Table of Contents
- Who Was Selma van de Perre?
- Wartime Bravery Behind Enemy Lines
- Her Memoir and Lasting Legacy
- Tributes Pour In
- The Dutch Holocaust Context
- Sources
Who Was Selma van de Perre?
Selma van de Perre, a courageous Dutch Jewish resistance fighter who risked her life to undermine the Nazi occupation during World War II, has died at the age of 103. Her death on October 20, 2025, in London was confirmed by the Dutch Embassy.
Van de Perre’s story is one of extraordinary resilience. Born in the Netherlands, she was just 19 when Nazi forces invaded in May 1940. Rather than submit to oppression, she joined the Dutch resistance—becoming a courier who smuggled everything from forged identity papers to seditious newsletters and cash-filled suitcases across occupied Europe.
Wartime Bravery Behind Enemy Lines
Operating under constant threat of arrest or execution, van de Perre carried out missions that would terrify even seasoned operatives. She once infiltrated Nazi headquarters in Paris—a feat made possible by her fluency in multiple languages, sharp instincts, and unshakable nerve.
Her work wasn’t just logistical; it was lifesaving. The documents and supplies she transported helped Jews and resistance members evade capture, survive in hiding, and continue their fight against tyranny.
Key Missions of Selma van de Perre
| Activity | Impact |
|---|---|
| Smuggled forged ID cards | Enabled Jews to pass as non-Jewish citizens |
| Delivered resistance newsletters | Spread anti-Nazi propaganda and intel |
| Transported ration books & cash | Supported underground networks and families in hiding |
| Infiltrated Paris Nazi HQ | Gathered intelligence without detection |
Her Memoir and Lasting Legacy
Decades after the war, van de Perre shared her story in her memoir, My Name Is Selma, published in English in 2021. The book received widespread acclaim for its clarity, emotional honesty, and historical value.
“It is impossible not to marvel at her steadiness and courage,” wrote one reviewer—a sentiment echoed by historians and readers alike. Her narrative not only documented her personal journey but also preserved the memory of countless unnamed resisters who defied the Third Reich.
Tributes Pour In
Following news of her passing, tributes flooded in from historians, Jewish organizations, and Dutch officials. The Anne Frank House called her “a beacon of moral courage in the darkest of times.”
Unlike many Holocaust survivors who remained silent for years, van de Perre spoke openly about her experiences, emphasizing the importance of remembrance in an age of rising antisemitism and historical revisionism.
The Dutch Holocaust Context
The Netherlands suffered one of the highest Jewish death tolls in Western Europe during the Holocaust. Of approximately 140,000 Jews living in the country before the war, over 100,000 were deported—more than 75% of the community.
Van de Perre’s survival—and her active resistance—stands in stark contrast to this grim statistic. Her family was not as fortunate: most were murdered in concentration camps. Yet she channeled her grief into action, becoming a symbol of defiance and hope.
Her life reminds us that heroism isn’t always loud—it’s often quiet, persistent, and carried out by ordinary people who refuse to look away.
