He, along with his brother, Edmond (1910–1953), were known as the "Titanic Orphans", having been the only children rescued without a parent or guardian.
Michel, bersama dengan saudaranya, Edmond Navratil (1910-1953), dikenal sebagai Yatim Titanic, karena merupakan hanya satu-satunya anak-anak yang diselamatkan tanpa orang tua ataupun wali.