Simone Veil R.I.P.
The well known French politician and Holocaust survivor Simone Veil has passed away at the age of 89. Arrested along with her family in 1944, she was deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau, then later transported to Bergen-Belsen. Her mother died prior to liberation, her father and brother, who had been transported elsewhere (last seen aboard a train in occupied Europe), were never heard from again. She had two sisters, all three surviving the war - two survived Auschwitz-Birkenau, the other, younger sister Denise, was imprisoned at f.KL-Ravensbrück after being found a member of the French Resistance. Of 400 Jewish children from their region in Nice, the three sisters were among only 11 to survive.
She received many accolades for her work, which included the establishment of legal abortion in France, set up in the 1970's during her time as minister of health. In 2010, she became one of the 40 "immortals" of the Académie Française, considered a major honour in France. Her late husband of more than 60 years, Antoine, passed away in 2013. They are survived by three children.
Further information below:
Simone Veil: French politician and Holocaust survivor dies - BBC News
Simone Veil, Auschwitz survivor and abortion pioneer, dies aged 89 | World news | The Guardian
.
Bookmarks