Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori was born in Chiaravalle, Province of Ancona, Italy. Her father, Alessandro Montessori, was an official in the Ministry of Finance, and her mother, Renilde Stoppani, was well-educated and came from a family with intellectual interests.

The Montessori family moved to Florence, Italy, where Maria attended a state-run primary school. This early exposure to formal education laid the foundation for her future work.

The family relocated to Rome, a pivotal move that allowed Maria greater access to advanced educational opportunities.

Montessori initially pursued technical studies at the Regio Istituto Tecnico Leonardo da Vinci in Rome. This school focused on subjects like math, science, and engineering, areas not traditionally favored by women at the time. Her initial career aspiration was to become an engineer.

Montessori defied societal expectations by enrolling in physics, mathematics, and natural sciences at the University of Rome. This was the first step toward her ultimate goal of studying medicine.

After completing her preliminary science courses, Montessori was admitted to the medical school at the University of Rome, facing significant resistance and prejudice as one of the first women in Italy to pursue medicine.

During her medical studies, Montessori gained practical experience by working as a hospital assistant. This hands-on experience exposed her to the realities of healthcare and deepened her commitment to serving others.

Maria Montessori graduated from the University of Rome, becoming one of the first female doctors in Italy. This achievement marked a significant milestone in her life and career, paving the way for her groundbreaking work in education and child development.