Remembering Eva Schloss-Geiringer: Her Legacy Lives On

It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Eva Schloss-Geiringer, who died on January 3, 2026, at the age of 96 in London. Eva, a Holocaust survivor, was born in Vienna on May 11, 1929, and lived during a time of significant upheaval for the Jewish community.

Early Life and the Holocaust

In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, putting Eva and her family at risk. They moved to Amsterdam in February 1940, settling at Merwedeplein square, just opposite Anne Frank’s home. Eva befriended Anne, and both girls, alongside other children, enjoyed a brief childhood before the onset of war.

In 1942, the Geiringer family went into hiding after Eva’s brother, Heinz, received a summons to work in Germany. Tragically, they were discovered due to betrayal and deported to Auschwitz on Eva’s fifteenth birthday, May 11, 1944. While Eva and her mother survived, they lost Heinz and their father, Erich, in the atrocities of the camp.

Life After Liberation

Following the liberation of Auschwitz by the Soviet army on January 27, 1945, Eva and her mother returned to the Netherlands, where they encountered Otto Frank, Anne’s father. Otto became a pivotal figure in Eva’s life, encouraging her passion for photography. In 1952, she married Zvi Schloss, and Otto later married her mother in 1953.

Spokesperson for Remembrance

For over four decades, Eva remained silent about her experiences. It wasn’t until 1988, during an exhibition honoring Anne Frank in London, that she began sharing her story. Motivated by the ongoing issues of racism and intolerance, Eva traveled globally, speaking at schools, universities, and prisons, often in partnership with the Anne Frank Trust UK.

Legacy and Recognition

In 1996, Eva participated in the USC Shoah Foundation Institute’s project to document Holocaust survivors’ stories. She received an Honorary Doctorate in Civil Law from the University of Northumbria and was honored as a Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. In a gesture of reconciliation, her Austrian citizenship was restored in 2021.

• Book: Eva chronicled her experiences in “Eva’s Story: A Survivor’s Tale.”
• Documentary: She featured in “Eva’s Mission,” highlighting her pledge to recover her family’s hidden art and literature.
• Art Donations: Eva donated her brother Heinz’s thirty paintings to the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam.

Impact and Conclusion

Eva Schloss-Geiringer’s influence on Holocaust education and remembrance was significant. She often returned to Amsterdam, sharing her story with students, including a visit in 2017 to mark Anne Frank’s birthday. During her talks, she would reveal her tattooed number from Auschwitz, serving as a poignant reminder of her past.

Eva’s legacy lives on through her daughters, grandchildren, and the many lives she touched with her story of resilience. As we reflect on her contributions, we wish strength to her loved ones during this difficult time.