Dumitru was a philosopher, sociologist, publicist, translator of Vasile Conta's work into French, and her mother, known to have collected "one of the most valuable libraries of the time" was a pianist connoisseur of universal music and literature.

[2] She spent her childhood and adolescence in Tescani and was schooled at home by governesses, who helped Maria acquire "a vast culture through reading, correspondence and travel.

She moved in Romania's highest aristocratic circles and befriended by Matila Ghyka, Jean Chryssoveloni, Martha Bibescu, Cella Delavrancea, Nae Ionescu and Alice Voinescu.

[2] During World War I, she was a central figure in a scandal at an Iași hospital, where she was among those who had forced wounded soldiers to perform for her and her guests during banquets.

In February 1918, she was one of a group of female aristocrats who, supported by the queen, participated in a demonstration against the war policy of Prime Minister General Alexandru Averescu.