Her father was Otacilius Severus or Severianus, who served as Roman Governor of Macedonia and Moesia, while her mother was either a member of or related to the gens Marcia.

[3] In February 244, the emperor Gordianus died in Mesopotamia; it is suspected in the sources that he was murdered, and there is a possibility that Severa was involved in the conspiracy.

Her husband Philip became the new emperor, giving Gordian a proper funeral and returning his ashes to Rome for burial.

[4] Philip gave Severa the honorific title of Augusta and had their son made heir of the purple.

Severa was in Rome; when the news of her husband's death arrived, their son was murdered by the Praetorian Guard still in her arms.