Survivor Margot Friedlaender, Holocaust Hero at 103
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Elderly Holocaust survivor Friedländer honored with the highest Order of Merit award - Holocaust survivor Friedländer honored with Germany's highest civilian award, Grand Cross of Merit
Pioneering Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlaender wasn't just a history-maker - she was a beacon of resilience and hope. After a harrowing childhood in Berlin under the Nazi regime, she immigrated to the USA, and it wasn't until later in life that she openly shared her story through her autobiography. In 2010, aged 88, she bravely returned to Berlin where she tirelessly spoke at schools, events, and established a foundation, advocating for Holocaust education and reconciliation.
- Margot Friedlaender
- Berlin
- Holocaust Survivor
- Foundation
- Promoting Holocaust Remembrance
Born Margot Bendheim in 1921, she experienced a tumultuous upbringing in Berlin. Her Jewish family was targeted by the Nazi regime, with her brother and mother being arrested by the Gestapo. To avoid arrest, Margot lived in hiding, undergoing a nose operation and dying her hair to evade detection. Unfortunately, she was eventually caught by Jewish informants and sent to the Theresienstadt concentration camp.
After the war, Margot moved to the United States with her husband, Adolf Friedlaender. They built a life together in New York, where Margot worked in a clothing store and as a travel agent. After her husband's passing in 1997, she was inspired to reflect on her past and decided to return to Berlin.
Upon her return, Margot immersed herself in educating young people about her experiences. She emphasized empathy as a powerful weapon against the world's evils, and her dedication to reconciliation earned her numerous awards and recognition from political leaders. Margot eventually passed away on May 9, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of hope and resilience.
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Margot Friedlaender immigrants to the United States after the Second World War.In 2023, Margot Friedlaender was awarded the Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for her tireless efforts in promoting Holocaust remembrance and reconciliation.Margot Friedländer lived in Berlin before immigrating to the USA, experiencing life under the Nazi regime and the Holocaust.German Cross of Merit was bestowed upon Margot Friedlaender at the Bellevue Palace in Berlin for her exceptional merit in politics and general-news, particularly in advocating for Holocaust education.
