Margot Friedländer: A Vogue Cover Star at 102

Margot Friedländer, a 102-year-old Holocaust survivor whose family perished at Auschwitz, defies convention as the latest cover star of Vogue Germany. Despite the magazine’s usual focus on models and celebrities, Ms. Friedländer graces the July/August issue with elegance, wearing a tailored coat effortlessly.

As one of the world’s oldest and most prominent Holocaust survivors, Ms. Friedländer is no stranger to the spotlight. She has engaged with global leaders like Angela Merkel and mingled with celebrities like Helen Mirren. Living in Berlin, she tirelessly advocates for Holocaust remembrance, traveling to numerous schools in Germany to urge young audiences to remember the past without holding onto divisive grievances.

In her interview with Vogue Germany, and in her public appearances, Ms. Friedländer voices concerns about the resurgence of right-wing populism and antisemitism both in Germany and globally.

Anna Wintour, the influential editor in chief of Vogue, praised the German edition’s choice of featuring Ms. Friedländer, calling it “brilliant and inspiring.” While the American version of Vogue has not yet featured someone like Ms. Friedländer on its cover, Ms. Wintour acknowledged the significance of her presence, especially given the political climate in Europe.