A Day That Shook The World: Death of Mother Teresa
![](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2011/04/01/12/591282.jpg)
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
![Louise Thomas](https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/support-us/louise-thomas.png)
Louise Thomas
Editor
On 5 September 1997, Mother Teresa died of a heart attack in Calcutta at the age of 87.
Her charitable work in India first came to light in a series of BBC documentaries in the '60s. As a result she became internationally famous, a global figure of piety and sacrifice for her work running orphanages and homes for the poor.
Her death in 1997 was major world news; by the time she died, her organisation the Missionaries of Charity was a huge concern, while her funeral in Calcutta was attended by world leaders by the dozen.
Watch original British Pathe footage from Mother Teresa's work, and of her funeral, above.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments