Who is Mileva Einstein ?
Promised to a brillant future, how and why Mileva Marić, from her real name, ended up forgotten ?
By Bambou FRANCESCHINI, published the 20/10/2025
Before 1896
Mileva Marić was born on December 19th in 1875 in Titel in Serbia. She entered the Mitrovica high school in 1888, where she found her passion for mathematics and physics. She stayed there for two years before joining the Royal School of Agram in 1891, a boys' school. Thanks to her father she was allowed to go there. She became the best student in mathematics and physics. Unfortunately, she became sick in 1894 and left to Switzerland to attend a girls' high school in Zurich. She graduated her maturity diploma (equivalent to the French Baccalaureate) in 1896.
From 1896 to 1914
Mileva met Albert Einstein in the Polytechnic School of Zurich in 1896. She is the only woman in class. They are sharing their interest for physics and music and fell in love quickly. As a Serb (not German) and an Orthodox (not Jewish), Albert Einstein's family doesn't approve this union. Nevertheless, they get married in 1903. During their studies, Mileva got better grades than Albert Einstein. They are working together in their researches. Many letters where found written between the two lovers.
From 1914 to 1948
Mileva and Albert Einstein divorced in 1919 after a mandatory 5 years of separation. Einstein later married his cousin, Elsa Einstein, while Mileva kept the children and never remarried. In 1921, Einstein gave her the Nobel Prize's money, for their children's education. While the scientist lived in the glory, she remained in the shadows, unacknowledged for the work she may have contributed to. She died in 1948 after struggling with depression.