Her biological father was a consul of 4 AD, Sextus Aelius Catus, while her mother is unknown.

She was born into the family of the Aelii Tuberones, and thus apparently descended from the consul of 11 BC, Q. Aelius Tubero.

Claudius divorced Paetina after October of 31 AD, when her adoptive brother fell from power and was murdered.

Narcissus also stated that Paetina would cherish Antonia in addition to Claudia Octavia and Britannicus, Claudius’ children with Messalina.

The third freedman, Marcus Antonius Pallas, recommended Claudius' niece and Caligula's sister Agrippina the Younger, who also had a child from a previous marriage, the future Emperor Nero.