King Charles Leads Tributes to Holocaust Survivor and Anne Frank’s Step-Sister, Eva Schloss
Eva Schloss, a Holocaust survivor and step-sister to Anne Frank, has died in London on January 3, 2024, at the age of 96. King Charles III was among those leading tributes to the remarkable woman, praising her dedication to combating hatred and promoting understanding.
The Anne Frank Trust announced Schloss’s passing, marking the loss of a vital voice in Holocaust education and remembrance. Queen Camilla, Patron of the Anne Frank Trust, also mourned the loss of a close colleague and friend.
A childhood Interrupted by War
Born Eva Schloss-Geiringer, her early life in Amsterdam mirrored that of her famous step-sister. Living on the Merwedeplein, directly opposite Anne Frank’s home, Schloss and her family were forced into hiding from the Nazis in 1944. After two years in hiding, they were betrayed, arrested, and deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Unlike Anne Frank, Schloss and her mother, Elfriede Frank, survived the horrors of Auschwitz, though barely. Tragically, her father and brother perished in captivity. The liberation by the Soviet army in January 1945 came at a devastating cost, leaving the family shattered.
A New Family and a Lifelong Mission
Following repatriation to Amsterdam, Elfriede Frank married Otto Frank, Anne frank’s father, who had also survived internment. this union created a unique and poignant family connection, linking two stories of resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.
For over four decades, Schloss dedicated her life to ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust were never forgotten. As co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, she played a crucial role in preserving Anne Frank’s legacy and educating generations about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination. Anne Frank’s diary, translated into 70 languages and having sold over 30 million copies, remains a powerful testament to the human spirit and a stark warning against intolerance.
Spreading a Message of Hope and Understanding
Schloss traveled extensively throughout Europe, particularly engaging with young people to deliver her message of hope and the importance of challenging hatred. “I have worked very, very hard to change people’s attitudes,” she told the BBC in June 2021. “Each person you convince not to be racist is a positive.”
King Charles, in a tribute posted on social media, expressed his profound sadness at her passing. He wrote, “The horrors that she endured as a young woman are impossible to comprehend and yet she devoted the rest of her life to overcoming hatred and prejudice… We are both privileged and proud to have known her and we admired her deeply.”
Life in London and Family Legacy
In 1951, Schloss moved to London to pursue her passion for photography. There, she met and married Zvi Schloss, a fellow German Jew who had fled Nazi persecution. The couple established a life in London, becoming British citizens and raising a family. Zvi Schloss passed away in 2016.
Eva Schloss is survived by her daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. Her family remembered her as “a remarkable woman: an Auschwitz survivor, a devoted Hol
Why: Eva Schloss died, prompting tributes from figures
