Cornelia Arnolda Johanna “Corrie” ten Boom (15 April 1892 – 15 April 1983) was a Dutch watchmaker who later became a Christian writer and public speaker. Along with her father Casper, her sister Betsie, and other relatives, she helped many Jewish people escape the Nazis during World War II by hiding them in her home.
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Eventually, they were discovered, and Corrie was arrested and sent to Ravensbrück concentration camp. Her most famous book, The Hiding Place, tells the story of her family’s efforts and how she found and shared hope in God while imprisoned.
Profile Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom |
| Date of Birth | April 15, 1892 |
| Date of Death | April 15, 1983 (age 91) |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes following strokes |
| Net Worth (at death) | Modest; lived simply and gave generously to charity |
| Family | Father: Casper ten Boom; Sister: Betsie ten Boom; other siblings |
| Career Highlights | Helped hide Jews during WWII; wrote The Hiding Place; global speaker on faith and forgiveness; Righteous Among the Nations |
| Current Legacy | Museum in Haarlem; books still in print; story taught in schools and churches worldwide |
Age
Cornelia Arnolda Johanna ten Boom was born on 15 April 1892 in Haarlem, Netherlands.
Biography & Early Life
Corrie ten Boom was born on 15 April 1892 in Haarlem, Netherlands, as the youngest child of Casper ten Boom, a jeweller and watchmaker, and Cornelia Johanna Arnolda. She had three older siblings: Betsie, Willem, and Nollie. Three maternal aunts, Tante Bepa, Tante Jans, and Tante Anna, also lived with the family. Casper ten Boom was dedicated to his craft, sometimes forgetting to charge customers.
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The Ten Boom family lived above Casper’s watch shop in a house known as “the Beje” on Barteljorisstraat. Corrie initially managed the household, but when Betsie became ill, Corrie began working in the shop. She enjoyed managing business operations and introduced a billing and record-keeping system. After Betsie recovered, Corrie continued in the shop while Betsie took over the household duties, which suited them both.
Arrest and Detention
On 28 February 1944, Dutch informant Jan Vogel reported the Ten Booms to the Nazis, leading to the family’s arrest. They were sent to Scheveningen Prison after resistance materials and extra ration cards were discovered in their home.
Corrie was released twelve days later, reportedly due to a clerical error. A week after her release, all women in her age group were sent to the gas chambers.
Ten Boom returned home during the “hunger winter” and continued to shelter people with disabilities who were in hiding to avoid execution.
Death
She died on 15 April 1983 (aged 91) in Placentia, California, U.S.
Honors
- The Yad Vashem Remembrance Authority in Israel honoured her by naming her Righteous Among the Nations on 12 December 1967.
- She was knighted by the Queen of the Netherlands in recognition of her work during the war.
- The Ten Boom Museum in Haarlem is dedicated to her and her family in recognition of their work.
- The King’s College in New York City named a new women’s house in her honour.
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