Holocaust survivor Lily Ebert died on Wednesday at her home in northwest London at the age of 100. Her funeral will take place on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Har HaMenuchot cemetery in Jerusalem. Among those who paid tribute to her was King Charles, who wrote: "She was an integral part of the fabric of our nation."
Holocaust survivor Lilly Ebert
Ebert, born in Hungary, was sent to Auschwitz with her family in July 1944 when she was 20 years old. Her mother, younger sister and brother were murdered in the gas chambers. Heartbroken with grief, Lily made a promise to herself: If she survived the horrors, she would share her story, not from a place of anger, but with strength, dignity and commitment to preserving the memory of those who were killed in the Holocaust. She fulfilled that promise completely, sharing her story with millions around the world.
Ebert co-wrote the book "Lily's Promise" with her great-grandson, Dov Forman, with whom she also ran a popular TikTok account that garnered hundreds of millions of views from young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish, worldwide. Ebert believed in the power of faith and tolerance and the importance of combating hate and prejudice.
King Charles said it was “with the greatest sadness” that he heard of Ebert’s death. In a statement, the King said: "As a survivor of the unmentionable horrors of the Holocaust, I am so proud that she later found a home in Britain where she continued to tell the world of the horrendous atrocities she had witnessed, as a permanent reminder for our generation – and, indeed, for future generations – of the depths of depravity and evil to which humankind can fall, when reason, compassion and truth are abandoned."
"Alongside other Holocaust survivors she became an integral part of the fabric of our nation; her extraordinary resilience and courage an example to us all, which will never be forgotten.”
Revital Yakin Krakovsky, deputy CEO of the International March of the Living, said that "Lily was a model of resilience and hope, and her contribution to Holocaust remembrance will resonate for years to come. Through her books and her famous TikTok account with her great-grandson, Dov Forman, Lily brought the horrors of the Holocaust to future generations with creativity, determination and a powerful smile. Our mission to ensure Holocaust memory and the dangers of antisemitism are more important than ever."
Scott Saunders, chairman of March of the Living UK and Global CEO, said that "Lily Ebert's incredible resilience and unwavering commitment to Holocaust remembrance has touched the lives of millions around the world."
"Through her courage and her work, she gave voice to the memory of the millions who perished in the Holocaust, ensuring their stories were never forgotten. Her remarkable partnership with her great-grandson Dov Forman on social media, especially through their TikTok videos, reached younger generations and educated them about the horrors of Auschwitz and the strength of the human spirit. Through her deeply moving memoir, "Lily's Promise," co-authored with Dov, Lily ensured that her legacy would live on for generations to come. May her memory continue to resonate and serve as a reminder of the need to protect the lessons of the Holocaust.”
Lily Ebert’s family also issued a statement of mourning. “In the face of unimaginable loss, Lily made a promise to herself: if she survived the hell on earth, she would share her story – not with anger, but with dignity and a determination to honor those who did not survive. No promise has ever been fulfilled as deeply as hers.”
The family added: “She rebuilt her life with faith and love, and she never asked, ‘Why me?’ Instead, she focused on what could be rebuilt from the ashes. Her positivity continues to guide us through these difficult times. While we mourn the loss of our beloved mother and grandmother, we also celebrate her extraordinary life – a light that shone so brightly. She was our hero, and her absence leaves an unimaginable void in our lives.”
Ebert is survived by a daughter, a son, 10 grandchildren, and 38 great-grandchildren.
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