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On a somber note, the world bids farewell to Eva Schloss, a resilient survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp and the stepsister of renowned diarist Anne Frank. Schloss passed away at the age of 96 in London, as confirmed by the Anne Frank Trust UK, where she served as honorary president.
King Charles III of the United Kingdom expressed admiration for Schloss, stating he felt “privileged and proud” to have known her. He emphasized that despite the incomprehensible horrors she experienced in her youth, she dedicated her life to fighting against hatred and prejudice. Her unwavering commitment to promoting understanding, kindness, and resilience through her work with the Anne Frank Trust UK inspired many around the globe.
Early life and struggles
Born as Eva Geiringer in Vienna in 1929, Schloss and her family fled to Amsterdam following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. In Amsterdam, she formed a bond with Anne Frank, another Jewish girl who would later capture the horrors of the Holocaust in her diary, which remains one of the most important documents from that era.
Both families went into hiding in 1942 to escape the Nazis, but their hopes were dashed when they were betrayed and subsequently arrested. They were deported to the Auschwitz death camp, where Schloss, alongside her mother Fritzi, managed to survive until liberation by Soviet forces in 1945. Tragically, her father Erich and her brother Heinz did not survive the camp.
A new beginning
After the war, Eva relocated to the UK, where she eventually married Zvi Schloss, a fellow Jewish refugee from Germany. In 1953, her mother married Otto Frank, the only surviving member of Anne Frank’s immediate family. The loss of Anne, who succumbed to typhus in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at just 15 years old, left a profound impact on Schloss.
Commitment to education and remembrance
For many years, Schloss kept her traumatic experiences private, feeling unable to articulate the pain of her past. In 2004, she reflected on this silence, acknowledging how the trauma of war made her withdraw from the world. “I was silent for years,” she recounted, “first because I wasn’t allowed to speak. Then, I repressed it. I was angry with the world.”
However, everything changed for her in 1986 when she spoke at the opening of an Anne Frank exhibition in London. This marked the beginning of her journey as a dedicated educator, sharing her story and the lessons of the Holocaust with younger generations. Over the decades, she became a prominent voice, addressing audiences in schools, prisons, and international conferences, and authoring several books, including Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale by the Stepsister of Anne Frank.
Legacy and impact
Schloss remained active in her advocacy well into her 90s, emphasizing the importance of education in combating prejudice and discrimination. In a statement made in, she urged, “We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other.’” Her words resonated with many, reminding us of the necessity to respect all races and religions, and to cultivate understanding amidst our differences.
Her family described her as a remarkable individual who tirelessly worked for peace and remembrance. They expressed hope that her legacy would continue to inspire future generations through the numerous resources she has left behind. Schloss is survived by her three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will carry forward her commitment to education and remembrance.