Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu

Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu (August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997), known to the world as Mother Teresa, was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun who became one of the most recognized humanitarian figures of the 20th century. Born in Skopje, she felt called to religious life as a young woman and joined the Sisters of Loreto at age 18. In 1948, compelled by her spiritual conviction to serve the poorest of the poor, she left the convent to work in the slums of Calcutta, India. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, an organization dedicated to caring for the destitute, dying, orphaned, and sick, particularly those suffering from leprosy and HIV/AIDS. Her tireless work in India earned her international recognition, and by the late 20th century, the Missionaries of Charity had expanded to operate in numerous countries across the globe. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 in recognition of her humanitarian work. Though her legacy remains complex and subject to scholarly debate, Mother Teresa undeniably dedicated her life to alleviating human suffering and inspired millions through her example of compassionate service. Her canonization in 2016 further cemented her place in religious and cultural history.