Amsterdam's Anne Frank House Remembers Eva Schloss-Geiringer, Stepsister and Holocaust Survivor
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, along with the global community, shares its sorrow at the passing of Eva Schloss-Geiringer on January 3, 2026, at the age of 96 in London. Eva Schloss-Geiringer was not only a Holocaust survivor but also the stepsister of Anne Frank, playing a significant role in sharing stories of remembrance and resilience.
A Childhood in Amsterdam and the Onset of War
Born in Vienna on May 11, 1929, Eva Geiringer’s early life was marked by the growing threat of Nazi Germany. Following the annexation of Austria, her family, after a period of displacement, found refuge in Amsterdam in February 1940. It was on Merwedeplein square in Amsterdam that Eva met Anne Frank, who lived across the street. The two teenagers, along with other children from the neighborhood, shared ordinary childhood moments before the war escalated.
In 1942, the Geiringer family was forced into hiding after Eva’s brother, Heinz, received a summons for forced labor in Germany. They spent two years in hiding before being betrayed and subsequently arrested and deported.
Survival and a New Purpose with Otto Frank
On her fifteenth birthday, May 11, 1944, Eva was deported to the Auschwitz extermination camp. She, along with her mother, miraculously survived the horrific conditions, though her father, Erich, and brother, Heinz, perished. After the liberation of Auschwitz in January 1945, Eva and her mother returned to the Netherlands. During their long journey home, they encountered Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father, who had also survived the camp.
Otto Frank became a pivotal figure in Eva's life, first as a friend and later as her stepfather when he married Eva’s mother, Elfriede Geiringer-Markovits, in 1953. He encouraged Eva's passion for photography, providing her with a Leica camera, which led her to study photography in London, where she met her future husband, Zvi Schloss.
Eva's Powerful Legacy of Education and Remembrance
For over four decades, Eva Schloss-Geiringer maintained silence about her traumatic experiences in Auschwitz. Her decision to speak publicly came in 1988, coinciding with an Anne Frank exhibition in London. She recognized the urgent need to share her story to combat ongoing wars, persecution, racism, and intolerance, dedicating herself to a life of advocacy.
Eva traveled extensively, sharing her life story and message with honesty and courage in various settings, including schools, universities, and prisons. Her efforts often involved collaborations with organizations such as the Anne Frank Trust UK. In 1996, she contributed her testimony to the USC Shoah Foundation Institute’s Visual History Archive, ensuring her memoirs of the Holocaust were preserved for educational purposes. She also recorded her life story for the Anne Frank House. Her dedication earned her an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Northumbria and the distinction of Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
A Lasting Presence at the Anne Frank House
Eva’s impact on the Anne Frank House was profound and enduring. She was a constant presence, always ready to contribute her insights and experiences. In 2017, at 88 years old, she returned to Amsterdam at the museum's invitation to commemorate what would have been Anne Frank’s 88th birthday. In Anne Frank’s former home on Merwedeplein, directly opposite her own childhood residence, Eva shared her story with 13-year-old students from the Amsterdams Lyceum, the same school she and her brother had attended. She recounted her childhood, the period of hiding, deportation, and the immense loss she endured, even showing the tattooed number on her arm as a testament to her survival.
Eva Schloss-Geiringer's passing marks the end of a remarkable life dedicated to ensuring that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. Her courage and commitment to education have left an indelible mark on countless individuals worldwide. Musemap (musemap.art) honors her memory and her enduring legacy.
To learn more about the history of Amsterdam and explore other cultural institutions, you can browse museums in Amsterdam or discover more about the city’s heritage.
