Marie Sklodowska-Curie

Warsaw, Poland

November 7, 1867

Brothers Zosia, Józef, Bronya and Hela.

Both of Curie’s parents were teachers. Her father, Wladyslaw, was a math and physics instructor.
When she was only 10, Curie lost her mother, Bronislawa, to tuberculosis.

Father: Wladyslaw Sklodowski

Mother: Bronislawa Sklodowska

She had a bright and curious mind and excelled at school. But despite being a top student in her
secondary school, Curie could not attend the men's-only University of Warsaw. She instead
continued her education in Warsaw's "floating university," a set of underground, informal classes
held in secret. was a physicist and chemist, best known for pioneering research on radioactivity

She was the first woman to win a ‘Nobel Prize’ and the first female professor to serve at the
‘University of Paris.’ She is also the only woman to win the ‘Nobel Prize’ twice, and the only person
to win the prestigious prize in two different scientific fields. A celebrated physicist and chemist,
Marie Curie dedicated her life to research and discovery. Her significant discoveries have served as
an inspiration for scientists all over the world. It was through her discoveries that the orthodox
notion amongst the scientists was broken as they were exposed to a new line of thought on
matter and energy. Curie is responsible for not just coining the term ‘radioactivity’ but theorizing
the concept of radioactivity as well. Furthermore, it was through her relentless dedication and
hard work that elements polonium and radium, as we know them today, were discovered. During
her lifetime, she even worked on the technique of isolating radioactive isotopes. In addition to her
work in the field of science, Curie contributed heavily during ‘World War I,’ establishing the first-
ever military field radiological centers. She died in 1934 from prolonged exposure to radiation.