Marie Curie was a two-time Nobel Prize winner. She shared one Nobel Prize with her husband, Pierre Curie, for their research on radioactivity. The other was awarded to Marie for her discovery of the elements radium and polonium. Marie dedicated her life to her work and study.  She changed our understanding of radioactivity and how we use it in medicine today. This is the story of Marie Curie. 

Marie and her family are from Warsaw, Poland.

Marie Curie was born on November 7, 1867, to two teachers. Her father's name was Władysław Skłodowski, and her mother's name was Bronisława Skłodowska. 

Marie was the youngest of five siblings. She had three sisters and two brothers. 

Fun Fact!

Marie Curie's real name is Maria Sklodowska, but her family called her "Manya." 

Being the daughter of two teachers, Marie learned to read and write at a young age. Before she started school, her father taught her about science, which sparked her passion for the subject. 

NO READING OR WRITING IN POLISH

Marie grew up during a tough time in Poland.  Russia was in control of Poland then, and no one was allowed to read and write in the Polish language, especially at school.

Her father lost his job for supporting Polish rule....This was just the beginning of Marie's struggles. 

When Marie was 10, her oldest sister Zofia passed away from Typhus. Then, just two years later, her mother passed away from Tuberculosis. This was a difficult time for young Marie. 

After Marie graduated from high school, she set her sights on attending university. However, this was not something women pursued in the 1800s. 

However, there was a famous university in Paris called the Sorbonne that women could attend. Marie had no money, so she decided to work to help her sister attend school in France, as long as her sister helped her go to school, too. 

It took six years, but Marie finally moved to France and attended school. She read many math and physics books and knew she wanted to be a scientist.