Eva Schloss, a survivor of Auschwitz and the stepsister of Anne Frank, passed away at the age of 96 in London. She was known for her tireless efforts in educating people about the Holocaust. King Charles expressed his admiration for Schloss, who co-founded a charitable trust aimed at combating prejudice among young individuals.
Originally named Eva Geiringer, Schloss escaped from Vienna to Amsterdam with her family after Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. She formed a close bond with Anne Frank, a fellow Jewish girl, during their time in hiding in the Netherlands to evade Nazi capture. Unfortunately, they were eventually discovered, leading to their arrest and deportation to Auschwitz.
Despite the tragic loss of her father and brother in Auschwitz, Schloss and her mother survived until the camp’s liberation in 1945. Following the war, she resettled in London after marrying Zvi Schloss, a German Jewish refugee. Remarkably, her mother later married Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father, who was the sole survivor of his immediate family.
Initially hesitant to share her wartime experiences, Schloss eventually dedicated her life to Holocaust education after speaking at an Anne Frank exhibition in London in 1986. She actively engaged in speaking engagements at schools, prisons, and international conferences, as well as authored books like “Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale by the Stepsister of Anne Frank.”
Schloss continued her advocacy well into her 90s, traveling to address important issues such as combating Holocaust denial and promoting tolerance and education. Her family described her as a remarkable woman, emphasizing her legacy of remembrance, understanding, and peace. Eva Schloss is survived by her three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In honor of her impactful work, her family expressed hope that Schloss’s legacy will endure through the various resources she left behind.