Sarah Breedlove was born on a cotton plantation near Delta, Louisiana, just four years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. She was the first of her siblings to be born free.

Both of Sarah's parents, Minerva and Owen Breedlove, died when she was only seven years old, leaving her an orphan. This marked a period of immense hardship and insecurity.

Sarah moved to Vicksburg to live with her older sister, Louvenia, and her brother-in-law, Willie Powell. She worked as a domestic servant, facing long hours and low wages.

At the age of 14, Sarah married Moses McWilliams in Vicksburg. The marriage was likely a means of escaping the harsh conditions and potential abuse she faced in her sister's household.

Sarah and Moses welcomed their daughter, Lelia McWilliams, who would later play a significant role in her mother's business and legacy. Lelia's birth brought joy but also added to the family's financial strain.

Moses McWilliams passed away, leaving Sarah a young widow responsible for raising their daughter alone. This event further fueled her determination to provide a better life for herself and Lelia.