Witnessing History: The Life and Legacy of Holocaust Survivor Margot Friedlaender
Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer passes away.
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Copy Link Margot Friedlaender, one of the most well-known survivors of the Holocaust, has passed away at the age of 103. Known for her powerful memoirs and tireless activism, she was set to receive the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The Margot Friedlaender Foundation in Berlin announced her death. The award ceremony scheduled for this Friday was cancelled at her request and will be rescheduled.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his deep sadness at her passing, stating, "Her legacy is a warning and a responsibility, especially in times when democracy is challenged and antisemitism is openly displayed again, it is our duty to never abandon the Jewish community in our country again." He added, "Margot Friedlaender taught us the power of forgiveness, even towards those who had perpetrated unspeakable atrocities."
Activism in Modern TimesFriedlaender, originally born in 1921 to a family of button makers in Berlin, trained as a fashion illustrator. After years in New York as an emigrant, she returned to Germany at an advanced age. The honorary citizen of Berlin tirelessly campaigned against forgetting, especially reaching out to the younger generation.
Her story became known through a documentary film and her memoirs "Try to Make Your Life" - that was the last message her mother left her. She received many awards and much recognition for her efforts, including a visit from US President Joe Biden at Schloss Bellevue.
From Darkest Times to Unprecedented RecognitionFriedlaender was caught and sent to the concentration camp of Theresienstadt, after miraculously surviving amidst indescribable suffering. She lost her mother, brother, and the rest of her family in Auschwitz. Despite this enormous personal loss, she returned to her homeland, Germany, at almost 88, after the death of her husband. To the land of the perpetrators. "Hate is foreign to me," she once said.
Impact on a NationMargot Friedlaender received much recognition in her homeland - a lovable, spirited old lady who could tell such impressive stories. A prize for student projects on the Holocaust and today's culture of remembrance bears her name. In June 2018 - at the age of 96 - she was made an honorary citizen of Berlin, and on her 100th birthday, an interview book and a photo book were published.
Throughout her activism, Friedlaender emphasized the importance of empathy, tolerance, and forgiveness. Even at the age of 102, she was a guest of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. In April 2025, she was the keynote speaker at the Federal Press Ball at the Brandenburg Gate.
Source: ntv.de, mli/dpa
- Holocaust
- Nazism
- Remembrance
Enrichment Data:Margot Friedlaender was a renowned Holocaust survivor, born in Berlin to a Jewish family of button makers. She trained as a fashion illustrator and, during her youth, had even landed a cover in Vogue. However, her life took a dramatic turn when she was interned during the Holocaust. Friedlaender lost her entire family in Auschwitz and was herself deported to the concentration camp of Theresienstadt, where she miraculously survived.
Despite the immense personal loss, Friedlaender embodied extraordinary resilience and became a symbol of hope. Her ability to find strength in the face of such tragedy influenced her later activism. After the war, she returned to Germany, determined to educate younger generations about the horrors of the Holocaust. Through her speeches, books, and appearances, she emphasized the importance of empathy, unity, and forgiveness. Her message resonated deeply, inspiring generations to value human rights and resist intolerance.
- 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 the protection Margot Friedlaender received when she was exposed in the concentration camps during the Holocaust.
- Margot Friedlaender, a Holocaust survivor and a symbol of resilience, shared stories of her experience in the Nazi concentration camps and her subsequent activism in the realm of Holocaust remembrance, politics, and general news.
- Much like Friedlaender's powerful legacy, the work of the Commission is aimed at reducing risks and fostering a safe working environment, as politically important as it is for the protection of workers after experiencing the horror of ionizing radiation.
- In their efforts to combat the risks associated with ionizing radiation and ensure worker protection, individuals can draw inspiration from the life and activism of Margot Friedlaender, a Holocaust survivor who taught us the power of forgiveness and the importance of not forgetting the atrocities of the past.
