Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor who spent decades educating younger generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance, passed away on January 3 in London at the age of 96. Her death was confirmed by her family and by the Anne Frank Trust UK, an organization she helped establish.
Born Eva Geiringer in Vienna in 1929, Schloss was forced to flee her homeland after Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. Her Jewish family eventually found refuge in Amsterdam in 1940. As a child, she lived near Anne Frank and formed a casual friendship with the girl who would later become one of the most recognized symbols of the Holocaust.
The family went into hiding in 1942 after Eva’s brother was ordered to report for forced labor. For nearly two years, they moved between secret locations before being betrayed. On Eva’s 15th birthday in 1944, the family was arrested and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Eva and her mother survived the camp and were liberated by Soviet troops in January 1945, but her father and brother were killed.
After the war, Eva returned to the Netherlands, where she met Otto Frank, the only surviving member of Anne Frank’s immediate family. In 1953, her mother married Otto Frank, making Eva Anne Frank’s stepsister. Encouraged by Otto, Eva later relocated to the United Kingdom, where she built a new life, married fellow refugee Zvi Schloss, and raised three daughters.
For many years, Schloss chose not to speak publicly about her experiences. That changed in the late 1980s when she felt compelled to address rising intolerance and historical ignorance. From that point on, she became a powerful voice in Holocaust education, sharing her testimony in schools, universities, prisons, and public forums around the world.
Schloss played a key role in founding the Anne Frank Trust UK and served as its honorary president. She also contributed her recorded testimony to international Holocaust archives and authored several books detailing her life and survival, helping ensure that future generations would not forget the past.
Tributes poured in following the news of her death. Britain’s King Charles III described her as an inspiring figure whose courage and humanity left a lasting impression. Leaders from educational and human rights organizations praised her lifelong dedication to combating racism and antisemitism.
Eva Schloss received numerous honors in recognition of her work, including an honorary doctorate and a knighthood. In a symbolic act of reconciliation, her Austrian citizenship was restored later in her life.
She is survived by her daughters, grandchildren, and extended family. In a statement, her family said her greatest hope was that her story would continue to educate and inspire people to stand against hatred and discrimination.
Eva Schloss’s life remains a testament to resilience, remembrance, and the enduring importance of historical truth.
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