Mother Teresa Net Worth (Updated 2025).
Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, began her journey to sainthood in the early 20th century when she left her home in Skopje, Macedonia, to join the Sisters of Loreto in Ireland at the age of 18. She took her first vows as a nun in 1928 and was sent to teach in Calcutta, India, where she would eventually dedicate her life to serving the poorest and most marginalized people.
In 1946, while traveling by train between Calcutta and Darjeeling, Mother Teresa received what she described as a “call within a call” from God, instructing her to leave the convent and help the poor by living among them. She began her work by opening a school in Motijhil, Calcutta, for the children of the poorest families. Her dedication and selfless service to the destitute and dying quickly gained attention, and she soon became known for her tireless efforts to alleviate suffering and bring hope to those in need.
Mother Teresa’s Current Net Worth (2025)
As of 2025, Mother Teresa’s net worth is estimated to be around $700 million. This figure is primarily attributed to the global impact and recognition of her humanitarian work, rather than personal wealth accumulation, as she dedicated her life to serving the poor and needy.
Career
Mother Teresa, born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was a Roman Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950. She dedicated her life to serving the poor, sick, and orphaned, earning the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her work has inspired countless individuals and organizations worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on global humanitarian efforts.
Other Ventures
Mother Teresa’s influence extends beyond her life’s work. She inspired the creation of numerous organizations and initiatives in her name, such as the Mother Teresa Movement and the Mother Teresa Children’s Foundation. These entities continue her legacy by providing aid and support to those in need, particularly in underprivileged communities.
Assets
Mother Teresa’s assets primarily consist of the institutions and properties established by her Missionaries of Charity, which are valued at over $500 million. These include hospitals, orphanages, schools, and shelters across the globe. Notably, she herself lived a life of poverty, owning virtually nothing personally.
Annual Income
As a nun who took a vow of poverty, Mother Teresa did not have an annual income in the traditional sense. The Missionaries of Charity, however, receive donations and grants totaling approximately $100 million annually. These funds are used to support the organization’s various humanitarian projects and institutions worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mother Teresa
**Frequently Asked Questions: Mother Teresa Net Worth**
1. What was Mother Teresa’s net worth?
Mother Teresa’s net worth was estimated to be around $517 million at the time of her death in 1997. However, it’s important to note that she herself lived a life of poverty and dedicated her life’s work to helping the poor and needy.
2. How did Mother Teresa become wealthy?
Mother Teresa did not accumulate wealth in the traditional sense. Her wealth primarily consisted of the properties and assets of the Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded. These assets were used to fund the order’s humanitarian work.
3. Did Mother Teresa leave any personal wealth to her family?
Mother Teresa took a vow of poverty and did not have any personal wealth. She lived a simple life and did not own any personal assets. After her death, her family did not receive any inheritance.
4. How was Mother Teresa’s wealth used?
Mother Teresa’s wealth was used to fund the work of the Missionaries of Charity, which includes running homes for people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, as well as soup kitchens, orphanages, and schools. The order also provides aid to refugees, the elderly, and the disabled.
5. Was Mother Teresa a billionaire?
Yes, at the time of her death, Mother Teresa’s net worth was estimated to be around $517 million, making her a billionaire. However, it’s crucial to understand that she did not benefit personally from this wealth.
6. How did Mother Teresa start the Missionaries of Charity?
Mother Teresa started the Missionaries of Charity in 1950, with the permission of the Archbishop of Calcutta, following a “call within a call” she received while traveling by train to Darjeeling. She began her work by opening a home for the dying in Calcutta.
7. What inspired Mother Teresa to help the poor?
Mother Teresa was inspired to help the poor by her faith and her interpretation of Jesus’ teachings. She believed that serving the poorest and most marginalized was the most effective way to serve God.
8. How many awards did Mother Teresa win?
Mother Teresa won numerous awards throughout her life, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. She also received honorary doctorates from several universities and was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1980.
9. When was Mother Teresa canonized?
Mother Teresa was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church on September 4, 2016, and is now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta.
10. What is the Missionaries of Charity’s net worth today?
The Missionaries of Charity’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, the order continues to operate numerous homes and provide aid to the poor and needy around the world.
