Eva Schloss Holocaust Survivor and Anne Frank Step-sister Dies at 96

A voice for the voiceless has gone silent. Eva Schloss, the Auschwitz survivor who dedicated her life to keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive, has died at the age of 96. Her foundation announced on January 4, 2026, that the step-sister of diarist Anne Frank passed away in London, leaving behind a legacy of tireless advocacy for peace and understanding.

The Legacy of Eva Schloss as a Holocaust Educator

Born Eva Geiringer in Austria in 1929, her life was upended when the Nazis invaded her home country. After fleeing to the Netherlands, her family lived across from the Frank family. Tragically, on her 15th birthday, she and her family were betrayed and sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau. While Eva and her mother survived, her father and brother perished in the camps. In 1990, she co-founded the Anne Frank Trust UK to educate young people about the dangers of prejudice.

A Connection Beyond the Diary of Anne Frank

Following the liberation in 1945, Schloss's mother married Otto Frank, the father of Anne Frank and the only surviving member of that family. This personal tragedy bound Eva to one of history's most poignant symbols of the Holocaust. King Charles III expressed his deep sadness, noting that he was "privileged and proud" to have known her. Schloss was awarded an MBE in 2013 for her contributions to Holocaust education.