Polish by birth, Maria Sklodowska moved to France in 1891 and enrolled at Sorbonne University in Paris. She was introduced to Pierre Curie by Polish physicist and Professor, Count Józef Wierusz-Kowalski.

Within a year, Pierre asked for Marie’s hand in marriage. At the time, she did not accept because she planned to return to Poland to work.

But when Marie was denied a place at Kraków University because she was a woman, Pierre convinced her to return to Paris.

On 26 July 1895 Pierre and Marie had a civil wedding ceremony in Sceaux. Instead of a bridal gown, Marie chose a dark blue dress. She explained: “I have no dress except the one I wear every day.

For their honeymoon, the Curies took a bicycle tour around the French countryside. Pierre and Marie had two daughters, Irene and Eve.

In 1903, the couple won the Noble Prize for physics , along with Henri Becquerel , for their joint research on radiation. At first, Marie was not included in the nomination.

But when Pierre found out he complained and Marie’s name was added, making her the first woman to be awarded a Noble Prize.

More Info: www.mariecurie.org.uk