Marie Curie
The scientist who discovered radioactivity and changed the world—twice.
- Born
- 7 November 1867, Warsaw, Poland
- Died
- 4 July 1934, France, age 66
- Key Discovery
- Radioactivity and the elements radium and polonium
- Nobel Prizes
- Physics (1903), Chemistry (1911)
- Historic First
- First woman to win a Nobel Prize; first person to win two
- Husband
- Pierre Curie, scientific partner
She Named an Element After Her Homeland
Marie discovered a new element and named it polonium—after Poland, the country she was born in. Even though she lived in France most of her adult life, she never forgot where she came from.
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Who was Marie Curie?
Marie Curie was a Polish scientist who moved to France and made huge discoveries about radioactivity—a kind of energy that some materials give off naturally. She won two Nobel Prizes, which are the most important awards in science. She was the first woman ever to win a Nobel Prize, and for a long time, she was the only person to win them in two completely different fields: physics and chemistry.
Before Marie's work, nobody understood radioactivity or how to harness its power. Her discoveries led to new ways to treat cancer and other diseases, and her research changed how scientists think about the building blocks of matter.
How did she become a scientist?
Marie was born in Warsaw to a family of teachers. She wanted to study at university, but women weren't allowed in regular universities in Poland at that time. So she joined a secret school called the Flying University that taught women in hiding. When she was about 23 years old, she moved to Paris to study physics and chemistry at the University of Paris. She lived in a tiny, cold room and sometimes forgot to eat because she was so focused on her studies.
Marie had a burning curiosity about how the world worked. She had also made a deal with her older sister Bronisława: Marie would help pay for Bronisława's medical school in Paris, and then Bronisława would return the favour. This agreement meant Marie had to save money and struggle at first, but it gave her the chance to pursue her dreams.
What happened to her?
Marie married Pierre Curie, another scientist, and they worked together on discovering radioactivity. Sadly, Pierre died in a street accident in 1906. Marie kept working and became the first woman professor at the University of Paris. During World War I, she invented mobile X-ray units so hospitals could use them to help wounded soldiers. She died in 1934 at age 66 from a blood disease caused by exposure to the radioactive materials she studied.
When Marie was working, scientists didn't fully understand how dangerous radiation could be. The protective equipment we use today didn't exist. Her courage in exploring this unknown frontier came at a cost, but her discoveries saved countless lives—something she would have considered worthwhile.