Edith Frank

Error creating thumbnail:

A

Edith Frank (née Holländer; 16 January 1900 – 6 January 1945) was a German-born Dutch woman, best known as the mother of Anne Frank and Margot Frank. As a central figure in one of the most famous Holocaust narratives, Edith's life story is intertwined with the tragic history of her family during World War II.

Early Life

Edith Holländer was born in Aachen, Germany, into a prosperous Jewish family. She was the fourth child of Abraham Holländer and Rosa Stern. The Holländer family was well integrated into German society, yet they maintained strong ties to their Jewish heritage and traditions. Edith received a good education and was known for her strong will and independent nature.

Marriage and Family

In 1925, Edith married Otto Frank, a businessman from Frankfurt am Main. The couple settled in Frankfurt and had two daughters: Margot (born in 1926) and Anne (born in 1929). The Franks were a liberal Jewish family who valued education and culture. Edith was a devoted mother, deeply involved in her daughters' upbringing and education.

Emigration to the Netherlands

In response to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany, the Frank family emigrated to Amsterdam in 1933. Otto Frank established a business, and the family adapted to their new life in the Netherlands. Edith worked to make their home a welcoming place, despite the growing threat of Nazi persecution.

World War II and Hiding

After the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in 1940, the Frank family's situation became increasingly perilous. In July 1942, following Margot's receipt of a call-up notice for a Nazi work camp, the family went into hiding in the secret annex of Otto Frank's business premises. Edith Frank played a crucial role in maintaining the family's morale during their two years in hiding. Despite the constant threat of discovery and the challenges of living in confined quarters, she managed to provide a sense of normalcy and care for her family.

Arrest and Death

The Frank family was arrested on 4 August 1944, after being betrayed by an unknown informant. They were deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Edith Frank was separated from her husband and daughters upon arrival. She survived the initial selection but died of starvation and exhaustion on 6 January 1945, just days before the camp was liberated by Soviet troops.

Legacy

Edith Frank's legacy is primarily preserved through the diary of her youngest daughter, Anne, which has become one of the world's most read and influential books. The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, where the family hid, is now a museum dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust victims. Edith Frank is remembered as a symbol of maternal strength and sacrifice during one of history's darkest periods.