Born Maria Sklodowska in Warsaw November 7 1867, she had many siblings. Curie lived during the Polish National Uprising. Her family was having a very hard time. When Curie's grandfather lost his job, he brought his science materials home and taught his grandchildren how to use them. Curie's mother died when Curie was just ten. At the same time Curie went to a girls school and came out a gold metal student. When Curie got older she worked for a family. Curie was asked to come to Paris with her sister, but Curie declined for financial reasons. Curie still read books and wrote letters , making herself better educated. Curie went to Flying University , where she began her career in science. In 1891, she attended the University of Paris, where she studied chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In 1893, she was awarded a masters degree in physics. She received a second one in math in 1894. That same year she met her husband, Pierre Curie. He was an instructor at the School of Physics and Chemistry.