Frida was born in born in Mexico City on July 6, 1907. In 1918, she was stricken with polio at age six. This caused her to be bedridden for nearly nine months.
The most dramatic event in Frida's life occurred when she was 18 years old--a trolley collided with a bus that she was boarding. This terrible accident resulted in many injuries, including a shattered leg, broken foot, collarbone, and pelvis, a metal rod speared through the abdomen, and other internal injuries. After the accident, Frida underwent over 30 operations throughout her lifetime in attempt to reconstruct her body. Much to her dismay, she was never able to have children as a result of her abdominal injuries.
Frida's artistic career took off while she was bedridden in recuperation from the accident. She painted not only to alleviate her boredom, but also to express the terrible pain and frustration that she was experiencing.
A year after the accident, in 1926, Frida married the famous Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera. They had a rocky marriage and spent periods of time living apart from each other. Both Frida and Diego had affairs during these times.
After many tragic years of pain and suffering, Frida died on July 13, 1954.