Martha Argerich was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1941. She began piano lessons at the age of five with Vincenzo Scaramuzza. Considered a child prodigy, she soon performed in public. At age 14, Argerich moved to Europe to continue her studies in London, Vienna and in Switzerland alongside a variety of well-known teachers. In 1957, two years after moving to Europe, Argerich she won the Bolzano and Geneva Piano Competitions, and in 1965 she won the Warsaw International Chopin Competition. Since her early success, Argerich has been one of the most prominent pianists in the world, both in popularity and ability.