Maria Sklodowska was the youngest of five children of władysław and bronisława Sklodowska. Both her parents were teachers.
From an early age, the girl followed in the footsteps of his father, a lively interest in mathematics and physics. After receiving his primary education in the school of J. Sikorska, Maria enters the women's gymnasium, which he graduated in 1883 with a gold medal. Admission to men's University of Warsaw she was ordered, and therefore it can only agree on the position of teacher in the flying University. However, to give up the dream to get the coveted degree, Maria is in no hurry, and concludes with his older sister, Bronislava a deal that she will support his sister, but sister will help her.
Maria is taken for any work, becomes a private tutor and a governess to earn money for my sister's education. And at the same time, she engaged in self-education, enthusiastically reading books and scientific papers. She also begins his own research practice in the chemical laboratory.
In 1891 she moves to France, where he entered the University of Paris in Sorbonne. There her name will be converted to a French name Marie. Due to the fact that financial support her wait was nowhere, a girl trying to earn a living, in the evenings gives private lessons.
In 1893 she receives a master's degree in physics, and in the following year, and master's degrees in mathematics. His scientific papers Maria begins with studies of different types of steel and their magnetic properties.