Amy Jade Winehouse was born at Chase Farm Hospital in Gordon Hill, Enfield, London, to Jewish parents Mitchell "Mitch" Winehouse and Janis Winehouse (née Seaton).

Winehouse attended Osidge Primary School and later Ashmole School in London's Southgate area.

Winehouse attended a Jewish Sunday school, though she expressed disapproval towards it in later interviews.

Winehouse was expelled from school, but this led to her first chance in music when a school friend, pop singer Tyler James, passed a demo tape of her to his manager.