Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu** on August 26, 1910, in Skopje (modern-day North Macedonia), was a Roman Catholic nun and missionary known for her tireless work in helping the poor and sick. She joined the Sisters of Loreto at 18 and moved to India, where she taught at a convent school in Calcutta (now Kolkata). In 1946, she felt a “call within a call” to leave the convent and dedicate her life to serving the poorest of the poor.
In 1950, she founded the **Missionaries of Charity**, which grew into a global organization running homes for people suffering from HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, as well as orphanages, schools, and soup kitchens. Her work earned her widespread recognition, including the **Nobel Peace Prize** in 1979 for her humanitarian efforts.
Despite her accolades, Mother Teresa also faced criticism, particularly for her opposition to abortion and for the conditions in some of her homes for the dying. Nevertheless, she remained a symbol of compassion and dedication to the less fortunate.
Mother Teresa passed away on **September 5, 1997**, and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2016. She remains an inspirational figure for her commitment to charity and faith【36†source】【37†source】.