Otto Frank was born on May 12, 1889, in Frankfurt, Germany. He served in the German army during World War I before returning home to work for his family's bank. It was during this time that he met and married his first wife, Edith Hollander. The couple had two daughters, Margot and Anne.
Otto Frank's life took a tragic turn when the family was forced to go into hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Along with his family and four others, they hid in a secret annex of a warehouse in Amsterdam for over two years. It was during this time that his youngest daughter, Anne, started writing in her diary.
After the war, Otto Frank was the only surviving member of his family. He was given Anne's diary by Miep Gies, one of the family's helpers during their time in hiding. Otto was moved by the words his daughter had written and made it his mission to see it published. With the help of a friend, he was able to get the diary published in 1947.
Otto Frank also played a key role in establishing the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam. The museum, located in the same building where the family had hidden, serves as a memorial to Anne and all those who suffered during the Holocaust. In addition, he helped start the Anne Frank Foundation, which works to promote tolerance and understanding.
Otto Frank's dedication to preserving his daughter's memory and spreading her message of hope and resilience has had a lasting impact. Through his efforts, Anne's diary has been translated into over 70 languages and continues to inspire readers around the world. His work with the museum and foundation ensures that Anne's story will never be forgotten.