Centenarian Holocaust endurer graces the cover of Vogue Germany magazine.
Margot Friedlaender, originally named Bendheim, entered the world in Berlin in 1921. Her short biography on Berlin's Jewish Museum's website reveals that Friedlaender lived with her mother and younger brother Ralph during the initial years of the war, following her parents' separation. They planned to escape the country, but in 1943, her brother was apprehended by the Gestapo.
Their mother confronted the Gestapo, resulting in her and her son's deportation to Auschwitz, where they were both brutally murdered. Before leaving, she penned a message for her daughter that read, "Strive to create your life."
Each 21 years of age, Friedlaender went into hiding but was eventually discovered by "catchers" and was sent to Theresienstadt camp in Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia in 1944, as per the museum.
In a conversation with Vogue Germany, Friedlaender shared: "I am thankful. Grateful for my survival. For fulfilling my mother's wish. For having made my life."
The magazine shared that they met Friedlaender four times this year, and the cover photos were shot at Berlin's Botanical Garden in April.
Kerstin Weng, head of editorial content at the magazine, declared, "The most optimistic person I know graces this issue's cover: Margot Friedlaender. To many, she is recognized as a Holocaust survivor. But she overcame not only the Nazis, but also betrayal and loss. She has every reason to be resentful, but remains open-minded and refuses to take sides. She champions against forgetting and for humanity and unity."
Weng continued, "At 102, she seeks to engage with the younger generation and demonstrates that dialogue is still conceivable."
"Propagate my tale forward"
Friedlaender met her husband, Adolf, while in the Nazi concentration camp, and wed him shortly after liberation. The couple emigrated to the US in 1946 and lived in New York for over six decades. However, in 2010, following her husband's death at the age of 88, Friedlaender returned to Berlin.
Since then, she has been working diligently as a Holocaust educator, earning numerous accolades, including the Federal Cross of Merit First Class.
Friedlaender told Vogue Germany that she was dismayed by the rise of right-wing populism and the increase in antisemitic attacks.
When discussing the issue of society becoming more divisive, she said, "Do not focus on what sets us apart. Focus on what unites us. Be people. Be reasonable."
Humbled by the chance to share her message, she said, "You will continue my story. So that this doesn't happen again."
Although over a century old, Friedlaender is not Vogue's oldest cover model.
Last year, Vogue Philippines selected a 106-year-old tattoo artist, Apo Whang-Od, also known as Maria Oggay, to feature on the front of its April issue.
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In the world of fashion and style, Margot Friedlaender's Vogue Germany cover is a powerful statement of resilience and survival. Her choice of outfits for the photoshoot showcased her timeless elegance and her ability to adapt to different eras.
Furthermore, Friedlander used her time at Vogue to promote the importance of unity and dialogue, encouraging future generations to learn from the past and to focus on what unites them rather than what divides them, highlighting her continued influence in the realm of fashion and style with a strong message.
