Rita Sahatçiu was born in Pristina, Yugoslavia (now Kosovo), to Albanian parents Vera (née Bajraktari), a psychiatrist, and Besnik Sahatçiu, a pub owner. Her birth occurred amidst a tumultuous period in the region's history, marking the start of a life that would later be defined by displacement and adaptation.

At the age of one, Rita and her family fled Kosovo due to political instability and persecution of Albanians. They sought refuge in London, England, where she grew up in Notting Hill. This move significantly shaped her cultural identity and exposed her to the diverse musical influences that would later inform her artistry. She also changed her family name to 'Ora' which means 'hour' in Albanian, believing it was easier to pronounce.