 Bashkirtseff was born Maria Konstantinovna Bashkirtseva in Gavrontsi near Poltava (now Ukraine) to a wealthy noble family, but her parents separated when she was quite young.As a result, she grew up mostly abroad, traveling with her mother throughout most of Europe, with longer spells in Germany and on the Riviera, until the family settled in Paris.Educated privately and with early musical talent, she lost her chance at a career as a singer when illness destroyed her voice.