Elizabeth Ann Hulette was born on the November 19 1960 in Frankfort, Kentucky. Her grandmother Mary Lou Van Meter had married a leading Kentucky steel manufacturer by the name of Raymond Sorg. Their daughter Mary Ann married Donald E. Hulette and gave birth to Elizabeth and Steve. Most reports state that Elizabeth grew up without her father, leaving her with only a mother and brother. Elizabeth's father continued to live in Kentucky but he did not have an active part in her early life. Elizabeth's mother was determined to give her children everything they wanted even though she was a single mother. As a child she enjoyed swimming, riding horses and playing the flute.

Liz and Steve took riding lessons in the outskirts of Frankfort's Woodland Acres riding stable owned by E.B. and Bettye Gaither and their son Stewart. Liz's first horse was called Vinegar and she also had two Saddleseat English Pleasure horses. Elizabeth would spend hours riding and playing wither her friends in the woods. Whilst attending Bondurant Middle School, Frankfort Kentucky, Elizabeth took part in marching bands, but after her face appeared on the front page of the local paper she stopped because of the embarrassment. Liz also appeared as part of the Franklin County Fair Queen contest in 1977. The theme of the show was "The Beauty Outdoors" and was sponsored by Sorg Sheet Metal (a company owned by her mothers family.)

Many considered Elizabeth to be one of the most popular girls at school, winning people over with her dry sense of humour and kindness. Much was expected of Elizabeth but she never really bowed to those expectations. Instead, she did what she wanted even if it meant disappointing others. Although always appearing cheerful and with a smile, Liz played her emotions close to her chest, opening up to only those who she wanted to share with.

Later Elizabeth moved to Franklin Co High School, Frankfort, Kentuckyand eventually graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Communications. During her time at KYU several sources have mentioned that Liz was engaged to be married. Although there are different version of who the man was it would appear that Elizabeth definitely was to be married before meeting Randy Poffo.

The exact first meeting between Elizabeth Ann Hulette and Randy Poffo is somewhat confusing. Most sources pin it down to when Elizabeth was attending the University of Kentucky. The WWF always reported that they met in the uni gym, whilst others believe that Elizabeth was a "ring rat" who followed him around from venue to venue. However, the most reliable sources report that during her degree in communications, Elizabeth worked as a intern at a TV station in Somerset. Whilst there she worked as a camera operator who helped to shoot promos and interviews for Angelo Poffo's ICW. Eventually, Elizabeth began to do interview work on camera and was also responsible to doing the rundowns of each show. As time went on, Elizabeth and Randy became increasingly fond of each other and eventually married in December 30, 1984 in Frankfort, Kentucky.