Rose Girone, the oldest Holocaust survivor, passed away on February 27, 2025, at a nursing home on Long Island. She was 113 years old and is remembered for her resilience during her harrowing experiences, including living in a Jewish ghetto in Shanghai for seven years after her husband was sent to Buchenwald concentration camp in 1938.
- Rose Girone survived Buchenwald concentration camp.
- Lived in a bathroom in Jewish ghetto.
- Embraced life with positivity and common sense.
- Oldest Holocaust survivor, died at 113.
- Advocated for sharing Holocaust lessons.
- Secret to longevity: dark chocolate and good children.
Born in Breslau, Germany, Rose Girone faced unimaginable challenges during the Holocaust. After her husband was taken to Buchenwald, she managed to escape to Shanghai, where she lived in a cramped bathroom in a Jewish ghetto for seven years. Following her eventual relocation to the united states, she supported her daughter through knitting while renting whatever space she could find.
Girone’s life was marked by her optimistic spirit. Despite enduring two pandemics and the trauma of her past, she often expressed gratitude, famously saying, “Aren’t we lucky?” Her longevity was attributed to simple pleasures, including dark chocolate and the love of her children.
According to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, approximately 245,000 Jewish Holocaust survivors are alive worldwide today. Greg Schneider, the organization’s executive vice president, highlighted the importance of sharing Holocaust lessons while survivors are still present. He noted, “The Holocaust is slipping from memory to history, and its lessons are too important, especially in today’s world, to be forgotten.”
Rose Girone’s passing serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience of Holocaust survivors and the importance of preserving their stories. Her life exemplified strength in the face of adversity, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
