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Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)

(1910-1997), Roman Catholic nun and missionary; recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize

Sitter in 1 portrait
Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu was born in Skopje, in what is now Macedonia, of Albanian parents. In 1928 she joined the sisters of Loreto and began teaching at a St Mary's School in Calcutta becoming Principal in 1937. In 1948 she left the convent to work in the Calcutta slums and founded the House for the Dying in 1952. Mother Teresa's charity the Order of the Missionaries was founded in 1950 became a pontifical congregation in 1956 which now runs over 650 charity houses in 124 countries. Awarded numerous international prizes including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 and an honorary Order of Merit from Queen Elizabeth II in 1983.

Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below

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Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)

by Jane Bown
bromide print on card mount, 1971
NPG x28633

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Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu)

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