'Helper' Miep Gies Dies Aged 100

"Miep and Mr Kugler bear the greatest burden for us, and for all those in hiding – Miep in everything she does."

Anne Frank, 26 May 1944

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Miep Gies who died on 11 January 2010. She was the last surviving helper of the eight inhabitants of the Secret Annexe and the person who found Anne's diary after their arrest in 1944.

With Otto Frank, Miep played a significant role in the remembrance of the seven people of the Secret Annexe who were murdered during the Holocaust, especially Anne.

Miep Gies was born in Vienna on 15th February 1909. She came to the Netherlands when she was 11 years old and in 1933 began work at Otto Frank's company Opekta. Following the invasion of Holland by the Nazis, and along with other helpers, Miep brought food, clothing, books and friendship to her Jewish friends in hiding.

"The helpers, who have managed to pull us through so far...never...uttered a single word about the burden we must be."

Anne Frank, 28 January 1944

Our Honorary Life President Bee Klug MBE sponsored an Anne Frank Award in 2009 in honour of Miep's 100th birthday. The award went to Nicole Dryburgh, who due to continuous health problems, is now blind, deaf and in a wheelchair, yet has worked tirelessly to raise money for charities.

Miep has been awarded several honours for her courage, among them the Yad Vashem medal, and knighthoods from both Germany and the Netherlands.

>> Watch this audio slideshow with pictures of Miep Gies and narrative by Gillian Walnes.

>> You can sign a condolence register, on the Anne Frank House website www.annefrank.org

Posted 11.01.10