Barrett was born in Ynyshir, Rhondda, to Rosina and Donald Booth, a retired coalminer, and went to Porth County School for Girls.

She married Paul "Legs" Barrett,[3] the manager/agent of rock and roll acts such as Shakin' Stevens and the Sunsets.

Barrett was elected to the Welsh National Assembly as the member for Cardiff South and Penarth in May 1999 and was subsequently re-elected twice.

[7] Barrett suggested this might cause future problems with community cohesion and lack of affordable housing.

The pedestrian and cyclist short cut to Cardiff across the barrage finally opened to the public on Friday 27 June 2008.