# Edith Frank-Holländer > Mother of Holocaust diarist Anne Frank (1900–1945) **Wikidata**: [Q7337](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7337) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Frank) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/edith-frank-hollander ## Summary Edith Frank-Holländer (1900–1945) was a German-born Jewish mother of Holocaust diarist Anne Frank and a housewife who lived through Nazi persecution. Her most significant role was as a devoted parent and family manager during one of history’s darkest periods. ## Biography - Born: January 16, 1900, in Aachen, Germany - Nationality: German - Education: Educated at a school in Aachen (specific institution: Q1537945) - Known for: Being the mother of Anne Frank, author of *The Diary of a Young Girl* - Employer(s): N/A (housewife) - Field(s): Domestic life, parenting ## Contributions Edith Frank-Holländer's primary contribution lies in her role as a mother and homemaker during the Holocaust. She supported her family through years of hiding from Nazi persecution, providing emotional and logistical care while in concealment with her husband Otto Frank and their daughters Margot and Anne. Her strength and resilience were foundational to the family's survival efforts during their time in the Secret Annex in Amsterdam. ## FAQs **What is Edith Frank-Holländer known for?** Edith Frank-Holländer is best known as the mother of Anne Frank, whose diary became one of the most widely read accounts of the Holocaust. **When and where was Edith Frank-Holländer born?** She was born on January 16, 1900, in Aachen, which was part of the German Empire at the time. **Did Edith Frank-Holländer have children?** Yes, she had two daughters: Margot Frank (born 1923) and Anne Frank (born 1929). **What happened to Edith Frank-Holländer during the Holocaust?** She went into hiding with her family in Amsterdam in 1942. After their arrest in August 1944, she was deported to concentration camps and died on January 6, 1945, in Auschwitz-Birkenau. **Was Edith Frank-Holländer involved in any publications or writings?** While she did not publish any works herself, her life story has been documented extensively in biographies and historical records related to the Frank family and the Holocaust. **Where did Edith Frank-Holländer die?** She died in Auschwitz-Birkenau, Poland, on January 6, 1945. ## Why They Matter Edith Frank-Holländer's enduring significance stems from her central role in the life of Anne Frank, whose published diary became a global symbol of hope, resilience, and remembrance during the Holocaust. Through her quiet strength and dedication to her family, Edith contributed to preserving the humanity and dignity of those who perished under Nazi rule. Her legacy continues to resonate through the impact of her daughter’s writings and the broader educational and memorial efforts they inspire. ## Notable For - Being the mother of Anne Frank, whose diary is among the most-read books worldwide. - Living in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. - Dying in Auschwitz-Birkenau shortly before the camp’s liberation. - Representing the countless mothers and families affected by the Holocaust. - Having her name commemorated in Holocaust remembrance projects, including *stolpersteine* (memorial stones) in Aachen. ## Body ### Early Life and Family Edith Frank-Holländer was born on January 16, 1900, in Aachen, Germany. She was the daughter of Rosa and Abraham Holländer. Her early life was spent in a Jewish family in a predominantly Catholic city in the Rhineland region. She later married Otto Frank in 1925, and the couple settled in Frankfurt am Main, where Otto worked in business. ### Marriage and Motherhood Edith and Otto Frank had two daughters: Margot (born February 16, 1923) and Anne (born June 12, 1929). As a housewife, Edith managed the household and raised her children, focusing on their education and emotional well-being. She played a key role in maintaining family stability during the rise of Nazi power and increasing anti-Semitic policies in Germany. ### Life in Hiding In 1933, the Frank family fled Nazi Germany for Amsterdam, Netherlands, seeking safety from persecution. However, following the German invasion of the Netherlands in 1940, the family once again faced danger. In July 1942, fearing deportation, the Franks went into hiding in the "Secret Annex" behind Otto Frank’s business premises at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. During the two years in hiding, Edith helped manage the household and supported her daughters emotionally and practically. She was known for her calm demeanor and resilience, even under extreme stress. The family was joined in hiding by the van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer. ### Arrest and Deportation On August 4, 1944, the Secret Annex was raided by the Nazi Security Police. Edith Frank-Holländer, along with her family and the others in hiding, was arrested and sent to the Westerbork transit camp. From there, they were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau in September 1944. ### Death and Legacy Edith Frank-Holländer died in Auschwitz-Birkenau on January 6, 1945, just months before the camp was liberated by Soviet forces. She never learned that her daughter Anne’s diary had been preserved by Otto Frank after the war. Her husband and Anne’s diary would later become central to Holocaust remembrance and education. Her life and death are commemorated in various ways, including the *stolpersteine* (memorial plaques) placed in Aachen and Amsterdam. These memorials honor the memory of individuals who were victims of Nazi persecution. ### Historical Significance Edith Frank-Holländer’s story is inseparable from that of her daughter Anne Frank, whose diary has become a global symbol of the Holocaust’s impact on families. Through her role as a mother and homemaker, Edith’s quiet strength and sacrifice continue to be remembered and honored in Holocaust education and commemoration efforts worldwide. ## References 1. Edith Frank - Holländer. Anne Frank Knowledge Base 2. Source 3. Find a Grave 4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 5. [Kaart van Edith Frank-Holländer aan Gertrud Trenz-Naumann, 8 november 1937. 1937](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12139/25db639f-3376-4de8-a98b-b54541b532ea)