Babette Bean was born to French parents, and her family moved to New York City when she was two. They then moved to Minneapolis and when she was eight years old they moved to Venezuela. She went to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, graduating with a bachelor's degree. Babette taught school for two years in Minneapolis. She was a member of the Minneapolis Symphony BALL Executive Committee and served on the Minneapolis Art Institute Friends Board. She enjoys spending her spare time with her family, sports and travels.