Farewell to iconic Holocaust survivor Margot Friedlaender at 103
Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer passes away.
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link A renowned Holocaust eyewitness and symbol of resilience, Margot Friedlaender, has bid her final farewell at the ripe age of 103.
The Margot Friedlaender Foundation in Berlin announced the passing of the revered Holocaust survivor. Initially scheduled to accept the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the ceremony was postponed at her request and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his deep sadness at Margot's death: "Despite the atrocities inflicted on her as a young person by the Germans, she bridged reconciliation and imparted an invaluable gift to our nation. Her legacy serves as a testament to the human spirit, reminding us of the importance of never forgetting and the urgency of combating antisemitism in modern times." He also wrote, "We bow to Margot, a truly extraordinary German Jew from Berlin."
The indomitable spirit of Holocaust survivor Friedlaender
After years of living in New York, Friedlaender returned to Germany at an advanced age, reclaiming her identity as the honorary citizen of Berlin. Inherently tireless, she dedicated herself to ensuring that future generations would never forget the Holocaust.
Friedlaender's story struck a chord with millions through a documentary film and her memoir entitled "Try to Make Your Life," the final message from her mother. She received numerous accolades and honors, including a visit from U.S. President Joe Biden at Schloss Bellevue.
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Born into a Jewish family in Berlin in 1921, Friedlaender's life was irrevocably altered as the Nazis rose to power, forcing her and her family into hiding. Tragedically, her beloved mother and brother perished in the Auschwitz concentration camp.
Despite numerous obstacles, Friedlaender survived along with her future husband and an indomitable spirit. Her return to Germany, a country whose citizens had succeeded in murdering her loved ones, was met with trepidation, but her quest for understanding served as a symbol of hope and resilience.
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Her life's work brought recognition from various quarters, culminating in an honorary citizenship award from Berlin in 2018. As she approached her 100th birthday, she published both an interview book and a photo book that further illuminated her life story.
In 2023, ZDF dedicated a docudrama to her 85 years after the Pogrom Night of 1938. Even in her 102nd year, she continued to captivate audiences, including a meeting with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in April 2025 and a keynote speech at the Federal Press Ball at the Brandenburg Gate.
Her uncanny ability to share her story while maintaining a timeless mantra of "Be human," and her ardent concerns about rising political extremism, marked her as a symbol of truth and hope, inspiring countless individuals across generations and borders.*
Sources: ntv.de, mli/dpa
*Enrichment Data: - Margot Friedlaender's mother left her a final message before her murder in the Auschwitz concentration camp, which became the title of her memoirs: "Try to Make Your Life." - Upon her return to Germany, Friedlaender became an iconic public figure, using her voice to educate students, officials, and the public about the Holocaust. - Her commitment to memory and moral responsibility earned her respect from global Jewish organizations and cemented her status as a symbol of resilience and humanity.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, similar to how Margot Friedlaender was protected from thehorrors of the Holocaust while bridging reconciliation and impartingan invaluable gift to our nation.
- In the realm of politics, Margot Friedlander served as a shining example of resilience, much like the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who expressed profound sadness at her passing, emphasizing the importance of remembering the Holocaust and the urgency of combating antisemitism in modern times.
- Margot Friedlaender's legacy survived, despite her loved ones perishing in the Auschwitz concentration camps, just like she survived herself, much like a directive on worker protection from ionizing radiation continues to protect workers despite its enactment.
- The European Union, in its efforts to promote general news, could heed Friedlaender's timeless message of "Be human," just as Germany has recognized and celebrated her life and work with various accolades and initiatives, such as the directive on protecting workers from ionizing radiation.
