Margot Friedländer: Holocaust survivor has died

The Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer died on Friday, May 9th, at the age of 103. This was confirmed, among other things, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner (52, CDU). Friedländer was an honorary citizen of the capital, where in 1921 she saw the light of day as the daughter of a Jewish family.

Her parents were murdered by the National Socialists in the Auschwitz concentration camp, and she was initially dipped, but was later deported to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. Like her later husband, she survived the horrors of the Nazi era and then moved to the United States. After the death of her husband, she returned to her home country at the age of 88 and settled in Berlin again. Until the end, she was passionate about forgetting the crimes during the Nazi era.

On Wednesday, two days before her death, Friedländer in Berlin took part in a commemoration lesson at the end of the war 80 years ago and read from her memories. Among other things, she warned everyone present: “For you. Be people. This is what I ask you to do: Be people.” Also Federal President: “‘Be People’ – with this appeal, Margot Friedländer has repeatedly turned to her fellow human beings and promoted humanity and tolerance.” The Federal President mourning the Holocaust survivor, the statement continues.

Friedländer was a carrier of numerous prizes and awards. Among other things, she was awarded the first class Federal Cross of Merit in 2023, and the Federal Cross of Merit was awarded to her in 2011. In 2022 she also received the honorary doctorate from the Free University of Berlin.