 Potocka was born in 1760 January 1 (January 11, New Style) in the Turkish city of Bursa to Constantine Clavone, a poor Greek cattle merchant, and Maria Clavone.In 1772, when Zofia was 12 years old, she moved to the Greek district of Phanar in Constantinople with her parents and sisters.Around 1775, when Zofia was 15 years old, her father Constantine died under mysterious circumstances.