Her mother's name was Margaret Tribe, and her father was Francis (Frank) Kelly, who was a chiropractor and World War Two veteran.
[2][better source needed] She matriculated from St Dominic's Priory College in North Adelaide in 1974 and, after missing out on a cadetship at The Advertiser, a couple of years later went to the University of Adelaide,[1] completing an arts degree and majoring in literature and classics[3] while also being involved in the women's movement, theatre and music.
In Melbourne she fronted an all-female band called Toxic Shock, which released a single, "Intoxicated" in 1981.
[9][10][11] This prompted a public debate about the apparent ageist attitudes and discrimination towards older women in the media.
[14][11] Frankly debuted on ABC TV on 7 October 2022 with Shaun Micallef, Richard Harris and Kirsten Banks appearing as Kelly's first guests.
[17] In February 2024, Noongar journalist and TV presenter Narelda Jacobs appeared with Pasifika New Zealander drag artist Kween Kong on the show.