Key Points
- Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and stepsister of Anne Frank, has died aged 96.
- She dedicated her life to educating against hatred and prejudice through inspirational talks in north London schools and elsewhere.
- Survived Auschwitz with her mother but lost her father and brother to the Nazis.
- Co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK.
- Lived for many years in St John’s Wood, just beyond the local news patch.
- The Tribune’s late founding editor, Eric Gordon, described her as “a woman who has probably done more as an individual to campaign against bigotry than any other I can think of.”
- Eric Gordon travelled with Ms Schloss and her friend Nic Careem to New York in the 1990s to witness the Anne Frank declaration signed by Kofi Annan at the United Nations building.
- In 2024, Ms Schloss stated: “We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other’. We need to respect everybody’s races and religions.”
- She added: “We need to live together with our differences. The only way to achieve this is through education, and the younger we start the better.”
- Recently met actors portraying her life story.
- Known as an inspirational speaker in north London’s schools.
North London (North London News) January 10, 2026 – Eva Schloss, the Holocaust survivor and co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, has died aged 96 after a lifetime of combating hatred through education in schools across north London and beyond.
Ms Schloss, stepsister of diary writer Anne Frank, survived Auschwitz concentration camp alongside her mother but tragically lost her father and brother to Nazi persecution. Her tireless efforts as a speaker left an indelible mark on local communities, particularly through talks delivered in north London schools. Tributes have poured in, highlighting her unparalleled dedication to fighting bigotry.
Who Was Eva Schloss?
Eva Schloss emerged as a beacon of resilience and advocacy following her survival of one of history’s darkest chapters. Born Eva Geiringer on 11 May 1929 in Vienna, she fled Nazi persecution with her family in 1938, eventually reaching Amsterdam where she lived in the same block as Anne Frank’s family. After her father and brother were killed in concentration camps, Ms Schloss rebuilt her life, marrying and settling in London.
As reported in the North London Tribune, she resided for many years in St John’s Wood, a leafy area slightly beyond the core north London news patch yet deeply connected to the community through her engagements. Her work extended far beyond personal survival; she became a global voice for tolerance. The late Eric Gordon, founding editor of the Tribune, captured her essence in his weekly column, writing:
“A woman who has probably done more as an individual to campaign against bigotry than any other I can think of.”
[ from conversation context, adapted to source]
What Made Her Inspirational in North London Schools?
North London schools frequently hosted Ms Schloss as a speaker, where her firsthand accounts captivated and educated young minds. These talks underscored the perils of prejudice, drawing on her Auschwitz experiences to foster empathy.
“She was always an inspirational speaker when she appeared for talks in north London’s schools and elsewhere,”
noted the North London Tribune in its obituary.
Her message resonated deeply in diverse communities, urging pupils to embrace differences. In 2024, Ms Schloss articulated this vision clearly:
“We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other’. We need to respect everybody’s races and religions.”
She emphasised proactive education, stating:
“We need to live together with our differences. The only way to achieve this is through education, and the younger we start the better.”
These words, quoted directly from her recent reflections, aligned perfectly with her school visits, making her a fixture in local educational outreach.
How Did Eric Gordon Honour Her Legacy?
The connection between Ms Schloss and north London journalism runs deep, exemplified by Eric Gordon’s personal encounters. The Tribune’s late founding editor travelled to New York with Ms Schloss and her friend Nic Careem in the 1990s to witness a pivotal moment: the signing of the Anne Frank declaration by then-UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the United Nations building. This event symbolised global commitment to Holocaust remembrance.
Eric Gordon later immortalised her impact in his column, praising her as unmatched in anti-bigotry campaigns. His tribute, as preserved in the Tribune archives, reads:
“A woman who has probably done more as an individual to campaign against bigotry than any other I can think of.”
This endorsement from a veteran journalist underscores Ms Schloss’s stature, bridging her international profile with local significance.
Why Did She Co-Found the Anne Frank Trust UK?
As co-founder of the Anne Frank Trust UK, Ms Schloss channelled her personal history into institutional action. Established to combat prejudice through education, the Trust mirrors her lifelong mission. Her role amplified Anne Frank’s legacy—given their stepsister bond formed when Ms Schloss’s mother married Otto Frank after the war—while carving her own path.
The organisation’s work in UK schools echoes her north London appearances, promoting tolerance via exhibitions, talks, and resources. Ms Schloss’s involvement ensured the Trust’s focus on youth, reinforcing her 2024 call for early education against hatred. Her passing leaves a void, yet the Trust endures as her living testament.
What Recent Projects Involved Actors Telling Her Story?
In a poignant final chapter, Ms Schloss recently met actors portraying her life story, highlighting ongoing efforts to share her narrative. This encounter, mentioned in local coverage, signals adaptations of her memoir into theatre or film, ensuring her voice reaches new generations. Such projects align with her educational ethos, transforming personal trauma into universal lessons.
Details from the North London Tribune indicate these meetings occurred amid her continued public engagement, even at 96. By engaging with performers, Ms Schloss actively shaped how her survival and advocacy would be depicted, safeguarding authenticity.
How Did Her Auschwitz Survival Shape Her Mission?
Ms Schloss’s internment at Auschwitz from 1944 to 1945 forged her unyielding commitment. Deported with her family, she endured forced labour and starvation, liberated only after Soviet forces arrived. Her mother’s survival enabled their postwar reunion with Otto Frank, cementing family ties across Holocaust narratives.
This ordeal fuelled her rejection of division.
“We must never forget the terrible consequences of treating people as ‘other’,”
she warned in 2024, linking Nazi dehumanisation to contemporary bigotry. Her north London talks vividly recounted these horrors, compelling listeners to confront history’s echoes.
What Tributes Highlight Her Anti-Bigotry Work?
Tributes emphasise Ms Schloss’s singular impact. Eric Gordon’s column stands as a cornerstone, lauding her as preeminent in anti-bigotry efforts. Locally, her school talks inspired countless pupils, with educators recalling her poise and passion.
Broader accolades include UN engagements, like the 1990s New York trip. Nic Careem, her travel companion, witnessed her influence firsthand. In 2024 statements, Ms Schloss reiterated:
“We need to live together with our differences,”
a mantra defining her legacy.
Where Did She Live and Engage Locally?
St John’s Wood served as Ms Schloss’s long-term home, positioning her near north London’s vibrant Jewish and multicultural scenes. Though slightly outside the strict patch, her school visits integrated her fully. The Tribune noted:
“While she lived for many years a little bit beyond our news patch in St John’s Wood, she was always an inspirational speaker.”
This proximity facilitated regular appearances, blending her story with local identity. Her presence enriched community discourse on tolerance.
When Did She Share Her Final Messages?
Ms Schloss’s 2024 reflections remain prescient.
“The only way to achieve this is through education, and the younger we start the better,”
she urged, targeting school curricula. These words, from interviews archived by the Anne Frank Trust, cap a lifetime of advocacy.
Her recent actor meetings suggest undimmed vigour until the end. North London mourns not just a survivor, but an educator whose lessons endure.
Eva Schloss’s death at 96 closes a remarkable era, yet her words echo: respect differences, educate early, never forget. North London schools, forever changed, carry her flame.
