 Born in Arad, Sârbu graduated from Law School at the West University of Timișoara, where she was awarded a Master's Degree in Commercial law.She also graduated from the National College of Defense in 2002, and later worked for a law practice.In 1996, Sârbu joined the PSD (known as PDSR at the time), and in 2001 became an Adviser for the Controlling Body of the Romanian Premiership in the Năstase cabinet.