Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, then part of Yugoslavia, on August 27, 1910. Her parents were known for their kindness and generosity and their simple acts of helping others deeply influenced young Agnes.

When she was just seven, her father passed away, leaving her mother to raise three children. At the age of eighteen, Agnes felt the call to serve God and humanity. She joined the Sisters of Loreto in 1928 and soon came to Calcutta (now Kolkata), India.

In 1948, a life-changing moment came when she found a woman half-dead outside a hospital. She stayed by her side until the woman passed away. The helplessness she felt that day inspired her to dedicate her life to serving the poorest of the poor. This marked the beginning of her journey as the “Saint of the Gutters.” She founded the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, a group of nuns committed to serving the needy. What began with 12 sisters grew into an organization with over 3,000 members working across 100 countries.

Mother Teresa’s selfless work brought her global recognition. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her extraordinary service to humanity. Even after her death on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata, her spirit of compassion continues to inspire millions.

When asked what motivated her, Mother Teresa simply said, “I see God in every human being.” Her life remains a shining example of love, sacrifice and true service to mankind.