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Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary known for founding the Missionaries of Charity and for her work with the poor in Kolkata, India.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary known for founding the Missionaries of Charity and for her work with the poor in Kolkata, India. Born in 1910 as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, she received the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize and was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2016.

Early life

Mother Teresa was born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, then in the Ottoman Empire. She later joined the Sisters of Loreto and moved to India.

Missionaries of Charity

In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata. The order focused on care for the poor, sick, dying, and other vulnerable people.

Recognition and honors

Mother Teresa received the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize and other honors during her lifetime. The Catholic Church beatified her in 2003 and canonized her in 2016.

Legacy

Mother Teresa remains one of the best-known humanitarian figures of the 20th century. Her life and work continue to be discussed for their religious, charitable, and historical significance.

Key facts

  • Mother Teresa was born in 1910 in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire, and died in 1997 in Calcutta, India.
  • She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation dedicated to serving the poor and sick.
  • She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work.
  • She was beatified in 2003 and canonized by Pope Francis in 2016.
  • Her religious name is commonly associated with Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
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Canadian context

Mother Teresa is a globally known humanitarian figure often covered in Canadian classrooms, faith communities, and history curricula as an example of 20th-century charity work and Catholic social service.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Mother Teresa?
Mother Teresa was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary who founded the Missionaries of Charity and became known for her work with the poor.
What was Mother Teresa's real name?
Her birth name was Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu.
What is Mother Teresa best known for?
She is best known for founding the Missionaries of Charity and for her work caring for poor and sick people in Kolkata, India.
Did Mother Teresa win the Nobel Prize?
Yes. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her humanitarian work.
Was Mother Teresa made a saint?
Yes. She was canonized by the Catholic Church in 2016 and is known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
When did Mother Teresa die?
She died on 5 September 1997.

References

  1. Nobel Prize — https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/biographical/
    Supports: Birth name, birth place, and death date
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mother-Teresa
    Supports: Biography, Missionaries of Charity, Nobel Peace Prize, canonization
  3. Nobel Prize — https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1979/teresa/facts/
    Supports: Nobel Peace Prize, birth and death details, role
  4. Reuters — https://www.reuters.com/article/world/factbox-key-facts-about-mother-teresa-idUSKCN11745T/
    Supports: Biography basics and canonization context