Stephen Hawking's revolutionary ideas in theoretical physics were fueled by his passion for understanding the universe, despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at 21. The challenge of living with a degenerative disease forced him to innovate, using a computerized speech-generating device to communicate and write. His relentless curiosity led to significant contributions, including the Hawking radiation theory, which proposed that black holes emit radiation and can eventually evaporate. Hawking's perspective on life, shaped by his condition, emphasized resilience and creativity, ultimately inspiring many in the fields of science and education.