Marie Curie was born Marie Sklodowska on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland.

(Photo from the American Institute of Physics website: www.aip.org)

Her mother resigned as head of a school at the time of Marie's birth. She and her family moved to a boys' high school where her father taught physics and math.

She received a general education in local schools and some scientific training from her father, Vladislav. Her family greatly valued education. Marie graduated at the age of fifteen. After the death of an older sibling, followed three years later by the death of her mother, Bronislawa, she, her father, her brother and sisters drew closer together. The bond between Marie and her older sister, Bronya, led to a pact that would eventually lead Marie to Paris in 1891, at the age of 24, to study at the Sorbonne. Marie lived with Bronya and her husband for a short time. The hour-long carriage ride to and from the university made it difficult for Marie to stay there long. She viewed it as wasted time and money. She moved to the Latin Quarter, close to the university. Living arrangements were basic and she kept warm in the winter months by wearing every piece of clothing she owned.