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Born as Maria Skłodowska in Warsaw, Poland. -
Moves to Paris and enrolls at the University of Paris (Sorbonne) to continue her education.
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Earns a degree in Physics, ranking first in her class.
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Obtains a degree in Mathematics, placing second in her class.
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Marries Pierre Curie, a physicist with whom she will collaborate in groundbreaking research.
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Inspired by Henri Becquerel’s discovery of natural radioactivity, Marie begins researching uranium rays.
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Discovers Polonium, a new radioactive element, named after her homeland, Poland. -
Discovers Radium, another highly radioactive element. -
Becomes the first woman to win a Nobel Prize in Physics, shared with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their work on radioactivity.
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Pierre Curie dies in a tragic accident. Marie continues their research alone.
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Wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for isolating pure radium, becoming the first person to win two Nobel Prizes.
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Develops mobile X-ray units (known as “Little Curies”) to help diagnose injuries on the battlefield.
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Travels to the United States to raise funds for radium research, receiving a gram of radium as a gift from American women.
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Dies of aplastic anemia, likely caused by prolonged exposure to radiation.