The world has lost a towering figure of Holocaust remembrance with the death of Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank and a survivor of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. She was 96 years old.
A Life Dedicated to Memory and Education
Eva Schloss's remarkable life was defined by both profound tragedy and an unwavering commitment to educating future generations. Born in Vienna in 1929, she and her family fled to Amsterdam after the Nazi annexation of Austria, where they lived in the same neighbourhood as the Frank family.
After going into hiding for two years, the Schloss family was betrayed in 1944. Eva, then just 15, was deported with her mother to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. She survived the horrors of the camp, but her father and brother did not. Following the war, Eva's mother, Elfriede Geiringer, married Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father, making Eva the posthumous stepsister of the diarist whose words would become a global symbol.
Royal Tribute and a Lasting Legacy
News of her passing on 4 January 2026 prompted a heartfelt tribute from King Charles III. The monarch acknowledged her immense contribution to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and fighting prejudice.
The royal connection is deepened by the fact that Queen Camilla serves as the Patron of the Anne Frank Trust UK. Eva Schloss was instrumental in founding this educational charity and served as its Honorary President. The organisation works tirelessly in schools and communities across the United Kingdom, using Anne Frank's story to challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
The Unbreakable Spirit of a Survivor
For decades, Eva dedicated herself to sharing her testimony. She authored several books and spoke to countless audiences, ensuring the lessons of the past were not forgotten. Her work emphasised:
- Resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.
- The critical importance of standing up to hatred and intolerance.
- Educating young people to build a more compassionate future.
Her death marks the passing of one of the last living links to Anne Frank and a powerful, firsthand witness to the Holocaust. While her voice is now silent, the legacy of her courage and her decades of educational work will continue to resonate, inspiring new generations to fight for a world free from bigotry.
