar reputation in Canada and New York. In his kitchen, he employed black South Africans.
After the end of apartheid in 1994, Robert Noah focused on building his business ventures. He also provided for his family as he was a well-respected entrepreneur in his community. But Robert was never famous. The interest in his person only grew because of his son Trevor who is probably the most famous comedian of African descent.
In his old age, Robert became a devoted father to his three children, especially Trevor. However, Robert’s relationship with the comedian was a complex one.
Robert was significantly absent from the TV personality’s early life because he and Patricia split up when Trevor was 13 years old. However, they reconnected when Trevor became an adult.
Trevor has spoken publicly about the difficulties he faced growing up with a father who was often absent. Despite these challenges, he has also acknowledged the love and support his father showed him and his impact on his life and career.
In his memoir, Born a Crime, Trevor detailed the difficulties of living without a father. He also described his mother’s extreme measures to hide him from the government. He narrated how he was kept mostly indoors for the earliest years of his life until the end of apartheid rule.
Robert Noah’s Tragic Death and Legacy
In 2009, Robert Noah was tragically killed in a car accident while driving home from a party. The news of his death shocked and devastated his family and community. Trevor Noah has spoken publicly about the impact of his father’s death on his life and his comedy.
Trevor also wrote about his father’s legacy and the lessons he learned from him. He describes his father as a complex and flawed man driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion. Trevor credits his father with instilling in him a love of learning, a passion for social justice, and a sense of humor that has shaped his comedy.
In honor of his father’s legacy, Trevor established the Robert Noah Foundation, which aims to promote education, entrepreneurship, and community development in South Africa. The foundation provides scholarships, mentorship programs, and resources to support young people in pursuing their dreams and positively impacting their communities.
Robert Noah was a complex and dynamic figure whose life was marked by triumphs and tragedies. But despite his challenges, he never lost sight of his values and belief in the power of education and activism. He saw them as the necessary tools to bring about lasting change. His legacy continues to inspire his son Trevor and others his life and work have touched.