Eight-year-old Marika was born in Székesfehérvár as the only child of Dr. József Bán, a doctor, and Magda Fodor. The family lived in Veszprém. In 1944, her father was called up for labour service. In May, she and her mother were sent to the ghetto that was set up in and around the synagogue of Veszprém. On 21 June, the Jews of Veszprém were taken to the Sárvár collection camp. From there they were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau on 7 July 1944. After the arrival, Marika and her mother were in one of the gas chambers. Her father was also killed during the Holocaust.