Edith was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia and enjoyed life until the Nazis came. She and her grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousin and friends were sent either to Lodz Ghetto or Theresienstadt. She was the only one to survive. She was in Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz, Kristianstadt, and liberated from Belsen.

In 1946 she joined her older sister, who was living in Northern Ireland before the war, Ruth. She learnt English and took her school certificate within 6 months. She then moved to London and became a teacher. She met her husband, Paul Birkin, and adopted three children. In the 1970s she started painting her Holocaust experiences and her paintings are held in several museums, including Auschwitz.

Edith's grandparents were Karel and Klara Altshul. Karel died in Terezin. Klara died in Auschwitz. Her parents were Max and Irma Hofmann and both died in Lodz Ghetto. Her aunt and uncle, Ida and Oskar Altshul, died in Chelmno. Her 8 year old cousin, Petr Bakofen, also died in Chelmno. Her other aunt and uncle, Augusta and Karl Bakofen, died in Lodz Ghetto.