 Her father was described as "one of the most elegant and spirited gentlemen of his time", and her mother was celebrated for her beauty at the French royal court of Versailles, when she accompanied her aunt and uncle by marriage, Ulla Tessin and the Swedish ambassador to France count Carl Gustaf Tessin, to France.Both her parents spent their life in service at the royal Swedish court, and Ulla von Fersen, as well as her sisters, served as "hovfröken" (maid of honour) prior to her marriage.From 1767 to 1770, she served as "hovfröken" to the Crown Princess, Sophia Magdalena of Denmark.