 Belpré was born in Cidra, Puerto Rico.There is some dispute as to the date of her birth which has been given as February 2, 1899, December 2, 1901 and February 2, 1903.Belpré graduated from Central High School in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1919 and enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico in Río Piedras, where she originally planned on becoming a teacher.