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Last updated: October 1, 2025

Marie Curie (1867-1934): A Life Devoted to Science

Marie Curie (1867-1934)

Concise Biography

Born Maria Salomea Skłodowska on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw (then under Russian rule), she became Marie Curie after marrying Pierre Curie (1859-1906) in 1895. Her extraordinary career made her the first woman to win a Nobel Prize (Physics in 1903) and the only person to win two in different fields (Chemistry in 1911).

Her work on radioactivity (a term she coined) and the discovery of radium and polonium revolutionized physics and medicine. She died on July 4, 1934, from radiation-induced leukemia.

Major Scientific Contributions

Between 1898 and 1902, the Curies isolated two new chemical elements by processing several tons of pitchblende (uranium ore). Their research demonstrated that:

Legacy and Recognition

Her influence extends far beyond her discoveries:

Properties of Polonium and Radium
PropertyPolonium (84Po)Radium (88Ra)Reference
Year of Discovery18981898Curie & Curie (1898)
Half-life138.376 days (210Po)1,600 years (226Ra)NNDC, 2023
Medical ApplicationNeutron source (therapy)Radiotherapy (cancer)IAEA, 2020

Controversies and Posterity

Despite her success, Marie Curie faced challenges:

Today, her name is associated with:

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