Anne Frank House Commemorates Margot Frank's 100th Birthday in Amsterdam
Monday, February 16, 2026, marks the one hundredth birthday of Margot Frank, the older sister of Anne Frank. The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam reflects on Margot's life, offering visitors a deeper understanding of her story, which is largely known through Anne's renowned diary and the testimonies of those who knew her.
Reflecting on Margot Frank's Centenary
Margot Frank was born in Frankfurt am Main on February 16, 1926, to Otto and Edith Frank. Three years later, her younger sister Anne was born. Facing escalating antisemitism in Germany, the family relocated to Amsterdam in 1933. Margot quickly adapted to her new surroundings, learning Dutch, excelling in school, and enjoying activities like tennis and rowing.
However, life dramatically shifted with the German occupation of the Netherlands in May 1940. Anti-Jewish measures increasingly restricted Margot's world. On July 5, 1942, she received a summons for what were described as labor camps, prompting the Frank family to go into hiding in the Annex the very next day.
Life in Hiding and a Sister's Unseen Story
While in hiding, Margot also kept a diary, a detail mentioned by Anne in her own writings on October 14, 1942: "Last night Margot and I were lying together in my bed... she asked if she might sometimes read my diary, I said yes, some parts, and then I asked about hers and I was allowed to read that too." Unfortunately, Margot's diary has not been preserved.
According to Miep Gies, one of the helpers, Margot was generally quiet and reserved in the Annex. Her feelings of loneliness were revealed in a note to Anne, where she expressed sadness about not having someone with whom to share her thoughts. Despite their different personalities—Anne describing Margot as "naturally good, kind and clever"—the sisters shared a close bond that deepened during their final six months after their arrest and deportation. They remained together until the end, with Margot succumbing to typhus in February 1945 at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, just days before Anne, at the age of 18 or 19.
Visitors interested in learning more about Margot Frank's life can explore dedicated resources, including the website Margot Frank 100.
To discover more about the historical impact of individuals like Margot Frank or to explore other significant cultural sites in the city, Musemap (musemap.art) helps you uncover compelling stories and experiences. You can find more museums in Amsterdam or view them on a map to plan your next visit.
