Vivien Kellems was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to David Edgar Kellems, a mathematics professor, and Elizabeth (Martin) Kellems, a teacher. Her upbringing instilled in her a strong sense of independence, self-reliance, and a belief in the importance of education and critical thinking, traits that would define her later life and career.

Kellems graduated from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, with a degree in economics. This formal education provided her with a solid foundation in economic principles, which she would later use to analyze and critique government policies, particularly those related to taxation and economic regulation. Her studies at Reed undoubtedly shaped her understanding of economic systems and the role of government in society.