only for men Science in particular was not seen as a suitable subject for women Once Curie moved to France the fact that she was not French also sometimes counted against her A FAMILY OF NOBEL PRIZE WINNERS Marie and Pierre’s eldest daughter Irène later won a Nobel Prize herself Along with her husband Frédéric she won the prize for chemistry in 1935 Marie Curie is one of the best-known scientists in the world
What Was Marie Curie’s Upbringing Like Marie Curie was born Maria Sklodowska in Warsaw then part of the Russian Empire but now in Poland on November 7 1867 Maria was the youngest of five children she had three sisters and one brother Her parents were teachers and made sure that their daughters were as well educated as their son This was unusual at the time Boys were expected to get a job when they grew up whereas girls were supposed to get married have children and stay at home to care for their family This often meant that the education of girls was not considered important
Maria center is seen here with her brother and sisters Maria got her love of science from her father Wladislaw who was a math and physics teacher At the time Warsaw was ruled by the Russian Empire which greatly angered Maria’s father His feelings caused him to lose a good teaching position The family was very poor Zosia Maria’s eldest sister died of a disease called typhus when Maria was only eight Maria’s mother Bronislawa died from a disease called tuberculosis two years later when Maria was 10
