Jacqueline Sanders-van Maarsen

96 years ago today (January 30, 1929) Jacqueline Sanders-van Maarsen was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

She had a Dutch-Jewish Father, Samuel "Hijman" van Maarsen (1884–1952), and a French Christian Mother, Eulalie Julienne Alice "Eline" van Maarsen (née Verlhac) (1891–1992).

When the Nazis invaded the Netherlands in May 1940, she was forced to attend the Joods Lyceum (Jewish School) where she met Anne Frank.

On Monday June 15, 1942, Anne wrote in her diary: 'Jacqueline van Maarsen I only just got to know at the Jewish Lyceum and she is now my best friend.'

Unlike Anne Frank, Jacqueline was able to escape being deported and death thanks to her Mother, who was not Jewish, and survived the War.

After the war, Jacqueline learnt that Anne had not survived. Otto Frank, Anne's Father, got in touch with her, and she was one of the first People to whom Otto Frank showed Anne's diary.

“The Diary of a Young Girl” was published in 1947.

Jacqueline became an award-winning bookbinder. She married her childhood Friend, Ruud Sanders, in 1954.

They had three Children.

She wrote five books on her friendship with Anne Frank. In her books and when she visits Schools, Jacqueline talks about her friendship with Anne but also about the dangers of Antisemitism and Racism and where they can lead to.

 Jacqueline turned 96 today and still lives in Amsterdam. Happy Birthday!