Mariane van Neyenhoff was born in [[Clichy, Hauts-de-Seine]], France, to a Dutch-Jewish father and Cuban mother of [[Afro-Cuban|Afro]]-[[Chinese Cubans|Chinese-Cuban]]- descent. Her paternal grandfather was a diamond merchant in the Netherlands.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/06/books/widow-but-spare-pity-resisting-pressure-sentimentalize-over-daniel-pearl.html?pagewanted=2&src=pm | work=The New York Times | title=A Widow, But Spare The Pity; Resisting Pressure To Sentimentalize Over Daniel Pearl | date=6 October 2003}}</ref><ref name="Strength"/><ref name="McAlpin"/><ref name="OHehir"/> Mariane and her brother Satchi Van Neyenhoff were raised in Paris, where they both started their careers. Satchi Van Neyenhoff became a [[Sound editor (filmmaking)|sound editor]].<ref name="Strength"/><ref name="Satchi"/>
Van Neyenhoff started in journalism. She became a reporter for international ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'' magazine. In addition, she had a column with the magazine, known as the ''Global Diary Column.'' She explored aspects of globalization as seen through fashion and its business elements.
