Religion · Literature · Philosophy · 1515–1582

Teresa of Ávila — Age, Birthday & Biography

Born: 28 March 1515 · Died: 15 October 1582 · Age: 67

Spanish mystic and nun who founded the Discalced Carmelite Order

Did you know?She was the first woman to be officially declared a Doctor of the Church, a title given to influential Catholic saints.

Quick facts

  • Date of birth28 March 1515
  • Date of death15 October 1582
  • Age at death67
  • NationalitySpanish
  • BirthplaceÁvila, Spain
  • Occupationwriter, philosopher, founder of Catholic religious community

Editor's Take:

Teresa of Ávila was a mystic who also proved a skilled organiser. She described visions and prayer with startling honesty. Then she travelled Spain's rough roads to found new convents. Church officials often opposed her, and the Inquisition examined her writings. She met resistance with humour and stubborn courage. Her books remain classics of Spanish prose and of Christian spirituality. In 1970 she became one of the first women named a Doctor of the Church, a rare honour.

Key Milestones

  1. 1535: Enters the Carmelite convent at Ávila
  2. 1562: Founds her first reformed convent
  3. 1577: Writes The Interior Castle
  4. 1622: Canonised as a saint

Teresa of Ávila (born Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda Dávila y Ahumada; 28 March 1515 – 4 or 15 October 1582), religious name Teresa of Jesus, was a Carmelite nun, prominent Spanish mystic and spiritual reformer.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

Profile

Teresa of Ávila: Mystic and Reformer

Spanish nun and saint, born 1515

Teresa of Ávila was born in Ávila on 28 March 1515.

She founded the Discalced Carmelites.

She wrote The Interior Castle.

In 1970 she became the first woman named a Doctor of the Church.

Career highlights

  1. 1535Carmelites: enters convent
  2. 1562St Joseph's: first reformed convent
  3. 1565Life: autobiography
  4. 1577Interior Castle: written
  5. 1622Canonised: saint

Did you know?She founded 17 convents across Spain.

Age at death
67
Years since death
444

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Frequently asked questions

When is Teresa of Ávila's birthday?
Teresa of Ávila's birthday is March 28. She was born on March 28, 1515 in Ávila, Spain.
How old was Teresa of Ávila when she died?
Teresa of Ávila died on October 15, 1582, aged 67.
Who shares a birthday with Teresa of Ávila?
Famous people who share Teresa of Ávila's March 28 birthday include Raphael, Maxim Gorky, Mario Vargas Llosa, Rodrigo Duterte and John Amos Comenius.

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Reviewed by the Who Shares My Birthday editorial team.

Last reviewed: October 2026