Honouring Margot Friedländer for her unwavering courage

Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor, has become one of the foremost role models of our time through her profoundly moving life story. Her relentless commitment to fostering tolerance, understanding, and remembrance, and her opposition to anti-Semitism, make her a remarkable figure of courage in our society. For her exceptional bravery, Margot Friedländer is honoured with the BAMBI Award in the category "Courage" in 2024.

Margot Friedländer, a Holocaust survivor, continues to stand firmly for freedom and tolerance, against hatred and xenophobia. This commitment commands our deepest respect and admiration. Her message of humanity serves as a powerful example. We celebrate a courageous woman with an immeasurably generous heart, whose urgent appeal resonates especially with younger generations: 'Be human!'

BAMBI jury

From Persecution to Recognition

Born to Jewish parents in Berlin in 1921, Margot Friedländer faced increasing danger as the Nazi persecution of Jews escalated. She sought to emigrate but was thwarted in her efforts. Her father was killed in a Nazi extermination camp in 1942, and in 1943 her brother Ralph was arrested by the Gestapo. Her mother left a 22-year-old Margot to accompany her 18-year-old son, and both ultimately perished in Auschwitz. To evade detection, Margot went into hiding in Berlin, changing her appearance, yet was ultimately captured in 1944 and deported to the Theresienstadt transit camp, now in the Czech Republic.

In Theresienstadt, she reunited with Adolf Friedländer, a fellow survivor she had known from her work as a seamstress in Berlin. He, too, had lost his family to the Nazis. After liberation, the couple married and emigrated to the United States in 1946, where Margot resumed work as an alterations tailor in their refuge of New York. Following her husband's passing in 1997, Margot began documenting her experiences, publishing her autobiography, Try to Make Your Life, in 2008.

At age 88, Margot returned to her native Berlin in 2010 to share her story with students and educational institutions. "I speak for those who can no longer speak. For the six million people who were murdered simply because they were Jews," she says. In 2023, she founded the Margot Friedländer Foundation, dedicated to continuing her life's work and awarding the Margot Friedländer Prize to individuals who champion the fight against anti-Semitism and promote democracy, tolerance, and humanity.

Margot Friedländer has been widely recognised for her contributions, receiving numerous honours including the Cross of Merit First Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, honorary citizenship of Berlin, and an honorary doctorate from the Department of History and Cultural Studies at the Free University of Berlin.

Germany's Biggest Media Award Returns

Since 1948, BAMBI has honoured individuals who have made a significant impact in Germany, achieved outstanding accomplishments, and serve as role models for the German public. This year, the award will be presented in up to twelve categories. BAMBI's media partner is Prime Video, and the event will be streamed live at prime time from Bavaria Film Studios on November 7, 2024.    

Official BAMBI Partners 2024

For the second consecutive year, BAMBI will be held in Munich, sponsored by the Bavarian State Chancellery. The event is supported by numerous partners, including major companies and brands. Streaming service Prime Video will broadcast the award ceremony live as a new media partner. Other official BAMBI partners this year are Aigner, Chauffeur Service Blacklane, Chopard, Elasten Trinkkollagen, HolidayCheck, IhreApotheken.de, Marc Cain, Real Techniques, Schwarzkopf, Dr. Barbara Sturm and Yacht-Magazin. Additional partners include Augustiner, Canonita, Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Degussa, Depot, Edeka, Masi, mey and Staatl. Fachingen.