Ellen Von Unwerth was born in Germany’s town Frankfurt in 1954. She had been in foster care at times in Bavaria. After graduating from high school, she joined the circus as an assistant to do stunts and magic shows. When she was 20, she was approached by a photographer who invited her to model. Soon she shifted to Paris to chase her career. She modeled for some really good photographers of that era. She kept that profession for ten years in the world of fashion and enjoyed her field.