Eva Schloss, the stepsister of Anne Frank and a beacon of hope forged in the darkness of the Holocaust, has passed away at the age of 96. Her life was a testament to resilience, a powerful rebuke to hatred, and a lifelong dedication to ensuring the horrors she endured would never be repeated.
Born in Vienna in 1929, Eva Geiringer’s childhood was shattered by the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. Forced to flee with her family, they sought refuge in Amsterdam, unknowingly entering a city soon to be gripped by fear and persecution.
In Amsterdam, a remarkable friendship blossomed between young Eva and another Jewish girl her age, Anne Frank. Their shared experiences, though tragically cut short for Anne, would forever link their stories in the annals of history.
Like the Franks, Eva’s family was compelled to live in hiding for two agonizing years, desperately evading capture as the Nazi occupation tightened its grip. But betrayal came, leading to their arrest and the unimaginable horrors of Auschwitz.
Within the barbed wire and smoke of Auschwitz, Eva and her mother, Fritzi, clung to life, enduring starvation, brutality, and the constant threat of death. Her father, Erich, and brother, Heinz, were not so fortunate, perishing within the camp’s walls.
Liberation by Soviet troops in 1945 brought an end to the nightmare, but the scars of Auschwitz would remain. Eva, along with her mother, began the arduous journey of rebuilding a life shattered by unimaginable loss.
She eventually found a new home in Britain, marrying German Jewish refugee Zvi Schloss and settling in London. A poignant chapter unfolded in 1953 when her mother married Otto Frank, Anne’s father, creating an unexpected and deeply meaningful family connection.
For decades, Eva remained silent about her experiences, the trauma of war rendering her withdrawn and unable to share the weight of her memories. The pain was too profound, the wounds too fresh.
But in 1986, a turning point arrived. Speaking at an Anne Frank exhibition in London, Eva found her voice. She realized she had a responsibility to share her story, to educate future generations about the dangers of prejudice and the importance of remembrance.
From that moment forward, Eva Schloss dedicated her life to Holocaust education. She spoke in schools, prisons, and at international conferences, her words carrying the weight of history and the urgency of a warning.
Her memoir, “Eva’s Story,” became a powerful testament to her survival and a vital resource for understanding the Holocaust. She continued her tireless work well into her nineties, refusing to allow the lessons of the past to fade.
Even in 2019, at an advanced age, she traveled to California to confront teenagers who had been photographed making Nazi salutes, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to challenging hatred wherever it surfaced.
“We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other,’” she declared in 2024, her voice echoing with the wisdom of a life lived in the shadow of unimaginable evil. “We need to respect everybody’s races and religions.”
Her family remembers her as a “remarkable woman,” a survivor, an educator, and a tireless advocate for peace. Her legacy will endure through her writings, her story, and the countless lives she touched with her courage and compassion.
Eva Schloss is survived by her three daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, a testament to the enduring power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit. Her life serves as a profound reminder that even in the darkest of times, the light of understanding and empathy can prevail.
