The difficult life of Marie Curie and her courage, rigor and integrity are a source of inspiration to everyone, to both women and men of science alike. Her clashes with the bigotry, obtuseness and downright stupidity of patriotism and “defense against foreigners,” her unstintingly serious gaze, the richness of her scientific legacy and the clarity and generosity of her life have remained exemplary. Albert Einstein said of her that she was the only person never to be corrupted by fame.
