Ana Mari Sanchez Brias was born in Manila, Philippines on 6 April, 1937. She married Jaime Calero Loewinson and graduated from 'Assumption Convent' Manila — American Education. She was caught in Manila during World War II and lived in Barcelona after the war. She owned and managed a kindergarten for 20 years before emigrating to Australia in 1982 from the Philippines. She taught Spanish in various Children's Language schools and centres in Sydney. She has 4 children, 10 grandchildren and 2 greatgrandchildren. In 2013, she had a car accident and was hospitalised. She now lives in Kingswood, Western Suburbs.