Marie Curie's Milestones
Birth
Marie Curie was born Maria Sklodowska in Warsaw, Poland, to Władysław and Bronisława Sklodowski.
Early education
Attended local schools in Warsaw, excelling academically.
Underground 'Flying University'
Attended the clandestine 'Flying University' in Warsaw due to restrictions on women.
Moved to Paris
Moved to Paris to study physics and mathematics at the Sorbonne.
Earned degrees at Sorbonne
Earned degrees in physics and mathematics from the University of Paris (Sorbonne).
Marriage to Pierre Curie
Married Pierre Curie, a fellow scientist and collaborator.
Discovery of polonium and radium
Discovered the elements polonium and radium with Pierre Curie.
Nobel Prize in Physics
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for research on radioactivity.
First female professor at Sorbonne
Became the first female professor at the University of Paris after Pierre Curie's death.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her discovery of radium and polonium.
Founded Radium Institute
Founded the Radium Institute (now Curie Institute) in Paris, advancing cancer research.
Mobile X-ray units in WWI
Developed and operated mobile X-ray units for battlefield medical care during World War I.
Death
Marie Curie died in Passy, France, from aplastic anemia caused by radiation exposure.