# Miep Gies > Dutch citizen who hid Anne Frank (1909–2010) **Wikidata**: [Q7335](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7335) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miep_Gies) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/miep-gies ## Summary Miep Gies was a Dutch citizen who is most famous for hiding Anne Frank and her family during the Holocaust, earning her recognition as a Righteous Among the Nations and other honors for her courageous actions. ## Biography - Born: February 15, 1909 - Nationality: Dutch - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Hiding Anne Frank and her family during the Holocaust - Employer(s): Affiliated with Opekta Nederland (organization identifier: Q1421421) - Field(s): Not specified in source material ## Contributions Miep Gies is primarily known for her role as a rescuer during the Holocaust. She is credited with hiding Anne Frank and her family from Nazi persecution. Her contributions include: - Rescuing Anne Frank and her family from Nazi capture during World War II - Preserving Anne Frank's diary after the family's discovery by the Nazis - Serving as a resistance fighter during the Holocaust era - Receiving recognition as a Righteous Among the Nations for her actions ## FAQs **What was Miep Gies' most significant achievement?** Miep Gies is most famous for hiding Anne Frank and her family from Nazi persecution during World War II, which helped save their lives and preserved Anne Frank's diary. **What awards did Miep Gies receive?** Miep Gies received several honors including the Righteous Among the Nations award from Israel, the Jan Karski Courage to Care Award, and the Raoul Wallenberg Award. **What was Miep Gies' role during the Holocaust?** Miep Gies served as a resistance fighter who helped hide Anne Frank and her family from Nazi authorities during the Holocaust. ## Why They Matter Miep Gies' actions during the Holocaust had profound and lasting impacts. By hiding Anne Frank and preserving her diary, she ensured that Anne's story would be documented and shared with the world. Her courage in defying Nazi authorities during one of history's darkest periods serves as an example of moral courage and resistance. Without her actions, Anne Frank's diary might not have been preserved, and the world would have lost one of the most important testimonies of the Holocaust. Her recognition as a Righteous Among the Nations has inspired generations to recognize the importance of standing up against injustice and helping those in need. ## Notable For - Being recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Israel for saving Jews during the Holocaust - Receiving the Jan Karski Courage to Care Award for rescuers of Jews during the Holocaust era - Receiving the Raoul Wallenberg Award from the United States for her humanitarian work - Being a resistance fighter who helped save Anne Frank and her family from Nazi persecution - Preserving Anne Frank's diary after the family's discovery by the Nazis ## Body ### Early Life and Background Miep Gies was born on February 15, 1909, in the Netherlands. She was a Dutch citizen who lived during a period when the Netherlands was under Nazi occupation from 1940 to 1945. Her full birth name was Hermine Santrouschitz, though she was commonly known as Miep Gies. ### Career and Occupation Miep Gies worked as an employee at Opekta Nederland, a company that manufactured pectin (a substance used in making jams and jellies). This position provided her with access to the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family were hiding. Her role at Opekta allowed her to maintain contact with the Frank family and provide them with essential supplies during their time in hiding. ### The Holocaust and Anne Frank During World War II, Miep Gies played a crucial role in helping Anne Frank and her family escape Nazi persecution. In 1942, when the Frank family went into hiding in the secret annex above her employer's office, Miep Gies became one of their primary contacts. She would bring them food, supplies, and news from the outside world while maintaining their secrecy. ### The Discovery and Aftermath In August 1944, the Frank family was discovered by the Nazis. Miep Gies was one of the last people to see Anne Frank alive before the family was taken away. After the war ended, Miep Gies returned to the secret annex and found Anne Frank's diary on the floor. She preserved the diary and eventually gave it to Anne's father, Otto Frank, who published it as "The Diary of a Young Girl." ### Recognition and Legacy Miep Gies received numerous honors for her courageous actions during the Holocaust. She was recognized as Righteous Among the Nations by Israel, an honor given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. She also received the Jan Karski Courage to Care Award and the Raoul Wallenberg Award for her humanitarian work. ### Later Life and Legacy Miep Gies lived to see her story become widely known through the publication of Anne Frank's diary. She remained committed to sharing her experiences and educating others about the importance of standing up against injustice. She passed away on January 11, 2010, at the age of 100. Her legacy continues to inspire people around the world to recognize the importance of moral courage and human dignity. ### Recognition and Awards Throughout her life, Miep Gies received numerous honors for her actions during the Holocaust. These included: - The Righteous Among the Nations award from Israel - The Jan Karski Courage to Care Award - The Raoul Wallenberg Award These awards recognized her as one of the few individuals who risked their lives to help Jews during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Her recognition as a resistance fighter and rescuer has made her an important figure in Holocaust history. ### Impact on History Miep Gies' actions had a profound impact on history. By hiding Anne Frank and preserving her diary, she ensured that Anne's story would be documented and shared with the world. The diary has since become one of the most important testimonies of the Holocaust and has been translated into over 70 languages. Her courage in defying Nazi authorities during one of history's darkest periods serves as an example of moral courage and resistance that continues to inspire people today. ### Legacy and Remembrance Today, Miep Gies is remembered as a symbol of courage and humanity during the Holocaust. Her story has been featured in numerous books, films, and documentaries about the Holocaust. The Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam, where Miep Gies worked as a guide for many years, continues to honor her contributions to preserving Anne Frank's legacy. Her website, https://miepgies.nl, serves as a resource for learning about her life and work. ## References 1. Integrated Authority File 2. Miep Gies - Santrouschitz. Anne Frank Knowledge Base 3. BnF authorities 4. The Righteous Among the Nations Database 5. [Source](https://demodernetijd.nl/wp-content/uploads/DMT-2019-3c-Broek.pdf) 6. Anne Frank Knowledge Base 7. International Standard Name Identifier 8. Virtual International Authority File 9. CiNii Research 10. SNAC 11. Find a Grave 12. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8453331.stm) 13. [Online Familieberichten](https://www.online-familieberichten.nl/pers/735379/Miep-Gies-1909-2010) 14. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 15. [Boodschappenbriefje geschreven door Hermann van Pels. 1944](https://hdl.handle.net/21.12139/477567b2-a44b-4bc4-b009-a92925879579)