Mother Teresa Mother Teresa Born August 27, 1910 Skopje, Kossovo Vilayet, Ottoman; today's Republic of Macedonia Died September 5, 1997 {{{place_of_death}}} Mother Teresa of Calcutta, OM (August 27, 1910 - September 5, 1997) was an Albanian Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in India. Her work among the poverty-stricken of Kolkata (Calcutta) made her one of the world's most famous people, and she was beatified by Pope John Paul II in October 2003. Hence, she may be properly called Blessed Teresa by Catholics. Teresa was awarded the Templeton Prize in 1973, the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, and India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna in 1980. In 1971, she was awarded the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize. She was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1985. Teresa was made an Honorary Citizen of the United States in 1996. She was the first and only person to be featured on an Indian postage stamp while still alive. Her supporters sometimes referred to her as the "Angel of Mercy" and "Saint of the Gutter."
Teresa was also known for her books about Christian spirituality and prayer, some that were written together with her close friend Frère Roger.
While many Catholics and others considered Teresa the embodiment of a "living saint," as always with figures with such widespread influence, critics have raised questions about her public statements, working practices, political connections, and the use of funds donated to her charity.
