[1][2] Born in Edinburgh to Harry Rothwell and Martha (née Goedecke), her mother was Germany.
[3] During World War II, Rothwell and her mother were evacuated to a farm in the hills until the birth of her sister in 1945.
[3] In 1957, Rothwell entered the Home Civil Service Fast Stream after studying classics at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
[3] Her diplomatic assignments included positions in Strasbourg with the UK Delegation to the Council of Europe, Kenya, Washington, D.C., and Finland.
[3] She continued her involvement with the Foreign Office Association after retirement, serving as editor of its newspaper.