On August 31, 1975, Sara Elena Ramirez was born to Mexican parents Luisa Vargas and Alberto Ramirez. Unfortunately, their parents separated after divorce citing irreconcilable differences when the transgender actress was only 8.

Ramirez and their single Mexican mother moved to Tierrasanta, San Diego, California, from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, North Mexico. From an early age, they had a keen interest in music. Later, they enrolled at the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.  

Following high school graduation, Sara pursued acting after discovering singing talent during an audition. They enrolled at the Juilliard School in NYC. Later, they earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA) in Theatre Acting.