Maria Skłodowska was the fifth child born to a pair of teachers. She was a studious child who worked hard at school. She did exceptionally well and took a job as a school governess when she turned eighteen to help pay for her sister's education in Paris.

She followed her sister three years later, enrolling in the University of Paris as Marie - the French version of Maria. She studied physics, chemistry, and mathematics and continued to excel. She became the first woman to receive a doctorate in France.

In her search for laboratory space in those university student years she met Pierre Curie who was an instructor. The two worked together on magnetism and eventually got married. Their work moved toward radioactivity and it was there that the became famous.  They discovered polonium and radium and shared a Nobel prize. After Pierre died she won a second Nobel prize, becoming the first woman to do so.

Marie Curie donated radiography units to help treat patients in World War I. She also donated her (and Pierre's) gold Nobel prize to help provide funds for the war effort.