Miep Gies, Austrian-Dutch humanitarian (b. 1909)

Hermine "Miep" Gies, born Hermine Santrouschitz on 15 February 1909 in Vienna, Austria, and widely known by her Dutch pronunciation [ˈmip ˈxis], was an extraordinary Dutch citizen whose unwavering courage during World War II made her one of the most significant figures in the story of Anne Frank. She was instrumental in hiding Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jewish individuals from the brutal persecution of the Nazis in a clandestine annex above Otto Frank's business premises in Amsterdam.

Miep's journey to the Netherlands began in 1920, when at the age of eleven, she was taken in as a foster child by the compassionate Nieuwenburg family in Leiden. This initiative was part of a post-World War I relief effort, addressing widespread malnutrition in Austria. Despite an initial six-month placement, her stay was extended to a year due to her frail health, a testament to the difficult conditions she had endured. Miep grew deeply attached to her foster family, ultimately choosing to remain with them permanently. She lived the entirety of her adult life in the Netherlands, becoming a symbol of resilience and humanity. Miep Gies passed away in 2010 at the remarkable age of 100, just a month before her 101st birthday.

Miep Gies's Connection to the Frank Family and the Secret Annex

A pivotal moment in Miep Gies's life occurred in 1933 when she began working for Otto Frank. Frank, a Jewish businessman, had relocated his pectin-producing company, Opekta (and later Pectacon), from Germany to Amsterdam in a desperate attempt to shield his family from the escalating Nazi antisemitism and persecution following Adolf Hitler's rise to power. Miep quickly became more than just an employee; she developed a close, trusted friendship with the entire Frank family: Otto, his wife Edith Frank-Holländer, and their daughters Margot and Anne.

As the Nazi occupation intensified in the Netherlands, leading to the systematic deportation of Jews, Otto Frank prepared a secret hiding place. From July 1942 until their discovery in August 1944, Miep Gies, along with her husband Jan Gies, and colleagues Bep Voskuijl, Johannes Kleiman, and Victor Kugler, risked their lives daily to protect the eight individuals hidden in the "Secret Annex" (Achterhuis) at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. These individuals included:

For two arduous years, Miep and her fellow helpers provided essential sustenance, bringing food, news from the outside world, books, and crucial moral support to those confined within the hidden rooms. These acts of kindness were performed under constant threat, requiring immense secrecy and bravery.

The Preservation of Anne Frank's Diary

On August 4, 1944, the Secret Annex was tragically raided by the Gestapo, leading to the arrest and eventual deportation of all eight occupants to concentration camps. In the immediate aftermath, with the hiding place ransacked, Miep Gies, accompanied by her colleague Bep Voskuijl, entered the deserted annex. There, amidst the debris, they discovered Anne Frank's personal writings: her cherished red-checked diary, notebooks, and numerous loose sheets of paper. Recognizing their profound significance, Miep instinctively gathered these documents, determined to safeguard them.

Miep meticulously stored Anne's papers in a drawer in her office, intending to return them to Anne personally upon her liberation. She famously refused to read any of the contents, respecting Anne's privacy. Following the liberation of the concentration camps, Otto Frank was the sole survivor among those who had hidden in the annex, returning from Auschwitz in June 1945. It was then that he learned the devastating news of the deaths of his daughters, Anne and Margot, and his wife, Edith.

In a moment of profound grief and historical importance, Miep Gies presented Otto Frank with Anne's safeguarded writings. Her selfless act of preservation directly led to the eventual publication of Anne Frank's diary. Otto Frank carefully compiled and edited his daughter's work, resulting in its first publication in 1947 under the Dutch title Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex), later globally renowned as The Diary of a Young Girl. Miep's deep loyalty and foresight ensured that Anne's powerful voice, documenting the horrors of the Holocaust and the enduring human spirit, would resonate across generations worldwide.

Later Life and Enduring Legacy

Despite widespread recognition and accolades, Miep Gies consistently rejected the label of "heroine," humbly asserting that she simply did what any decent human being should do. Her profound humility and moral clarity became a hallmark of her public persona. To share her unique perspective and contribute to the historical record, Miep Gies collaborated with author Alison Leslie Gold on her memoir, Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family, published in 1987. This powerful book offers a first-hand account of the perilous years in the Secret Annex and her enduring connection to the Frank family.

Miep Gies's life stands as a testament to moral courage, compassion, and the quiet acts of resistance that defined so many during World War II. Her unwavering commitment to humanity during one of history's darkest periods continues to inspire and educate, emphasizing the vital importance of protecting the vulnerable and standing against injustice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Miep Gies

Who was Miep Gies?
Miep Gies (born Hermine Santrouschitz) was an Austrian-born Dutch citizen primarily known for her courageous role in helping to hide Anne Frank, her family, and four other Jewish individuals from Nazi persecution in Amsterdam during World War II. She is also revered for preserving Anne Frank's diary after the family's arrest, an act that led to its global publication.
What was Miep Gies's role in helping Anne Frank and her family?
Miep Gies was one of the key protectors who regularly brought food, news, and essential supplies to the eight people hiding in the Secret Annex at Prinsengracht 263. She maintained their absolute secrecy and provided crucial moral support for over two years, risking her own life and freedom daily to ensure their survival.
How did Miep Gies save Anne Frank's diary?
After the Frank family and their fellow hiders were arrested on August 4, 1944, Miep Gies and her colleague Bep Voskuijl found Anne Frank's diary and other writings scattered on the floor of the ransacked Secret Annex. Miep collected these precious documents and stored them securely in a drawer in her office, intending to return them to Anne herself upon her eventual return. She never read them.
When was Anne Frank's diary published, and how was Miep Gies involved?
Anne Frank's diary was first published in 1947 by her father, Otto Frank, under the title Het Achterhuis (The Secret Annex). Miep Gies's involvement was pivotal: she presented Otto Frank with Anne's writings after he returned from Auschwitz as the sole survivor of the eight people in hiding. Her act of preserving the diary made its subsequent publication possible, allowing Anne's voice to be heard worldwide.
Did Miep Gies write a book about her experiences?
Yes, Miep Gies co-authored her memoir, Anne Frank Remembered: The Story of the Woman Who Helped to Hide the Frank Family, with Alison Leslie Gold. Published in 1987, the book provides her unique and invaluable perspective on the events surrounding the Secret Annex and her relationship with the Frank family.
When did Miep Gies die?
Miep Gies passed away on January 11, 2010, at the remarkable age of 100, just over a month before what would have been her 101st birthday.