Born on July 6, 1907, to a German father and a Mexican mother of Spanish and Native American descent, Kahlo was named Magdalena Carmen Frieda Kahlo y Calderon. She went by the name Frieda, derived from the German word for peace, but changed it to Frida at age 25 to de-emphasize the traditional Germanic spelling.

Frida was unable to have children The snail suggests the slow pace of her miscarriage, whilst the other objects link her to her love and her past.

Among the known and apparent companions of the artist are several recognizable names, including Leon Trotsky and Georgia O'Keeffe. The same passions that helped Frida Kahlo become a great artist are reflected in her many love affairs. These took place despite her being married (twice) to fellow artist Diego Rivera.

Frida Kahlo had five sisters. Matilde, Adriana, and Cristina were full-sisters, the children of Frida's parents Guillermo Kahlo and Matilde Calderon y Gonzalez. Frida also had two half-sisters, Maria Luisa and Margarita. They were the daughters of her Frida's father Guillermo and his first wife, Maria Cardena.