In the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II, there were a total of eight people living together. This group included Anne’s father, Otto Frank; her mother, Edith Frank; and her sister, Margot Frank. Additionally, they were joined by the Van Pels family: Hermann, Auguste, and their son Peter. Later, a dentist named Fritz Pfeffer also joined them.
The conditions in the secret annex were challenging, as the group had to remain quiet during the day to avoid detection while the building’s staff and workers were present. The cramped space forced them to live closely together, which created both bonds and tensions among the residents. Anne’s reflections in her diary provide a unique insight into this experience, detailing not only the fear of being discovered but also the daily lives and interactions of those in hiding.