 Lovisa was born in the city of Narva in Swedish Estonia, one of five daughters to the noble Swedish major Gustaf von Burghausen and Margareta von Brundert.Her father had been taking part in the defence of the city when it was taken by the Russians after the Battle of Narva (1704).During the chaotic pillage of the city, Lovisa was separated from her family and taken captive by a Russian soldier.