Likely born into a working-class family in England. Details of her parentage, precise birthdate, and childhood remain unknown. It is reasonable to assume that her early life included the typical hardships and limited opportunities available to women of her social class during that era.

It's possible that Berkley became acquainted with the seedier aspects of London life early on. This could have been through circumstance, employment, or association with individuals involved in prostitution or other illicit activities. Exposure to these circles would have provided a knowledge base for her later endeavors.

Berkley would have needed to acquire practical skills and knowledge to operate a brothel catering to a specific clientele. This likely involved learning about sadomasochistic practices, understanding the desires of wealthy patrons, and developing the persona of a dominant figure.