> At a Glance
> – Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and Anne Frank’s stepsister, died Saturday in London at 96
> – Survived Auschwitz and spent decades teaching against hatred
> – Why it matters: Her global education work reached schools, prisons, and tech giants, reminding younger generations of the dangers of prejudice
Holocaust survivor Eva Schloss, who became Anne Frank’s stepsister after the war and turned her own trauma into a lifetime of education, has died in London at age 96, the Anne Frank Trust UK announced.
A Life Marked by Survival
Born Eva Geiringer in Vienna in 1929, she fled Nazi-annexed Austria to Amsterdam, where she befriended Anne Frank. After two years in hiding, both families were betrayed and deported to Auschwitz in 1944.
- Survivors: Eva and her mother Fritzi were freed by Soviet troops in 1945
- Lost: Her father Erich and brother Heinz perished in the camp
From Silence to Global Voice
Schloss stayed quiet for decades. “I was silent for years, first because I wasn’t allowed to speak. Then I repressed it,” she told the AP in 2004. Her public mission began after speaking at a 1986 Anne Frank exhibition in London.
| Milestone | Year | Action |
|---|---|---|
| First public talk | 1986 | Anne Frank exhibition, London |
| Confronted hate | 2019 | Met U.S. teens who made Nazi salutes |
| Tech advocacy | 2020 | Pushed Facebook to delete Holocaust denial |
A Legacy of Education
Co-founding the Anne Frank Trust UK, Schloss spoke in schools, prisons, and conferences worldwide. King Charles III said he was “privileged and proud” to know her, praising her devotion to “kindness, courage, understanding.”
Her family stated:
> “A remarkable woman: an Auschwitz survivor, a devoted Holocaust educator, tireless in her work for remembrance, understanding and peace.”
Key Takeaways
- Survived Auschwitz alongside her mother; lost her father and brother
- Became Anne Frank’s stepsister when their parents married after the war
- Championed education as the key to fighting prejudice until her final years
Eva Schloss is survived by three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her books, films, and Trust resources will carry her message forward.
