 The daughter of "postelnic" Iordache Rosetti, a high-ranking boyar of the Rosetti family, she was also closely related to the Sturdzas and other families of boyars.Born in Iaşi, she married Cuza in 1844 — their relationship soured soon after, as Elena was not able to bear a child.However, she later raised as her own children his two sons by his mistress, Elena Maria Catargiu-Obrenović.