Mother Teresa was born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, now part of North Macedonia. Her birth name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu.
She joined the Sisters of Loreto at the age of 18 and took the name Sister Mary Teresa after St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
In 1946, she experienced a 'call within a call' to leave the convent and work directly with the poor.
She founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, which grew to include over 4,500 sisters and was active in 133 countries by the time of her death.
Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work.
She opened her first hospice in Calcutta in 1952, providing free care for the sick and dying.
Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity also established orphanages, leper houses, and clinics for the poor.
She was known for her simple lifestyle, often wearing a white sari with blue borders.
Mother Teresa met with numerous world leaders and addressed the United Nations General Assembly in 1985.
She was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 1980.
Mother Teresa faced criticism for her views on contraception and abortion, as well as the conditions in her hospices.
Her life and work have been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and films.
Mother Teresa was canonized as a saint by Pope Francis on September 4, 2016.
She passed away on September 5, 1997, in Calcutta, India.
Mother Teresa's legacy continues through the ongoing work of the Missionaries of Charity and the inspiration she provides to people worldwide.