Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born into a Catholic family in the Balkans. She was determined to follow her religious vocation, at the age of 18 she entered the House of the Sisters of Our Lady of Loreto, Ireland. From there she left for India, where she made novitiate and vows of obedience, poverty and chastity, adopting the name Teresa.
In 1946, she heard an inner call that prompted her to leave the convent and live among the poor of Calcutta. She got Indian nationality, started wearing white sari with blue trim and a small cross on her shoulder. She asked for help on the streets to assist the poor, sick and hungry, raising supporters to the cause. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and more than 600 missions throughout India and in more than 100 countries.
In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize for services rendered to humanity. She died at the age of 87, and in 2003 she was beatified by Pope John Paul II.
