Scientist
Marie Curie
Marie Curie was born on November 7, 1867 in Warsaw, Poland. She discovered polonium and radium at age 31 and won the Nobel Prize in Physics at 36.
Marie Curie was born in 1867 and lived to age 67. Anyone born before 1867 is older than Marie. Anyone over 67 is older than Marie ever was.
Born
November 7, 1867
Warsaw, Poland
World pop: ~1.6B
Died
July 4, 1934
World pop: ~2.2B
Marie's age at death
67
Your age
20
Are you older than Marie Curie?
No — Marie Curie was born in 1867. You were born in 2006, making you 139 years younger. Marie lived to age 67. You are currently 20, so you are not yet older than Marie was when she died.
At your age (20), Marie hadn't yet reached her first major milestone. Marie was 24 when she moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne — that's 4 years from now for you.
Marie's Life Timeline
Marie Curie was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland, then part of the Russian Empire. She was the youngest of five children in a family of educators. Curie's early education was influenced by her father, who was a teacher, and she displayed a keen interest in science from a young age. In 1891, she moved to Paris to continue her studies at the University of Paris, where she faced numerous challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field.
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Curie's career was marked by groundbreaking achievements in the field of radioactivity. In 1898, at the age of 31, she and her husband Pierre Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium, which significantly advanced the understanding of radioactivity. In 1903, she became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics, sharing it with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel. Later, in 1911, she won a second Nobel Prize, this time in Chemistry, for her work on radium and its compounds, making her the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields.
Marie Curie's legacy is profound, as she paved the way for women in science and contributed immensely to medical research, particularly in cancer treatment. She founded the Curie Institutes in Paris and Warsaw, which remain major centers of medical research today. Curie passed away on July 4, 1934, at the age of 66 due to aplastic anemia, a condition linked to her prolonged exposure to radiation. Her work continues to inspire generations of scientists and advocates for women in STEM fields.
Moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne
Marie Curie moved from Poland to Paris at 24 to study physics and mathematics at the Sorbonne, often too poor to afford food or heat. She would go on to become the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Marie Curie was 24 years old when she moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne in 1891. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Discovered polonium and radium
Marie Curie was 31 years old when she and her husband Pierre Curie discovered the elements polonium and radium. This discovery was pivotal in the study of radioactivity and opened new avenues for scientific research and medical applications.
Marie Curie was 31 years old when she discovered polonium and radium in 1898. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won the Nobel Prize in Physics
Marie Curie was 36 years old when she became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Physics. She shared this honor with her husband Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel for their collective work on radioactivity, marking a significant achievement in the scientific community.
Marie Curie was 36 years old when she won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
Marie Curie was 44 years old when she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her research on radium and its compounds. This made her the first person to win Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields, solidifying her legacy in science.
Marie Curie was 44 years old when she won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Founded the Curie Institute
Marie Curie was 46 years old when she founded the Curie Institute in Paris. This institution became a leading center for medical research, particularly in the field of cancer treatment, and continues to honor her legacy.
Marie Curie was 46 years old when she founded the Curie Institute in 1913. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Passed away
Marie Curie was 66 years old when she passed away on July 4, 1934. Her death was attributed to aplastic anemia, a condition linked to her extensive research with radioactive materials, highlighting the risks faced by pioneering scientists.
Marie Curie was 66 years old when she passed away in 1934. Are you older than Marie was? Enter your birth year to compare.
Age by Year
| Year | Age | Notable Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1867 | 0 | |
| 1868 | 1 | |
| 1869 | 2 | |
| 1870 | 3 | |
| 1871 | 4 | |
| 1872 | 5 | |
| 1873 | 6 | |
| 1874 | 7 | |
| 1875 | 8 | |
| 1876 | 9 | |
| 1877 | 10 | |
| 1878 | 11 | |
| 1879 | 12 | |
| 1880 | 13 | |
| 1881 | 14 | |
| 1882 | 15 | |
| 1883 | 16 | |
| 1884 | 17 | |
| 1885 | 18 | |
| 1886 | 19 | |
| 1887 | 20 | |
| 1888 | 21 | |
| 1889 | 22 | |
| 1890 | 23 | |
| 1891 | 24 | moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne |
| 1892 | 25 | |
| 1893 | 26 | |
| 1894 | 27 | |
| 1895 | 28 | |
| 1896 | 29 | |
| 1897 | 30 | |
| 1898 | 31 | discovered polonium and radium |
| 1899 | 32 | |
| 1900 | 33 | |
| 1901 | 34 | |
| 1902 | 35 | |
| 1903 | 36 | won the Nobel Prize in Physics |
| 1904 | 37 | |
| 1905 | 38 | |
| 1906 | 39 | |
| 1907 | 40 | |
| 1908 | 41 | |
| 1909 | 42 | |
| 1910 | 43 | |
| 1911 | 44 | won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry |
| 1912 | 45 | |
| 1913 | 46 | founded the Curie Institute |
| 1914 | 47 | |
| 1915 | 48 | |
| 1916 | 49 | |
| 1917 | 50 | |
| 1918 | 51 | |
| 1919 | 52 | |
| 1920 | 53 | |
| 1921 | 54 | |
| 1922 | 55 | |
| 1923 | 56 | |
| 1924 | 57 | |
| 1925 | 58 | |
| 1926 | 59 | |
| 1927 | 60 | |
| 1928 | 61 | |
| 1929 | 62 | |
| 1930 | 63 | |
| 1931 | 64 | |
| 1932 | 65 | |
| 1933 | 66 | |
| 1934 | 67 | passed away |
