Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now the capital of North Macedonia, was a renowned Roman Catholic nun and missionary. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint in 2016, known for her life-long dedication to charitable work with the poor and sick.

Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, part of the Ottoman Empire then. Raised in a devoutly Catholic Albanian family, her father, Nikola, was involved in local politics. After his death when she was eight, her religious mother, Dranafile, instilled in her the importance of faith and charity.

At 18, Mother Teresa left home to join the Sisters of Loreto in Dublin, Ireland, where she learned English. She then trained in Darjeeling, India, taking her initial vows as a nun and taught at a convent school in Calcutta before founding the Missionaries of Charity.

Known for her simple white sari with a blue border, Mother Teresa was deeply committed to prayer and reflection. Despite experiencing spiritual doubt, she remained focused on humanitarian aid and had significant influence globally, including people like Princess Diana.

Mother Teresa never married nor had children, dedicating her entire life to religious service and charitable work.

Her ambitions were centered on expanding her charitable organization's reach, providing care for marginalized individuals globally, which she actively pursued until her passing.

Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950 in Calcutta, dedicated to serving the unwanted and unloved of society. Her organization expanded internationally, with over 4,500 members operating hospices, orphanages, and schools worldwide.

Her work in the slums of Calcutta made her globally recognized, particularly through the 1969 documentary "Something Beautiful for God." Her development of the Kalighat Home for the Dying in 1952 remains a hallmark of her compassionate mission.