He was of Polish, Czech, Georgian and Romanian ancestry through his father, Franciszek de Godzinsky, and of Dutch and Swiss descent through his mother, Maria Othmar-Neuscheller.

[1][2] George de Godzinsky's father was a Saint Petersburg-based civil servant and businessman who had strong ties to customers in Finland.

In 1935–36 de Godzinsky joined, as the lead pianist, the legendary opera singer Feodor Chaliapin on his renowned Far East tour.

De Godzinsky performed with Chaliapin in fifty-seven concerts in Manchuria, China and Japan.

The United States, Bergen, Norway, Warsaw, Poland and Paris, France tours of the Finnish National Opera, Helsinki, pursued between 1959 and 1965 proved to be some of de Godzinskys career highlights.