Last Known Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Fighter Michael Smuss Dies at 99

Michael Smuss, widely recognized as the last known surviving fighter of the 1943 Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, passed away on October 23, 2025, at the age of 99 in Israel. His death marks the end of an era, closing a chapter on direct testimonies from those who actively resisted Nazi oppression within the ghetto walls. The news was shared by Visegrád 24, stating, "> Michael Smuss, the last known surviving fighter of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, passed away today at the age of 99."

Smuss was born in Danzig in 1926 and later moved to Lodz before being confined to the Warsaw Ghetto with his father in 1940. As a teenager, he joined the Jewish resistance, actively participating in the desperate fight against German forces. He famously helped produce Molotov cocktails, stealing paint thinner from a factory where he was forced to work, which were then used to fight the Nazis during the 28-day uprising.

After his capture on April 29, 1943, Smuss endured forced labor in various concentration camps and survived a death march before liberation. He eventually moved to the United States, where he started a family, and later to Israel in 1979 to process his trauma. There, he became a renowned artist and a dedicated Holocaust educator, sharing his harrowing experiences with thousands, particularly young people.

His passing prompted tributes from global institutions and governments, including the German and Polish embassies in Israel. The German embassy on X noted, "He repeatedly risked his life during the Holocaust, fighting for survival and helping other prisoners." While many sources, including the Polish embassy and the Holocaust Educational Trust, identified Smuss as the last surviving fighter, some reports from 2018 had previously named Simcha Rotem as the last, highlighting the complexities of historical record-keeping.

Just last month, Smuss was awarded the German Federal Cross of Merit, recognizing his significant contributions to Holocaust education and fostering dialogue between Germany and Israel. His powerful testimonies and art served as a vital link to the past, ensuring that the courage and defiance of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising would not be forgotten. His legacy endures through his art and the countless lives he touched with his story of resilience.