Gabi Goslar, born on October 25, 1940, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a Holocaust survivor and the younger sister of Hannah Pick-Goslar, Anne Frank’s childhood best friend. Though much of the world knows her sister through the pages of The Diary of Anne Frank, Gabi has her own story of survival, resilience, and remembrance. Today, at 84 years old, she represents one of the last living voices directly tied to both the Holocaust and the legacy of Anne Frank’s circle. Her life reflects the strength of the Jewish people, the pain of loss, and the courage to build again after tragedy.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gabi Goslar |
| Date of Birth | October 25, 1940 |
| Age (2025) | 84 years old |
| Birthplace | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Nationality | Dutch-Israeli |
| Parents | Hans Goslar, Ruth Judith Klee |
| Siblings | Hannah Pick-Goslar |
| Relatives | Ruth Pinchas Pick (niece), Esther Klee (aunt) |
| Famous For | Holocaust survivor, sister of Anne Frank’s best friend |
| Current Residence | Israel |
Early Life of Gabi Goslar
Born into a well-educated Jewish family, Gabi Goslar entered the world just months before Nazi Germany tightened its grip on the Netherlands. Her early childhood was marked by instability and fear, yet she was surrounded by the love of her parents and older sister, Hannah Pick-Goslar. Raised in Amsterdam, Gabi experienced a warm family life despite the looming storm of war.
Parents of Gabi Goslar
Gabi was the daughter of Hans Goslar and Ruth Judith Klee. Her father, Hans, was a respected German Jewish journalist and former deputy minister in Prussia, while her mother Ruth was from the prominent Klee family. Both parents instilled in their children strong values of education, faith, and resilience. Sadly, her mother passed away when Gabi was still young, and her father would later perish during the Holocaust, leaving Gabi and Hannah to rely on each other.
The Goslar Family Before the Holocaust
Before the war, the Goslar family lived a comfortable and intellectual life. They had moved from Germany to the Netherlands in the 1930s to escape Nazi persecution, joining many other German-Jewish refugees in Amsterdam. Their household emphasized tradition, study, and kindness, creating a foundation that would later help Gabi endure unimaginable suffering.
Sibling Bond: Gabi Goslar and Hannah Pick-Goslar
The relationship between Gabi and Hannah Pick-Goslar was one of deep sisterhood. Hannah, born in 1928, became famous as Anne Frank’s “Lies Goosens” in The Diary of Anne Frank. For Gabi, however, Hannah was not just a symbol of history but a guiding presence in her life. Hannah often cared for her younger sister during difficult times, especially after the loss of their mother. Their bond grew even stronger as they endured the challenges of persecution together.
The Impact of World War II on the Goslar Family
When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, the Jewish community faced swift and brutal restrictions. The Goslar family was stripped of basic freedoms, required to wear the yellow Star of David, and barred from many aspects of public life. Gabi, just a toddler, witnessed her family’s life unravel. While her memories were shaped by her young age, the trauma of displacement and fear left a lasting mark on her childhood.
Deportation and Internment
By 1943, the Goslar family was deported to Westerbork transit camp, a holding site before deportation to extermination camps. Later, Gabi, Hannah, and their father were transported to Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany. Conditions were horrific—starvation, disease, and overcrowding defined daily life. As a child, Gabi experienced the Holocaust from the most vulnerable perspective, enduring hunger and loss that no child should face.
Gabi Goslar’s Childhood During the Holocaust
Unlike her older sister, who remembered life before Nazi occupation more clearly, Gabi was a child of war. Her formative years were spent inside barbed wire, surrounded by suffering. Though very young, she relied on Hannah’s care and her father’s guidance until his death in the camp. This period left deep scars but also planted seeds of resilience that shaped her later life.
Connection to Anne Frank’s Story
The Goslar sisters’ link to Anne Frank gives Gabi’s biography global historical significance. Through Hannah, who was Anne’s close school friend and neighbor in Amsterdam, the Goslars became connected to one of the most famous Holocaust narratives. While Gabi herself was too young to have known Anne closely, her family’s story overlaps with Anne’s, preserving a vital part of Holocaust memory.
Post-War Life and Survival
After the liberation of Bergen-Belsen in April 1945, Gabi and Hannah were among the few survivors. The girls, now orphans, were eventually reunited with relatives. Survival brought relief but also immense grief—the loss of parents, relatives, and friends weighed heavily. Despite these tragedies, the sisters resolved to rebuild their lives.
Gabi Goslar’s Later Life in Israel
Following the war, Gabi and Hannah eventually moved to Israel, where they embraced a new chapter of life. Israel provided them a homeland and a sense of belonging after years of persecution. Gabi’s later years were marked by family, resilience, and a quiet strength. While Hannah became more publicly recognized due to her connection with Anne Frank, Gabi preferred a life away from the spotlight, though her survival story remains equally important.
Personal Life and Family Connections
Gabi Goslar remained closely connected to her extended family. She is the aunt of Ruth Pinchas Pick, and her family ties also extend to Esther Klee, her maternal aunt. These relationships highlight the resilience of Jewish families who rebuilt their lives after the Holocaust. Gabi’s role as both a survivor and a family anchor makes her biography not just personal but representative of many Jewish stories.
Remembering Hannah Pick-Goslar
In 2022, Gabi’s beloved sister Hannah Pick-Goslar passed away at the age of 93. Hannah had dedicated much of her life to sharing Anne Frank’s story and educating about the Holocaust. For Gabi, her sister’s death was not only a personal loss but also the closing of an era. Yet, Gabi continues to embody the memory of her sister, ensuring Hannah’s legacy—and by extension, Anne Frank’s—lives on.
Holocaust Education and Legacy
Although not always in the public eye, Gabi Goslar’s survival represents an invaluable piece of Holocaust history. Each testimony from survivors strengthens education and remembrance. While Hannah spoke publicly, Gabi’s quieter role still contributes to the collective responsibility of never forgetting. Her survival itself is a testament to resilience, ensuring that the horrors of the Holocaust remain documented for future generations.
Gabi Goslar’s Current Life at Age 84
As of 2025, Gabi Goslar is 84 years old. Living a quieter life, she continues to be a cherished link to a generation that endured one of history’s darkest chapters. While she avoids the spotlight, her very existence carries weight as one of the last living connections to both Anne Frank’s circle and the millions who perished.
Personality and Values
Those who know Gabi Goslar describe her as kind, private, and deeply rooted in family. Her values—shaped by her parents, her sister, and her survival—emphasize resilience, remembrance, and strength in the face of hardship. Her life reflects the importance of carrying forward memory, even without seeking attention.
Public Recognition and Historical Importance
Although not as widely recognized as her sister, Gabi Goslar plays an important role in Holocaust history. Historians view her life as a vital part of preserving first-hand Jewish experiences from the Nazi era. Her presence ensures that history remains alive, especially as survivors grow fewer each year.
Legacy of the Goslar Family
The Goslar family’s story—from their life in Amsterdam to the horrors of Bergen-Belsen—represents both tragedy and survival. While much attention is given to Hannah due to Anne Frank, Gabi’s legacy is equally important. Together, the sisters embody the perseverance of Jewish families who suffered, endured, and rebuilt.
Conclusion
Gabi Goslar is not only the sister of Hannah Pick-Goslar but also a Holocaust survivor in her own right. Born in 1940 in Amsterdam, she endured unimaginable hardships as a child, surviving the horrors of Bergen-Belsen and losing her parents to the Holocaust. Her later life in Israel reflects resilience, and her quiet legacy continues to remind the world of the importance of remembrance. At 84, Gabi remains a living witness to one of history’s darkest chapters, ensuring that the voices of children of the Holocaust are never silenced.
FAQs About Gabi Goslar
1. Who is Gabi Goslar?
She is a Holocaust survivor, born in 1940, and the sister of Hannah Pick-Goslar, Anne Frank’s best friend.
2. When was Gabi Goslar born?
She was born on October 25, 1940, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
3. Who were Gabi Goslar’s parents?
Her parents were Hans Goslar and Ruth Judith Klee.
4. Did Gabi Goslar survive the Holocaust?
Yes, she survived Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and later rebuilt her life.
5. Where does Gabi Goslar live now?
She resides in Israel, where she has lived since after World War II.
6. Who are Gabi Goslar’s relatives?
She is the aunt of Ruth Pinchas Pick and the niece of Esther Klee.
7. How old is Gabi Goslar in 2025?
She is 84 years old.
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