Rita Sahatçiu Ora was born in Pristina, then part of Yugoslavia (now Kosovo), to Albanian parents Besnik and Vera Sahatçiu. Her father is an economist, and her mother is a psychiatrist. She was born during a tumultuous period in the region's history.

Due to the political instability and persecution of Albanians in Yugoslavia, Rita's family moved to London, England, when she was just one year old. They sought refuge and a more stable environment for their children. She grew up in West London.

Growing up in London, Rita was exposed to a diverse range of music. Her mother owned a pub and would often let Rita perform for customers. This early exposure helped her develop a passion for music and performance at a very young age. She started singing at a young age and attended Sylvia Young Theatre School.

As a teenager, Ora began to perform at open mic nights and in her father’s pub. She worked on demo tapes to gain recognition and build her experience and connections. She did this while attending St Charles Catholic Sixth Form College.

Ora briefly participated in the BBC competition 'Eurovision: Your Country Needs You' with the intent of representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, she withdrew from the competition, stating she didn’t feel ready and wanted to develop her musical identity further.

After auditioning for various record labels and continuing to perform locally, Ora garnered the attention of Roc Nation. This marked a significant step in her career, bringing her closer to her professional debut.