Inspiring Story: Holocaust Survivor Dr. Edith Eger

Dr. Edith Eger (97) is a gymnast turned psychologist turned public speaker and author who uses her experience as a Holocaust survivor to offer guidance to her readers on how heal and thrive. Edith recently turned her New York Times Bestselling memoir, The Choice, into a memoir for teens called, The Ballerina of Auschwitz.

As we prepare for Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27, Senior Planet spoke with Edith about her new book, becoming a public figure in her 90s and how technology is helping her reach more people than ever with her story of inspiration and fortitude.

Tell me about your new memoir, The Ballerina of Auschwitz.

It’s true, it’s my story. After writing The Choice and the Gift, I decided I really wanted to write something for young adults. I decided I would write a book that would take place during my adolescence because that was when I learned about myself as a dancer, my coming-of-age story, going to and coming out of Auschwitz, and learning to love again. It’s the story of my teenage years that is full of lessons for humans of all ages.

What do you want readers to take from the book?

I want this book to give people the power to say, “Things happened to me in my childhood that were out of my control, but I can make a choice to look at those things as part of my story of being a survivor. That they made me stronger and helped me grow.” Suffering makes you stronger. We can take more than we think we can.

And you can take your story and use it as your strength, not as a weakness. That’s a choice that you make. That’s the choice that I made when I emerged from Auschwitz. I had to make a very difficult decision to move on, because so many people didn’t.

What was it like to transition your career from psychologist to public figure and author?

I still see patients, but I think it is very exciting to explore an area that you never thought was possible and I hope to be a good role model for that.

I like my age because I can say anything. I gave up the need for other people’s approval. Age gives us freedom from the prison of our own mind.

What role does technology play in your work?

I love Zoom. I use it all the time. I’ve been able to have a career that blossomed with the rise of Zoom. I was in my 90s when I became famous, but it wasn’t because I was able to travel to the far reaches of the world where my fans are. It was because I was able to do it from right here.

What does aging with attitude mean to you?

Living on your own terms. I live in the present; I do not live in the past. But I do remember how the past gave me the opportunity to develop the part in me.

Photo (top):  Jordan Engle

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.